Microsoft Unveils 8080 Books to Revolutionize Publishing

Microsoft's 8080 Books bridges science, technology, and business, publishing innovative works, reviving classics, and accelerating book-to-market processes.

on Nov 21, 2024

Microsoft has introduced 8080 Books, a new publishing imprint dedicated to producing works at “the intersection of science, technology, and business”. According to its website, its goal is to share innovative ideas, original research, and insights.

The imprint’s inaugural title, No Prize for Pessimism by deputy CTO Sam Schillace, was released on November 12. Platform Mindset by Marcus Fontoura, previously published in Portuguese, will follow later this year with English rights acquired by 8080.

Steve Clayton, Microsoft's VP of communications strategy, has been named as publisher, while Greg Shaw, senior director of CEO communications, takes on the role of founding editor. Shaw, who coauthored Satya Nadella's Hit Refresh, brings extensive experience to the imprint.

Unlike Microsoft Press, which focuses on technical manuals, 8080 Books will publish works exploring topics like “technology and the future; business process and productivity, and societal priorities in law, ethics, and policy”. Additionally, it plans to revive out-of-print works.

Imprint which takes its name from an early 8080 microprocessor, aims to accelerate book publishing lag by reducing the gap between manuscript completion and market availability. In a mission statement, Clayton and Shaw emphasized their commitment to democratizing publishing and added that “Technology has quickened the pace of almost every industry except publishing”.