Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Douglas King. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Douglas, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

Because we now live in a digital age, the general population believes that print material is dead. This is far from the case. It never fails that when I tell someone that I am a publisher they look at me kind of sad and say, “Oh, isn’t print dead?” This attitude generally comes from a place of ignorance or having read something online and thought it was true.

In fact, in 2019 the total number of new books published throughout the world was 1,668,333 million. One factor that has caused this high number is the growth of self-publishing. According to recent Bowker data, self-publishing has expanded to the point that it has passed the one million mark for the first time (per annum). This equates to an average of over 2,700 new books being launched every day.

Have there been contractions in the publishing industry? Absolutely, just as in other industries, but print is certainly not dead. Long live print.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My company Day III Productions is what is known as a hybrid publisher. This means that we work with our authors to publish the best book possible and are paid to do so. All of my titles are profitable for me as a publisher before I sell the first copy. I then work very hard to ensure that my authors not only recoup their initial investment but profit as well. This in turn can mean additional revenue for my company.

It is important to note the differences between a hybrid publisher, like myself, and a vanity publisher. A vanity publisher takes the author’s money, helps them to have their book published, and then leaves the author with a garage of books for the author to have to figure out how to sell. I DO NOT do this.

Every title we release is distributed through our distributor in Chicago who makes sure the book is available to Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, over 3,400 independent booksellers as well as Amazon. I advertise my author’s books in catalogs that are sent to booksellers nationwide, and I work hard to set up book signing events and speaking engagements for my authors where they can sell books.

I consider every one of my authors a partner and am as vested in their success as if I had written the book myself.

I am proud of the fact that many of my authors have returned to work with me for additional titles they have written. I count many of my authors as friends as well as colleagues.

I am currently in production on a monograph for Philip J. Romano, the founder of Fuddruckers, Macaroni Grill, Nick and Sam’s, and dozens of other restaurant concepts. I met Romano after he saw the work I had done for one of his business partners, JD Miller, on a 400-page career retrospective of his artwork.

I am extremely proud of this book and because of it, Romano and Lea Fisher asked me to publish their books. I am also proud of the work I did publishing a book for one of the founders of Global Views the international home décor company. My publishing work has been distributed in 16 countries around the world and sold thousands of copies.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2004 I launched a quarterly magazine titled HAWAIIAN STYLE. This magazine was basically like ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST but with the primary focus on the architecture and interior design of the homes in the Hawaiian Islands. The publication was distributed in Barnes and Noble nationwide and in books stores around the world.

In 2008 the economy crashed. I lost 60% of my advertisers in one year and there were simply no new companies opening during this recession. I was forced to close the publication.

From that experience, I helped launch another home architecture and design publication in Dallas, Texas. With the success of that magazine, I pivoted into publishing fine coffee table books for artists, interior designers, architects, and more.

Just because one door, or in this case, magazine ends, that does not mean I have to get out of publishing. I simply regrouped, focused on what people wanted to read and learn about and publish material that meets the needs of the audience.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As a gallery-represented artist myself, I have a deep desire to see the work of talented artists receive the attention they deserve. I know the struggle of breaking into the “art world” of galleries, exhibits, and juried shows. I understand the desperation that can come from working so diligently on your craft and yet not receiving any recognition, let alone sales.

With this in mind, I launched ART FOLIO in 2019. ART FOLIO is a publication that can finally shine a light and acknowledge artists whose work is incredible and deserves to be recognized and rewarded. The annual publication provides a print platform to showcase the work of artists and present that work in the finest manner to gallery directors, curators, and art collectors.

My mission is to provide exposure for artists to an international audience, the type of audience that can change an art career.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dayiiiprod.com
• Instagram: @DougKing5150
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-king-1138a940/