There has been a shift in literacy culture which is in part fuelled by economics; large chains of book outlets are dominating the market which are successful in presenting mass production and concentrate on best sellers and big author names. Similarly, this situation now applies to other media e.g. cinema.

Consequently, the fine culture of old fashioned booksellers is lost as they cannot compete with this domination.

Many writers are suffering due to the shift of this economic culture thus affecting book runs, emerging new authors and new book titles entering the bookshelves. The Association offers

• Consultancy in finding appropriate publishing houses according to style and genre.
• Consultancy in finding literacy agents.
• Supporting the development of new authors e.g. checking publishing agreements.
• Presenting manuscripts at the important book fairs e.g. Frankfurt Buchmesse.
• Advice and consultancy in literacy work (finding courses, proof readers, publishers).
• Information on competitions and awards.