Looking forward to the autumn

As many in the northern hemisphere are still sunning themselves (or sitting out the rain if they're in the UK), the book trade is hotting up for the autumn. In the UK It looks as if 8 October will be Super Thursday, when the combination of big books being launched reaches its peak. A successful generic Booksellers' Association promotion, Books Are My Bag, will launch on the same day. But, as we've recently pointed out, recent Enders analysis showed a decline in consumer spend on books of 6% over the last year. Where is the money going to come from?

Part of the answer is the big bestsellers which have dominated the summer. Go Set a Watchman and Grey have played tag at the top of the bestseller lists. They have both had massive publicity and attracted many book-buyers to shops, boosting footfall and giving the book trade a shot in the arm during a quiet time.

Now publishers are looking forward to October and those who go to the Frankfurt Book FairWorld's largest trade fair for books; held annually mid-October at Frankfurt Trade Fair, Germany; First three days exclusively for trade visitors; general public can attend last two. are already planning their schedules. For authors it's back to work too, trying to finish that manuscript, get it published, or publish it yourself, get it promoted and get out there to find your audience.

Good luck with all of this.