Hot Sheet Index: July 8, 2020
Hot Sheet Index reviewed audiobook industry sales key points like the number of audiobooks released in 2019 versus 2015.
Premium Content
UK publisher Hodder & Stoughton launches Hodder Studio
Hodder Studio says it “seeks to reimagine storytelling in a way that represents our ever-changing technological and cultural landscape.”
Closing Image: July 8, 2020
In 2019, audiobook growth slowed considerably, declining to 16.4 percent dollar growth versus 34.7 percent in 2018.
Facebook expands its fan subscription program
Facebook has opened up fan subscriptions to any creator in the US, the UK, and several other markets.
Canada’s bookstore chain, Indigo, continues to struggle
CEO Heather Reisman blamed the lack of a breakout book to bring customers into stores.
Hot Sheet Index: June 24, 2020
The Hot Sheet Index reviewed the change in Canadians’ use of audiobooks in 2020 versus the same time in 2018.
Nebula Conference to be held online all year
The annual conference of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America will be transformed into a year-round virtual event.
Closing Image: June 24, 2020
In Press Play, a report that comes out every two years, BookNet Canada released their latest research into audiobook use in Canada.
ALLi partners with literary agency for management and licensing of rights
The partnership with the Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency will assist ALLi members in the management and licensing of rights.
Macmillan creates 13-person committee to run the company
The CEO of Macmillan, John Sargent, is stepping down so that a diverse committee—called the Trade Management Committee—can take his place.
Sasquatch Books launches new YA imprint
Spruce Books will publish visual nonfiction titles for tweens, teenagers, and young adults.
National Book Critics Circle in turmoil over anti-racism statement
The NBCC, an association of American book review editors and critics, saw more than half of its board members resign over the last two weeks.
Denver literary community demands that Tattered Cover do more than apologize
After owners of a Denver bookstore made—then apologized for—a controversial statement regarding Black Lives Matter, two of its booksellers resigned.
American Booksellers Association says it will address issues of race
Next steps include diversifying the board and examining the organization’s policies.
The Poetry Foundation responds to criticism
In our last issue, we wrote about the criticism of the very wealthy Poetry Foundation by its own fellows.
Red Sofa Literary owner threatens to sue departed agents and author
Agent Dawn Frederick has issued a cease-and-desist letter to those who described her actions—calling police on looters—as racist.
The Internet Archive caves and shuts down National Emergency Library
After four publishers filed a lawsuit for copyright infringement, the Internet Archive has closed its National Emergency Library.
“A Really Exciting Time”: Publishing during a Time of Crisis
The best business books have a long shelf life and hold value over the long-term. That message was frequently repeated.
The government files a suit against John Bolton
Bolton’s book, The Room Where It Happened, released yesterday without approval from the US government.
Diversity in Children’s Publishing: Pushing for Change
From staffing to acquisition to marketing, children’s book publishers examine their own diversity deficits.
Fallout continues as JK Rowling is accused of transphobic comments
A few employees at Hachette UK do not want to work on Rowling’s new children’s book due to her remarks about the transgender community.
Using Data to Drive Sales: An Especially Important Skill Set Right Now
Analyzing consumer behavior and improving practices to match can boost sales and brand-building for both publishers and authors.
EU prepares to move against Amazon
The EU is now on the verge of filing formal antitrust charges, specifically over Amazon’s use of data from third-party marketplace sellers.
Better health insurance guidance for writers and others in publishing
The Book Industry Health Insurance Partnership will help members navigate health insurance options.
Book sales update: June 24, 2020
Despite protests in many metropolitan markets, NPD BookScan reports that the US book market is within 0.1 percent of 2019 sales, or flat.
Hot Sheet Index: June 10, 2020
The Hot Sheet Index reviewed Amazon bestsellers. New Hunger Games book Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Sells More Than 500,000 Copies.
Closing Image: June 10, 2020
The US children’s publisher Lee & Low Books first started researching diversity in the book-publishing industry in 2015.
The US protests have directly affected book sales and bookstores
In response to George Floyd’s death, people are seeking information and resources to better understand race, civil rights, and protests.
PublishingPaidMe goes viral as authors reveal book advances
On Saturday night, author LL McKinney called on white authors to reveal their book advances on Twitter using the hashtag #PublishingPaidMe.
Book publishing and media workers protest the industry’s role in systemic racism
Workers says the industry has failed to hire and retain Black employees or publish a significant number of Black authors.
Fellows of the Poetry Foundation send a list of demands to the board and staff
Thirty former fellows have written and signed a letter expressing dissatisfaction with the organization’s support of the Black community.
Tattered Cover bookstore apologizes for its initial stance of non-engagement
The store has a history of refusing to engage in public debate regarding social issues, and it considered this latest issue no different.
Tweets about the US protests lead to resignations and firings at two literary agencies
Agents parted ways with St. Paul–based Red Sofa Literary, while Corvisiero Literary Agency in New York City fired its entire staff.
Publishers sue the Internet Archive for copyright infringement
Several US publishers have filed a lawsuit against the Internet Archive due to its move earlier this year to establish a National Emergency Library.
Meanwhile, hearings on the DMCA system take place in Congress
Recently, the Senate heard testimony on the question “Is the DMCA’s Notice-and-Takedown System Working in the 21st Century?”
John Bolton’s book about the Trump administration will publish June 23
The book has been delayed for months, awaiting clearance from the government, but apparently Bolton is moving ahead without any approval.
Coronavirus Update: June 10, 2020
Print book sales are down only half a percent versus 2019, but booksellers and publishers alike worry the worst is still ahead.
Jonathan Karp named CEO of Simon & Schuster
Following Carolyn Reidy’s death, the president and publisher of Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Jonathan Karp, was named CEO and president.
Libraries Managing through Lockdown—and Beyond
Librarians struggle with prioritizing and meeting needs of their communities—including vulnerable populations—as digital lending increases.
Kobo expands reach to libraries for its self-published authors
Those distributing their ebooks through Kobo Writing Life will find a new option available for library distribution through OverDrive.
UK publisher Head of Zeus launches a new imprint
Aries is a new action and adventure fiction imprint at Head of Zeus, which publishes genre fiction, narrative nonfiction, and children’s books.
Medium launches an email newsletter feature for writers; it’s best avoided
Creators don’t appear to get access to subscribers’ email addresses, which makes it a no-go for anyone serious about platform building.
Trends and Innovations in Audiobook Publishing
Expansion into additional genres, media, and markets may further boost the already robust audiobook trade.
The RITAs are gone, to be replaced by the Vivian
Retiring an award that’s been accused of racist outcomes might be the first step in a new future for the RWA.
A new James Patterson–Bill Clinton novel is coming in June 2021
It’s not a sequel but a standalone novel about a former president whose daughter is kidnapped.
New Authors Guild survey: majority of respondents have seen income decline
These declines are primarily due to a loss of speaking engagements and freelance journalism assignments.
A new adult imprint, Astra House, joins a children’s publishing operation
It will publish 20 to 25 adult titles a year across literary fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.