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New Canadian booksellers association established
Member Shelley Macbeth, owner of Blue Heron Books in Ontario, said the organization’s platform is to “advocate, educate, communicate.”
Hot Sheet Index: August 5, 2020
The Hot Sheet Index reviewed the print bestsellers for 2020 so far. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins had the top spot.
New digital publisher NeoText to publish short-form works
NeoText will publish works ranging from science fiction and noir novellas to investigative journalism and narrative nonfiction.
Closing Image: August 5, 2020
According to NPD BookScan, ebook unit sales increased by 31 percent in April 2020 compared to ebook unit sales for March 2020.
Scribd increases its appeal to Mexican and Latin American subscribers
Scribd now offers 1,000 titles from Mexico-based Grupo Planeta in their Spanish-language subscription service in Mexico and Latin America.
US book sales continue their upward trajectory; big-box stores are helping
Through July 25, US print unit sales are up by 4.1 percent versus 2019, according to NPD BookScan.
Traditional publishers have mixed results in the first half of 2020
Earnings reports are trickling in for the publicly traded publishers, and the results don’t look too bad for trade (consumer) publishers.
Traditional publishers may have to quickly find new printing and distribution partners as the country’s largest printer moves through bankruptcy
There’s a risk that book publishers may have to scramble to find new printers if the bankruptcy of LSC takes a bad turn.
Crooked Lane books launches a new imprint
Alcove will focus on book club fiction exploring family, friendship, and communities. Its first titles release this fall.
A controversial op-ed calls for libraries to place restrictions on commercial fiction borrowing
Publisher, author, and journalist Kenneth Whyte blames libraries for the declining fortunes of independent and chain bookstores.
How COVID-19 Has Transformed US Book Sales—and What’s Next
Trade book publishing is now seeing its best unit sales since 2010, but some categories are performing better than others.
Amazon Advertising Offers New Metric for KDP Authors
Authors who pay for advertising on Amazon can now see the effect on pages read through Kindle Unlimited—a potential gamechanger.
The Internet Archive versus Book Publishers: A Battle over the Future of Copyright Law
Several US publishers filed a lawsuit against Internet Archive over its provocative move to establish an online National Emergency Library.
New music imprint announced at Bonnier Books UK
The imprint will publish memoirs, musical social histories, and first-person narratives from well-established writers, musicians, and commentators.
PublishDrive extends the functionality of Abacus
Abacus, a royalty tracker, can now accept sales reports from IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, Kobo, Google, and Apple Books.
Arcadia rolls out a new children’s series: Spooky America
Eight titles for middle-grade readers will release on Sept. 7, all adapted from Arcadia’s existing Haunted America series for adults.
Donald Trump Jr. announces he’s self-publishing his next book
Apparently Trump Jr. did have an offer from his Big Five publisher for his next book, but he decided to go it alone.
Big Five publishers—not known for rapid change—experience unprecedented turnover in leadership
The New York Times looks at the recent hires and new leadership at the biggest publishers in the country, noting that “everything is up for change.”
An important change to copyright registration procedure for short works published online
US-based authors can now register up to 50 short works published online with the US Copyright Office for a single flat fee of $65.
The US publishing supply chain has been saved in part by Ingram, says Mike Shatzkin
Publishers’ ability to keep fulfilling orders during the pandemic has relied heavily on Ingram’s Guaranteed Availability Program.
Audio Revenue Predicted to Overtake Ebook Sales by 2023
Audiobook industry leaders believe the potential market is about 50 percent of the fiction market, as it is now in Sweden.
Wattpad suffers a data breach
The company says that no financial information, stories, private messages, or phone numbers were accessed during the incident.
Publishers Who Continually Refresh and Improve Metadata Enjoy Better Book Sales—Especially at Amazon
Because percentage of online book purchases increased from 20 to 50 percent the last decade, online product listings are just as important.
Several publishers and authors file lawsuit against Kiss Library
A group of authors and publishers jointly filed suit against Ukraine-based Kiss Library, alleging that the site flagrantly pirates ebooks.
UK Book Sales Appear to Be Worse Off Than US Sales
The year started off positive: the first quarter saw 3 percent growth in UK’s unit sales. But that growth started to decline in February.
The National Book Awards will be virtual this year
The prestige black-tie event held every fall (envision the Academy Awards, but for books) has become an online-only event.
Three literary organizations launch the Literary Arts Emergency Fund
The fund will provide $3.5 million to nonprofit literary publishers and organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two new imprints at Penguin Random House: Tiny Reparations Books and Flamingo
Founded by comedian Phoebe Robinson, Tiny Reparations Books will publish both literary fiction and nonfiction.
New Age publisher Inner Traditions expands its publishing program
It now has a tenth imprint, Sacred Planet Books, that will publish eight to 12 titles a year.
Hot Sheet Index: July 22, 2020
The Hot Sheet Index reviewed Amazon’s digital marketing share for each year since 2016 and up to it’s projected share for 2021.
Kobo Plus launches in Canada
Launched in 2017, Kobo Plus is an all-you-can-read ebook subscription service, which until now was only available in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Closing Image: July 22, 2020
As Google ad revenue declines in 2020, partly due to the collapse of the travel industry, Amazon is seeing significant growth.
NetGalley launches a mobile app, adds audiobook distribution
NetGalley, the paid service used by publishers primarily to circulate advance review copies, has rolled out an app for Apple and Android.
Simon & Schuster sets sales record with Mary Trump’s book
After releasing two weeks earlier than planned, Too Much and Never Enough by Mary Trump set a company record.
Canada’s bookstore chain, Indigo, continues to struggle
CEO Heather Reisman blamed the lack of a breakout book to bring customers into stores.
Book sales update: print unit sales up 2 percent versus 2019
Print unit sales have been up versus 2019—and the week ending June 20 was the best performing week of the year so far.
Barnes & Noble lays off buyers and implements new buying policies
The store’s statement reads, “As with so many companies, we evaluate our needs in circumstances much changed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Mary Trump’s tell-all will now release two weeks earlier, on July 14
Simon & Schuster lawyers say the publisher is not a party to and is not bound by any confidentiality agreement with the Trump family.
Book Sales in 2020: Where We’re At, Where We’re Headed
Unsurprisingly, the pandemic has improved sales in children’s educational titles as well as in financial and domestic sustainability.
Eight Black publishing professionals speak out about their experience in the industry
Some of the most notable responses come from those working inside the Big Five.
Harassment Allegations Surface (or Resurface) across the Writing Community
Sexual harassment and assault has occurred at industry conventions, conferences, and other networking events, leading to calls for policy change.
Amazon launches Counterfeit Crimes Unit
Amazon has faced criticism that it doesn’t adequately deal with the fake, illegitimate, and counterfeit products on its site sold by third parties.
The Library-Publisher Relationship: Will It Be Forced to Transform As a Result of COVID-19?
The pandemic has also resurfaced the ongoing tension between libraries and publishers when it comes to digital lending models.
150 authors, journalists, and intellectual luminaries sign a letter on “justice and open debate”
The letter mentions—without naming names—editors or researchers being fired, and authors or publishers withdrawing books from publication.
Get your bookish face masks
As part of its merchandising arm, Out of Print, Penguin Random House has released seven book-themed face masks.
New literary agency: Book Wyrm
It is founded by Sandy Lu, who was with the L. Perkins Agency for nearly 12 years.