Chicago Tribune Unveils Printers Row

By: Press Release

(CHICAGO - Jan. 24, 2012) - The Chicago Tribune today unveiled Printers Row, a new membership-driven literary offering for those seeking richer coverage of book reviews, authors, discussions and original stories — all in celebration of the written word.
 
Printers Row is a book lover's dream, offering its members a wellspring of literary news, insights and perks.  Members receive the Printers Row Journal, a 24-page weekly supplement with in-depth interviews, author profiles, book reviews and special reports on Chicago and Midwest writers.  Each weekly journal is accompanied by a bonus booklet of original fiction.  In addition, membership in Printers Row provides exclusive benefits including VIP access to authors during live events, as well as members-only forums and online discussions.  
 
A sampling of Sunday Chicago Tribune subscribers will receive a complimentary preview issue of the new Printers Row Journal on Jan. 29; at that time, a digital issue will also be accessible at www.chicagotribune.com/printersrow.
 
The inaugural member issue of the Printers Row Journal will be available on Sunday, Feb. 26, along with news and information on members-only events, author discussions and other programs.  Moving forward, Printers Row members will be able to download digital editions of all journals compatible with popular personal devices and e-readers.  
 
Printers Row launches at a time when many newspapers across the U.S. are scaling back the number of printed pages of news and features or experiencing significant shifts in delivery to digital platforms.  Printers Row comes to market as a niche membership program with a special Sunday print section and digital edition, highlighted by guest authors and writers, such as Chicago native and 2011 Nelson Algren Award recipient Billy Lombardo, and favorite Tribune columnists including Julia Keller, cultural critic; Elizabeth Taylor, literary editor; Chris Jones, theater critic; and Rick Kogan, veteran columnist, author and host of WGN-AM Radio shows "The Sunday Papers" and "Chicago Live!."
 
"Printers Row is a bold innovation that serves a community that is passionate about literature and reading," said Gerould Kern, editor. "More than a newspaper section, Printers Row is a unique approach that connects people through print, digital and live events. It represents a new way to reach and satisfy audiences with very specific interests."

Printers Row breaks new ground as it becomes a first-of-its-kind in the newspaper industry to use a membership approach in attracting a base of book lovers and serious readers, providing them with a program of benefits that brings books, literature and ideas around the written word to life.
 
Additional member benefits include: early notification and free tickets to monthly Printers Row Live author conversations, members-only discussions of books and literature, members-only author reception and ideas exchange at the annual Printers Row Lit Fest, and behind-the-scenes tours of Chicago‚s literary landmarks.
 
The first phase of Printers Row will roll out to current subscribers and those seeking to subscribe to the Chicago Tribune.   Current subscribers may join Printers Row for $99 per year; new subscribers can become members for $149 per year, which includes a year's subscription to the Chicago Tribune Sunday print edition.  Non-members can also purchase single copies of the Printers Row Journal e-book for $2.99 via Amazon.com.  Other member benefits do not apply.
 
For more information or to see the introductory copy of the Printers Row Journal, visit www.chicagotribune.com/printersrow.
 
Printers Row is part of a year-long series of literary programming by the Chicago Tribune, including the Midwest‚s largest book fair, Printers Row Lit Fest; the Chicago Tribune Literary Awards and Heartland Awards for lifetime achievement and emerging authors writing of the nation's heartland; and Printers Row Live, monthly conversations with authors of note.
 
About Chicago Tribune Media Group:
Chicago Tribune Media Group is a media and business services company that publishes the Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago Tribune. CTMG also produces related print and interactive media serving Chicagoland like RedEye, Hoy, Chicago Magazine, Naperville Magazine, TribLocal, TheMash, chicagotribune.com, chicagonow.com and metromix.com. Reaching 4.8 million adults each week in the greater Chicago area, CTMG is the leading news and information destination in Chicagoland.