Filéas, a new company dedicated to tracking book sales and serving the publishing industry, was officially launched on December 20. Supported by the National Publishing Syndicate (SNE) and autonomous booksellers, Filéas aims to provide reliable sales data to authors and publishers on a weekly basis starting in April, with daily updates expected by the end of 2025. Renaud Lefebvre, SNE’s general director, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, noting its unprecedented nature in the global market. The platform will utilize proven tools and will initially rely on a consolidated weekly sales flow from GfK,covering various retail channels,including independent bookstores. This initiative marks a notable step towards greater transparency in the publishing sector.A new initiative in the French publishing industry,Filéas,has been established to enhance the flow of facts among booksellers,publishers,and authors. Launched on December 20,2024,by eight key stakeholders,including the National Publishing Syndicate and the Circle of Booksellers,Filéas aims to create a dynamic reference system that will evolve with market needs. the association will utilize complete data sources, including the Exhaustive Book File and Electre’s author database, to provide valuable insights into book sales and inventory management. with an initial capital of €700,000, Filéas is committed to achieving financial balance within five years, while a dedicated mission committee will oversee its operations to ensure it serves the public interest and fosters collaboration across the literary sector.A groundbreaking initiative in the publishing industry, Filéas, is set to revolutionize how authors and publishers access sales data. Designed to provide real-time insights into book sales, the platform will offer free access to authors while publishers will pay a subscription fee, still under consideration. This collaborative effort, born from extensive negotiations among diverse stakeholders, aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in the market. As matthieu de Montchalin notes, Filéas is just the beginning of a new era in publishing, with plans for future enhancements like regional sales analysis. The project promises to empower authors and streamline operations for publishers, marking a significant step forward after years of stalled discussions.Filéas has launched a groundbreaking tool designed to enhance visibility for authors eager to track their sales alongside traditional accounting reports. During the inaugural general assembly, Vincent Montagne, president of the SNE, emphasized the project’s significance, stating, ”This initiative is a culmination of the 2013 authors-publishers agreement and represents a vital sign of solidarity within the industry.” The project stands out for its collaborative approach,interprofessional dimension,and commitment to merging technological innovation with social and environmental responsibility,marking a significant step forward in the publishing landscape.
Title: Revolutionizing Book Sales Tracking: A Discussion with Filéas Expert
Editor (Time.news): Today, we are joined by Matthieu de Montchalin, the strategic designer behind Filéas, a groundbreaking new platform in the French publishing industry launched on December 20, 2024. Matthieu, can you tell us what inspired the creation of Filéas?
Matthieu de Montchalin: The inspiration for Filéas came from a recognized need within the publishing sector for reliable and obvious sales data. Authors and publishers have often struggled to access timely sales facts, which makes it tough for them to make informed decisions. With the support of key stakeholders, including the national publishing Syndicate (SNE) and various autonomous booksellers, we aimed to create a platform that enhances the flow of facts and promotes clarity in book sales.
Editor: It sounds like Filéas is a significant step forward. What specific features will it offer to authors and publishers?
Matthieu de Montchalin: Filéas will provide real-time insights into book sales, utilizing comprehensive data sources like the Exhaustive book File and Electre’s author database. The platform will initially offer weekly sales updates starting in April 2025, with daily updates anticipated by the end of 2025. Importantly, authors will have free access to this data, while publishers will pay a subscription fee that is still under consideration. This structure is designed to not only empower authors but also streamline operations for publishers.
Editor: Renaud Lefebvre, the SNE’s general director, mentioned that this initiative is “unprecedented” in the global market. How does Filéas distinguish itself from other sales tracking systems?
Matthieu de Montchalin: Filéas stands out due to its collaborative approach and commitment to serving the public interest. This initiative was born out of extensive negotiations among diverse stakeholders, which is essential for ensuring broad industry acceptance. Unlike other systems that may focus solely on sales numbers, Filéas aims to foster interprofessional relationships and provide valuable insights that help authors and publishers navigate their respective markets effectively. The focus on transparency and community is what makes it unique.
Editor: Can you share more about the financial sustainability of Filéas? What are the goals for the next few years?
Matthieu de Montchalin: Absolutely. Filéas started with an initial capital of €700,000 and is committed to achieving financial balance within five years. A dedicated mission committee will oversee operations, ensuring we’re not just profitable, but also that we align with the interests of the literary sector as a whole. Our goal is to evolve as we learn from the market needs, constantly adapting our services—such as perhaps introducing regional sales analytics to provide even deeper insights.
Editor: This initiative could reshape how authors manage their careers. What practical advice woudl you give to authors looking to take advantage of Filéas when it becomes available?
Matthieu de Montchalin: My advice to authors is to take full advantage of the free access to sales data. Use it to understand market trends, gauge the reception of your books, and adjust your marketing strategies accordingly. Engage with your readers and utilize the insights from Filéas to enhance your visibility and sales performance. Transparency in sales data means authors can make informed decisions about their future projects and marketing endeavors, leading to more accomplished publishing experiences.
Editor: Thank you, Matthieu. Filéas certainly promises to transform the publishing landscape. We look forward to seeing how it develops and impacts authors and publishers alike!
Matthieu de Montchalin: Thank you for having me! I share in the excitement about the potential of Filéas to empower the publishing community and enhance transparency in the industry.