December 5, 2008

Despite the recession, it turns out to be a good time to be a children’s writer.

Signs of the Publishing Times

I’m not an economist–never even took high school economics–but even I could tell that the publishing news this week wasn’t encouraging for many people.

• Simon & Schuster cut 35 people (2% of its workforce).
• Thomas Nelson cut 54 people (10% of its workforce).
• Random House announced it is restructuring and will disband the Doubleday Publishing Group.
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is not acquiring at the moment.

So Where’s That Silver Lining?

According to a story on PW Daily, book sales in November rose 6% over this time last year. Children’s book sales rose more than 33% in that period! YA sales were also up. When times are hard, people still buy books for their kids. And maybe the tougher economic times are turning parents and grandparents away from the expensive electronic gadgets, video games/DVDs and toward books. That’s certainly where many of my own Christmas dollars are going.

Like I said, I’m no economist, but this is good news for those of us who write for children and teens. Keep on writing!

2 Comments »

1. 

   Yep, we’re getting the same news here. People are buying books again – a $15-20 book tends to beat a $90 video game when dollars are short!

   Comment by Sherryl — December 7, 2008 @ 2:41 am

2. 

   Now if only that trend would pass to the adult sector! They could buy even MORE books if they traded in THEIR expensive electronic toys.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — December 7, 2008 @ 11:59 am

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