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The article discusses the impact of rising costs and supply shortages of paper on publishers in the U.S. Topics covered include increase in price of paper per ton, according to a report by printer Quad Graphics, factors contributing to the reduction in paper supply such as shutdown of some Canadian paper mills and reduced imports from China, factors driving up paper prices, and the need for U.S. publishers to look for alternative sources of paper.

The article reveals that soaring costs of paper and energy are forcing publishers to reexamine ways to keep costs from spiraling out of control. Simon & Schuster (S&S) chief executive officer (CEO) Carolyn Reidy said the escalating prices have made S&S take a fresh look at the way they do business. One large publisher that had a $2-million increase in freight surcharges last year said costs are already running 10% over 2008. Penguin Book Group USA CEO David Shanks believes that the different cost pressures eventually will lead to higher prices.

Reports on the pressure in book prices due to the increase in paper and printing costs in the U.S. in March 2005. Price increase in backlist titles, according to Jack Romanos, CEO of Simon & Schuster; Expectations of manufacturers and publishers on the state of the industry; Percentage increase in volume posted by printer Quebecor in the last quarter of 2004.