'It’s been a rollercoaster': how indie publishers survived - and thrived - in 2020

When lockdown came in March, many small presses feared they would go out of business. But then came an outpouring of support from the publicThe best books from indie publishers in 2020Six months ago, independent publishers Jacaranda and Knights Of were warning publicly that their income had fallen to almost zero. They weren’t the only small publishers struggling. With bookshops and distributors closing, a survey from the Bookseller at the time found that almost 60% of small publishers feared closure by the autumn. No bookshops meant no knowledgeable, passionate booksellers pressing new books they loved on to customers; no events and no travel meant that crucial avenues for introducing new writers had disappeared.The stars had been looking very happily aligned for Oneworld in March. The independent publisher had three of its biggest books scheduled for the month – a novel from Women’s prize winner Tayari Jones, Silver Sparrow; a new thriller from the bestselling crime author Will Dean, Black River; and Damien Love’s novel for older children, Monstrous Devices. It had printed point-of-sale materials, invested in marketing, advertising, printing.With the resurgence of Black Lives Matter came attention to our fiction list, with nearly every title selling out in June Related: The best books of 2020 to support indie publishers this Christmas Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2020-12-16 08:00:30 UTC ]

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In Mexico, One Bookstore per 120,000 Inhabitants, by Elena Poniatowska

Cultural Cross Sections Elena Poniatowska In this column that originally appeared in La Jornada, Elena Poniatowska considers the role of editors and talks with Diego Rabasa, founder of publisher Sexto Piso. Already precarious, the pandemic lockdown has... Continue reading at World Literature Today

[ World Literature Today | 2020-06-03 21:05:48 UTC ]
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The Book Industry Charitable Foundation Has Never Been Busier Helping Bookstores

Last August, I wrote about the Book Industry Charitable Foundation, or “Binc,” a Michigan-based non-profit created to support booksellers who have fallen on hard times. If a bookseller winds up in the hospital or a bookstore has a flood, Binc can step in and pay their bills, no questions asked... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-05-29 08:48:18 UTC ]
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Coronavirus has left small publishers desperately fighting for survival

A survey of indie presses shows that 60% fear they could be out of business by the autumn, writes Galley Beggar Press cofounder Sam JordisonOver the past few years, the success of independent publishers such as Fitzcarraldo, And Other Stories, Bluemooose and Influx Press has been something to... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-05-15 06:00:32 UTC ]
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Stanley Johnson lands book deal to republish virus thriller

The Virus, first published in 1982, will be reissued this summer after the PM’s father shrugged off accusations of cashing in on the coronavirus crisisA long out-of-print novel about a deadly virus by Stanley Johnson, the father of UK prime minister Boris Johnson, is to be reissued this summer,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-05-11 14:45:10 UTC ]
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This Week's Bestsellers: May 11, 2020

Amid a global pandemic, thousands of people are reading... ‘The End of October,’ about a fictional pandemic. Plus ‘Good Morning America’ book club pick ‘Oona Out of Order’ cracks the fiction list, and the Hulu adaptation of ‘Normal People’ boosts paperback sales. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-05-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Hashtag Press buys memoir of reality star and actress Jess Impiazzi

Independent publisher Hashtag Press will publish Jess Impiazzi's memoir Silver Linings.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-05-07 17:36:02 UTC ]
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Majority of small publishers fear closure in wake of coronavirus

Survey shows 60% expect the impact of the pandemic may put them out of business, prompting calls for concerted helpMore than half of the UK’s small publishers fear they could be out of business by the autumn as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to research by the Bookseller, which... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-05-07 15:02:20 UTC ]
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Coronavirus Worklife: A Publisher Helps Prepare France’s Reopening Bookshops

An independent publisher has produced signage and distancing guides to help welcome customers of newly reopened French bookshops. The post Coronavirus Worklife: A Publisher Helps Prepare France’s Reopening Bookshops appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-05-06 11:46:44 UTC ]
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The Bookseller to highlight books impacted by Covid-19

The Bookseller will begin this week to republish its May and June previews showcasing titles that have been rescheduled, as a result of the lockdown, as well as those that are still being published during those months.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-05-04 16:17:03 UTC ]
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The Bookseller and Spread the Word launch survey for small presses

The Bookseller and writer development charity Spread the Word have launched a survey of small independent presses to assess the financial pressures they are under as a result of the coronavirus lockdown. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-05-04 09:12:42 UTC ]
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Amazon revealed as £250k donor to bookseller coronavirus fund

Amazon has been revealed as the mystery donor which pledged £250,000 to a fundraising drive to help booksellers impacted by the coronavirus crisis. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-23 04:37:57 UTC ]
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British Book Award chats kick off with Rónán Hession

The Bookseller is to launch a series of weekly Twitter conversations with the authors shortlisted for this year's British Book Awards. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-22 18:15:25 UTC ]
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This indie bookseller will send you personalized recommendations from her stock of used books.

An hour’s drive away from my sleepy college town, there is a magical place. It is the place my friends and I would run away to whenever we were having a rough go of it, or quite frankly, whenever we just didn’t feel like going to class. (If any of my professors are reading this… […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-04-17 19:16:30 UTC ]
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Powell's Rehires Some Employees to Handle Online Orders

A surge in online sales at Powell's Books in Portland, Ore., has allowed the bookseller to rehire 49 previously laid off union employees, ILWU Local 5 has confirmed. They are now working alongside more than 50 people in management to fulfill orders. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The Bookseller survey: staff experiences of working through the coronavirus challenge

At the coronavirus outbreak reshapes our industry, The Bookseller is inviting staff members from across the book trade to share their experiences of working during the coronavirus outbreak. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-24 12:47:26 UTC ]
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Hi, I’m a Bookseller! Can I Take Your Puzzle Order Today? (shelftalker)

A bookseller at BookPeople reflects on a week of online and curbside fulfillment. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-20 12:00:32 UTC ]
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Nosy Crow acquires 10 children’s books by Pamela Butchart

Independent publisher Nosy Crow has acquired 10 new titles from the award-winning author and schoolteacher Pamela Butchart. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-17 11:26:59 UTC ]
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Regionals Tweaking Spring Forum Formats, Scheduling

While some regional indie bookseller organizations have canceled spring forum meetings, others are creatively tweaking schedules to put on unique events, ranging from virtual gatherings to mini-forums. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Comma Press awarded £50k from Greater Manchester Culture Fund

Independent publisher Comma Press and Manchester Literature Festival have been awarded grants from the Greater Manchester Culture Fund. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-05 07:22:17 UTC ]
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Cell Phones and Story Times (shelftalker)

A bookseller fights the urge to require parents to check their cell phones at the door during story time. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-02 13:00:00 UTC ]
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