But who will take responsibility for organising trade-wide, cross-retail book events? The BA? Don't make me laugh. The idea of a 'Super Thursday' has been around for a few years now according to a search on this site. It is a pity that it has taken three years for someone in the trade to think 'holy crap - we should probably do something with this'. Same applies to the Christmas number one - although William Hill and Waterstone's have been 'joined-up' on this for years.

You are absolutely right about Super Thursday. Some years ago while various steering groups were in discussions over Bookaholism the Guardian et al were devoting acres of print coverage to Super Thursday, an entirely made up notion. could the trade be bothered to get behind this free promotion and run with it. of course not, they just moaned about too many books all coming out at the same time.

"Dominic Myers has called on the book industry to collaborate in creating more nationwide events like World Book Night in order to enhance the dialogue around books"

Of course, public libraries have been doing this for years, with the valuable leadership, support and co-ordination of Reading Partners. How ironic that the bookselling industry is looking to libraries for ideas on promotion - at a time when our government has decided that anyone with a bit of time on their hands can run a library...

The record industry manages to organise an annual independent record shop day, with special releases only available on the day from those shops - how about something similar for independent bookshops? Bookbuyers may be less likely to buy limited editions than CD buyers but there must be some overlap...I am currently overwhelmed by emails from publishers with suggestions about organising readings for Independent Booksellers week. A combination of readings plus special editions would perhaps work better?

I would have thought that, as captain of the ship, Dominic Myers would have chosen to stay at the helm and give encouragement to his crew in these times - master mate says not a recent word has been heard from the 'old man' until this BIC exhortation.

Alex Ingram wants to re-arrange front of W shops to digital...anybody would think that all jobs are secure, W shops are fully stocked, and everything is hunk dory

Presumably these musings are to deflect from the likely CVA.

Waterstone's themselves had said it is having difficulty with the notion and implementation of providing a download service in all of their stores... having a digital section front-of-store will drive people to amazon because, quite simply, that brand and the Kindle are known more. Simple fact.
People come in and ask us if we sell the Kindle.
We say no, we stock the sony reader, and they have a look and then leave. We know full well they are going home to go online and will ultimately go to Amazon.
Until stores provide an in-store downloadable service, Waterstone's are dead.

"Waterstones saved buy cull of authors..." Sorry, is this "The Day Today"? Why does an author have to die for Waterstones to be able to get their books in quickly? And if it can do it for the dead, why can't it do it for the living?

Just spotted this post. Good to see that someone who has obviously been at the 'coalface' for many years appreciates that many people enjoy reading about sport. For people who have joined the trade more recently, the Rothmans is now sponsored by Sky. And for those really old people who remember the publication of the original football annual – shortly to be in its 125th edition – it's now the Nationwide. (previously the News of the World annual).

Here's some joined-up thinking: Waterstone's sales are down and Dominic is the MD, so let's replace him with a new one. Mr Daunt? That'll do nicely.

Until he comes back as head of books for HMV-oer!