The Business of Publishing

A few years ago at a Radcliffe Institute exhibit, I came across photos of a draft of what would become Angela Davis' autobiography. A foundational Black literary text, bare-boned and vulnerable, is not something you often get to see. The manuscript bloomed with the strokes of a blue pen, notes from the editor on what needed to be changed.  Read more

Sales of print books continued to ride a hot streak into February with units jumping 25.7% in the first week of the month over the first week of February 2020 at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. The increase was the highest yet this year, and unit sales of print books were up 22.1% through February 6, 2021.

Much of the loudest buzz within the book business is of Random House's plan to swallow Simon & Schuster.

S&S among other advantages could enjoy more outlets for its books. But such a vision still reeks of "shuffling chairs on the Titanic."  Read more