Medium pivots again, offers all employees a buyout
In a letter to employees, Medium founder Ev Williams confessed that the business strategy of focusing on branded publications has not worked.
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Book Sales Update: March 31, 2021
Through March 13, 2021, print unit sales were up 23.9 percent over the same period in 2020, according to NPD BookScan.
Backlist drives print sales gains in 2021
In 2020, sales were driven by backlist; the same trend is now shaping 2021. So far this year, print book sales are up by 22 percent.
The PRO Act: The Danger to Freelance Writers and Editors
The strict ABC employment test in the proposed PRO Act could erode freelancer rights and opportunities.
Books See People Through Hard Times: Publishers Upbeat in 2021
The pandemic has brought a peak in book sales—both print and audio—that continues even as readers resume their normal lives.
As the Printing and Paper Market Tighten, Lead Times and Pricing Increase for Book Publishers
A dearth of manufacturers and workers is contributing to diminished capacity in book printing and paper production.
Literati adds a YA subscription box
Literati was in the news recently for raising $40 million in funding to support its print book subscriptions for children.
Ahab now open to the public
For years, Penguin Random House has been using its own in-house developed platform, Ahab, to find and hire voice actors for its audiobooks.
Scribd starts publishing audiobooks
US-based digital book subscription service Scribd has established its own audiobook imprint, with 40 titles available so far.
Hachette UK launches a new imprint
Brazen is a new imprint that will publish “books to embolden” starting later this year.
Closing Image: March 17, 2021
The Ripped Bodice bookstore recently released their annual report on diversity in romance publishing.
UK author unions to investigate pay-for-play publishers
A British survey aims to learn more about “contributory” publishing, where the author pays for publication.
The Copyright Claims Board now has a website
When the CASE Act passed last year, it put in place a new “small claims court” system at the US Copyright Office.
Diversity in traditional romance publishing remains a problem
Since 2016, The Ripped Bodice bookstore in Los Angeles has published an annual report on racial diversity in romance publishing.
Frankfurt Book Fair announces hybrid event
In November 2020, the Frankfurt Book Fair went through restructuring and layoffs, with a back-to-basics plan announced for 2021.
A new EL James title will be published in June by Sourcebooks
In our last issue, we noted that EL James has moved to Sourcebooks for her entire backlist, starting on April 1.
Woody Allen’s publisher cries infringement
Skyhorse Publishing is upset over a new HBO documentary that includes snippets of Allen’s audiobook (narrated by Allen).
Book sales update: March 3, 2021
Year to date, through the week ending Feb. 22, print book sales are up 20.5 percent over 2020, according to NPD BookScan.
Diverse Millennials Are the Ones to Watch: New Research on Avid Book “Engagers”
A new report on book engagement explodes some myths about book consumption and highlights new paths for book discovery.
Is Clubhouse Worth Your Time? This Writer Says Yes
The buzzworthy social media app offers live, audio-only conversations and remains invite-only, but it’s not hard to get inside—and you’ll find plenty of book-based conversations.
How Bookstores Are Monetizing Online Events
Monetizing events—even via a donation model—can bring in extra income for bookstores that offer engaging and interactive content to attendees
New HarperCollins imprint for fiction
Harper Muse will publish women’s fiction, historical fiction, and southern fiction, with stories that resonate with Millennial and Gen X readers.
A new international literary magazine
Astra Publishing House is launching Astra Quarterly, led by Nadja Spiegelman, who was previously online editor of The Paris Review.
A new series of programs for Black writers and illustrators
We Need Diverse Books, in partnership with Penguin Random House, is launching an annual initiative, Black Creatives Fund.
Trade publishers report 10 percent sales increase in 2020
Members of the Association of American Publishers released preliminary sales figures for the entirety of 2020.
An Austin-based book subscription service raises $40 million
Established in 2017, Literati sends parents a curated box of five children’s books each month, for a monthly membership fee of $9.95.
Author of Fifty Shades trilogy moves to Sourcebooks for her backlist
EL James’s entire backlist (print and ebook editions) will be distributed by Sourcebooks starting on April 1, 2021.
Closing Image: March 3, 2021
According to data from the US Census Bureau, US bookstore sales are down 28.3 percent compared to last year. The cruelest month: April.
Agent Brooks Sherman accused of misconduct, loses his biggest client
The anonymous YA Whispers Twitter account and the website QueryTracker reported complaints coming from clients of agent Brooks Sherman.
Small Publishers Who Successfully Met the Challenges of 2020
For independent houses, success appears to correlate with a cohesive publishing program and direct outreach to readers.
Indie Author Marketing Strategies in 2021
Two experts discuss how the strategy of going wide—selling through multiple retailers—may yield increased and more sustainable income.
How to Ensure Your Online Events Are Accessible
Use the pandemic as an opportunity to make your online presence—including events—more accessible.
New UK literary agency: Two Piers
Former Curtis Brown editor Rufus Purdy has launched an agency based in Brighton.
New agent at The Rights Factory
Kathryn Willms has joined The Rights Factory and represents adult nonfiction.
Milestone Media relaunching its comics program
Founded in 1993, Milestone is a Black-owned publisher known for creating a Black superhero comics universe.
Two new children’s publishing efforts: Red Comet Press and IVP Kids
Red Comet Press is a brand-new children’s publisher that will release three picture books and one illustrated novel for older readers this fall.
Reese Witherspoon’s book club ends Audible partnership, launches app and website
The club that started on Instagram and makes monthly book recommendations has expanded to include a dedicated app and website.
Conservative editor fired from Big Five publisher Hachette
Kate Hartson, an editor with Hachette’s conservative imprint Center Street, was recently fired, she says, for political reasons.
Closing Image: February 17, 2021
The Association of American Publishers released preliminary figures for 2020 sales performance through November.
Agent fired for Parler and Gab accounts
The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency fired one of its agents after it discovered she had accounts on right wing-associated social media sites.
Big Five publishers now defendants in ebook price-fixing lawsuit
Law firm Hagens Berman has filed a new ebook price-fixing suit against Amazon.
School Library Journal cover sparks criticism
A range of librarians and publishing professionals have criticized the School Library Journal for its February 2021 cover.
Book sales update: February 17, 2021
According to NPD BookScan, print unit sales were 21.3 percent higher in January 2021 than in January 2020.
Audible’s ACX to Make Returns Information Available
ACX has also introduced more lenient terms and will let authors out of exclusivity agreements.
Not Just Big in Korea: Why Wattpad’s Acquisition Matters for Book Publishing
Graphic novels, webcomics, and manga are a growing part of the juvenile reading market—and represent a more diverse and global readership.
Amazon Optimization for 2021: Insights from Ingram
Authors and publishers who do the work to optimize keywords on Amazon are more likely to hold sales position and rank over time.