Irish publisher Gill & Macmillan has informed acadmic authors that is is ceasing to commission new third level and professional publications.

In a letter to contributors this week, managing director Dermot O’Dwyer said the decision was based on the declining market for third level texts both domestically and internationally.

As a result of this “we have concluded reluctantly that the revenue potential of this sector of the education market no longer justifies the investment and overhead cost required in publishing,” he said.

“In relation to editions of books currently in print, I am happy to assure you that these will continue to be sold through all existing channels and royalties will continue to be paid in the usual manner. However, no further editions will be undertaken once these editions are deemed out of print.”

Mr O’Dwyer noted that Gill & Macmillan’s schools publishing, trade publishing and distribution operations would not be “affected in any way by this decision and will continue as normal.”

However, the commissioning of new third level and professional books and materials was ceasing with immediate effect, he said.