Book sales hit record highs in 2019, but publishers ‘now need help’

Figures for last year show sales of £6.3bn, up 20% on 2015, but the Publishers Association says sector needs government support to weather coronavirusBook sales in the UK hit record levels in 2019, driven by a surge in audiobook and nonfiction titles, according to new figures released as publishers warn of the huge impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the industry.Book sales rose to £6.3bn in 2019, up 4% on 2018, when sales fell for the first time in five years, and 20% on 2015. According to the latest figures from the Publishers Association (PA), overall print sales were up 3% to £3.5bn in 2019 and digital sales were up 4% to £2.8bn, driven by a 39% increase in audiobook downloads. Digital formats accounted for 44% of the market in 2019, up from 40% in 2015. Related: Harry Potter books prove UK lockdown hit despite JK Rowling trans rights row Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2020-07-21 23:01:08 UTC ]

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Must-have gear to make traveling with kids easier

Traveling with young children is like trying to turn a cruise ship: It’s cumbersome, takes a significant amount of planning and requires a team effort. Because I apparently lack any amount of common sense, I recently took a 3,000-mile RV trip with my partner and two toddlers. Traveling with... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2021-09-01 12:30:02 UTC ]
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Emirates Publishers Association Sends Team to Ghana Book Fair

The UAE's Emirates Publishers Association met with key African publishing organizations at the Ghana International Book Fair last week. The post Emirates Publishers Association Sends Team to Ghana Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-08-31 12:14:32 UTC ]
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First Half Profits Soared at Penguin Random House

Booming audiobook sales and strong performances in some of its largest markets boosted profits up 55.1% at Penguin Random House in the first six months of 2021. Revenue rose 10.9%, to €1.80 billion. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-08-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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UK’s Publishers Association: 64 Percent of Book Revenue at Stake in Copyright Question

As much as £2.2 billion (US$3.1 billion) in revenue, the Publishers Association says, is imperiled in the UK's copyright consultation. The post UK’s Publishers Association: 64 Percent of Book Revenue at Stake in Copyright Question appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-08-30 00:44:30 UTC ]
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Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite drops to all-time low price of $71 in one-day sale

Now might be a good time to buy an e-reader for school — or that end-of-summer vacation. Amazon has cut the price of the ad-supported 8GB Kindle Paperwhite to an all-time low of $71 in a one-day-only sale, well below the official $130 sticker. That's lower than what we saw just two weeks... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2021-08-29 15:44:54 UTC ]
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Beyond normal: new novel brings Sally Rooney mania to bookshops across UK

Many shops plan to open early for the arrival of Sally Rooney’s latest novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You next monthWhen they were children they lined the streets in their witch hats and capes, keen to pick up the latest Harry Potter title as bookshops opened their doors at midnight. Now they... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-08-28 15:00:00 UTC ]
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Of This Our Country to be narrated by Weruche Opia

Weruche Opia, best known for her role in Michaela Coel’s Bafta-winning series "I May Destroy You", will read the audiobook of the Nigerian essay collection Of This Our Country (The Borough Press) alongside fellow actor Oseloka Obi. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-26 15:58:01 UTC ]
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Chakrabarti and Branagh to narrate Shakespeare's sonnets for CUP

Cambridge University Press is to release an audiobook featuring all of Shakespeares sonnets, narrated by Lolita Chakrabarti and Kenneth Branagh. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-25 16:30:36 UTC ]
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Audible to release Peter Kay's record-breaking autobiography with bonus chapters

Audible is releasing an audiobook of Peter Kay’s record-breaking autobiography The Sound of Laughter in September with two new and exclusive bonus chapters. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-25 06:53:06 UTC ]
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New Scottish library strategy aims to put them at heart of pandemic recovery

A new public library strategy for Scotland has been published, developed with the help of countries all over the world, including Denmark, Australia and the US, and seeking to make libraries key to helping people and their communities recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-24 05:25:24 UTC ]
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International book markets make 'significant' gains in first half of 2021

International book markets have made significant gains in the first half of 2021, defying the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a survey carried out by charts and market research data supplier GfK Entertainment. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-24 00:32:33 UTC ]
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W F Howes signs McDermid's new series

Independent audiobook publisher W F Howes has landed rights to Val McDermid's new Allie Burns series, releasing the first of five audiobooks this week. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-20 14:12:25 UTC ]
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Brian Cox to voice Rankin and McIlvanney audiobook

Emmy award-winning Scottish actor Brian Cox has been confirmed as the audiobook reader for The Dark Remains, the new novel by Ian Rankin and William McIlvanney, published by Canongate.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-18 21:48:07 UTC ]
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Why Linguistically Diverse Audiobook Casting Matters

Over the last decade there has been a push towards better representation in visual media. While movies and television have provided more examples of non-white characters in key roles, there has also been an uptick in linguistic diversity in film. Movies like Lulu Wang’s The Farewell, which slips... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2021-08-17 11:00:00 UTC ]
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New Zealand Publishers’ Conference Features Al Qasimi, Evans, Brown

The Publishers Association of New Zealand Te Rau o Tākupu has a daylong conference, with trade show directors and IPA's Bodour Al Qasimi. The post New Zealand Publishers’ Conference Features Al Qasimi, Evans, Brown appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-08-13 16:56:26 UTC ]
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Print Sales Down Again in Early August

Unit sales of print books fell 8% in the week ended Aug. 7, 2021, compared to a year ago, at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-08-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury unveils Harry Potter 25th anniversary plans

Bloomsbury has announced plans for a year-long campaign celebrating the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J K Rowling in 2022. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-12 04:16:37 UTC ]
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OwlCrate Reverses Decision, Reintroduces Harry Potter Items in Boxes

Book subscription box OwlCrate has reversed their decision to no longer carry Harry Potter merchandise due to JK Rowling's transphobia. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-08-11 17:30:59 UTC ]
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Google Assistant has a morning routine for schoolchildren

Now that many kids are about to go back to school, Google thinks it can offer a helping hand — including after class. It's introducing Assistant and search features to help parents coordinate in morning and kids to learn more (or at least, stay entertained). To start, Family Bell is coming to... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2021-08-11 16:00:47 UTC ]
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Censorship on the Rise Worldwide

The International Publishers Association and PEN have documented hundreds of attacks on press freedom, many of them targeting LGBTQ and dissident groups. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-08-06 04:00:00 UTC ]
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