Topic selection is the first process of editing and publishing, and it is a creative work with important guiding function, which can not only affect the quality of publications, but also affect the operating conditions of publishing houses. The quality of the topic is very important, just like dressing buttons. The first button is wrong, and the rest are wrong, which is "in vain". Therefore, all publishing houses attach great importance to this work. In my opinion, the key at present is to improve the level of argumentation and decision-making, so as to ensure the quality of topic selection and avoid mistakes as much as possible.

First, the guiding ideology of topic selection should be clear.

Practice has proved that it is very important to define the direction and quality of topic selection according to the national publishing policy, policy and orientation, the development direction of the industry and the demand for publishing resources, and the advantages and characteristics of our society. In 1980s, on the basis of summing up historical experience and market research, People's Health Publishing House further clarified the guiding ideology of selecting topics and publishing books: highlighting characteristics, giving full play to advantages, grasping key points and producing more good books. Focus on medical and health books with "high grade, high quality, high practical value and long edition" ("three highs and one long edition") to better serve the front line of medical treatment, teaching, scientific research and rural health work and the development of health undertakings. Therefore, the topic selection of the backbone engineering books of the "eight departments" was planned. Over the years, the books that People's Health Publishing House won the National Book Award and the National Excellent Science and Technology Book Award are all in these eight departments, as well as brand books, best-selling books and profitable books, which have achieved good social and economic benefits and exerted great influence in the science and technology publishing industry.

At present, there are some phenomena in the publishing industry, such as "too many mediocre topics, too many mediocre books" and "too many varieties and poor benefits", which are the important reasons for the poor management of some publishing houses. In my opinion, the guiding ideology of selecting a topic and publishing a book at present should be clearly defined as: ① the transformation from low efficiency of multiple varieties to high efficiency of fewer varieties. I'd rather have less, but better. ② Cherish old brands. Organize revision in time to prevent obsolescence, aging and elimination and stabilize the original market share. ③ Concentrate on building new brands and creating new masterpieces handed down from generation to generation. We should resist mediocrity, reject sameness and create new brands.

Second, improve the system of topic selection and argumentation.

Many publishing houses have set up topic selection argumentation committees (or groups) and formulated corresponding topic selection argumentation systems and regulations to strictly control the topic selection of the whole society and make scientific decisions to ensure the quality of topic selection. For example, the topic selection committee of some publishing houses consists of social leaders, directors of editorial departments (rooms), senior editors, directors of sales departments and publishing departments. , and regularly or irregularly held a topic demonstration meeting to fully demonstrate the topic. Editors should be given appropriate autonomy when choosing topics that have not been adopted at the meeting. Other publishing houses have defined the "fields" of topics according to their actual situation and development needs, that is, which fields to maintain or expand, which fields to enter or develop, and which fields to restrict or prohibit. In short, each publishing house has its own system, practices and regulations for reference.

In the previous editing practice, I realized that there is a big flaw in the topic selection theory, that is, there is no scientific topic selection prediction system, so the topic selection passed is still blind. In my opinion, this forecasting system should at least include the following aspects: ① book demand forecasting, including the minimum demand for books and the market demand potential forecasting. (2) Book sales forecast, including the forecast of book sales volume and book sales life. (3) Book cost forecast, that is, management expenses, printing expenses, sales expenses, etc. As the basis for calculating the book cost. (4) Book profit forecast, that is, according to the estimated sales amount and cost amount of this topic, predict its profit amount.

Third, the argument information of the topic should be sufficient.

There is an important premise to improve the level of argumentation decision-making, that is, the evidence and information provided by editors should be sufficient and specific. At the symposium, the editor can reasonably answer the questions raised by the discussant or provide relevant data. I think there should be at least the following contents: ① the background and ideas of the topic; ② Market research; (3) main readers and both readers; (4) the author's situation; ⑤ The overall framework, main contents and characteristics of the topic; ⑥ Publication of similar books in the market; ⑦ Book length, print run, pricing and cost forecast; (8) Estimation of book sales; Pet-name ruby book profit and loss forecast; Attending the promotion plan; Risk responsibility, etc.

Fourth, supervise the implementation of the selected topic.

In the process of topic selection, local changes are inevitable. But the overall goal, overall structure and basic requirements of the topic cannot be changed at will. This requires supervisors to avoid becoming a mere formality in topic selection and argumentation. This work is generally undertaken by the editor-in-chief office. When selecting a topic, the editor-in-chief should record in detail the demonstration of the topic and the conditions for the topic to pass; After the topic is approved, the editor-in-chief should effectively supervise the implementation process. So as to ensure that the selected topics implemented are basically the same as those approved by the demonstration.