Microsoft has launched a new publishing imprint, 8080 Books, which plans to "publish original research, ideas, and insights at the intersection of science, technology, and business," according to its website. Per Geekwire, 8080 Books will be distributed by Ingram.
The imprint's inaugural title, No Prize for Pessimism by Microsoft deputy chief technology officer Sam Schillace, was published on November 12. Its second planned book, Platform Mindset by Microsoft alum Marcus Fontoura, will be released later this year; it was previously published in Portuguese in Brazil, with 8080 acquiring English rights, reports Geekwire.
Microsoft VP of communications strategy Steve Clayton has been named as the imprint's publisher, and Microsoft senior director of CEO communications Greg Shaw serves as founding editor. (Shaw also coauthored Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's 2017 book Hit Refresh, published by Harper Business.)
While the company's longstanding publishing arm, Microsoft Press, focuses on technical manuals, the first batch of 8080 Books titles will explore such subjects as "technology and the future; business process and productivity, and societal priorities in law, ethics, and policy," per the website. The imprint, which takes its name from an early microprocessor, is "especially interested in new and nontraditional writers and thinkers," and will "also seek to reissue significant works and out-of-print books that are relevant to our communities."
8080 Books is a nonprofit endeavor, as Microsoft plans to "cover the costs of utilizing publishing professionals and donate the remaining revenue to nonprofits through Microsoft Philanthropies."
The imprint also seeks to "accelerate and democratize book publishing" by "shortening the lag between the final manuscript and the book’s arrival in the marketplace," write Clayton and Shaw in a mission statement. They added: "Technology has quickened the pace of almost every industry except publishing."
