> I really don't understand their business model, though, nor the incentives for their authors and editorial staff I believe the business model is "sell a few

> I really don't understand their business model, though, nor the incentives for their authors and editorial staff I believe the business model is "sell a few thousand expensive hardbacks to university libraries to cover publishing costs". Authors tend not to make any money (unless they book happens to be particularly successful, which happens rarely), and are incentivised by the desire to spread knowledge. Many are academics who are paid by their employers to write books amongst other activities.