A core text such as Heinemann s Atlas edited by Melbourne teacher Ray Pask would sell nationally 45,000 a year. Sadler, Hayllar and Powells series have dominated the core English text market since publishing with Macmillan in the 1970s. Accounting texts by Kirkwood s co-writers are state specific best sellers and Coupes history texts are national best sellers. Bahasa Tetanggaku series is a leading Indonesian text and LOTE books are booming. Major textbook publishers include Heinemann, Longman, Jacaranda, Macmillan and Rigby while small desktop publishers create specific subject lists.
Publishers approach leading practitioners and teams of up to five co-authors are commissioned.
Publishers need quick books for rapid syllabus changes to get ahead of their competitors. Due to time constraints, complex curricula and the wider choice of alternative topics which demand differing expertise, it would be hard for an author to research all options. Textbook writers are often teachers,subject coordinators and curriculum committee members and have advance knowledge of changes. They may not need to do additional research, but other specialists research avidly. A niche publisher Hospitality Press caters for T.A.F.E. hospitality students.