The Association of American Publishers released June Stashot data from participating publishers, reporting overall trade sales of $616 million, down 3 percent from 2024. Adult books sold $447 million, a decrease of 7 percent. Fiction sold $263 million, down 5 percent, and nonfiction sold $184 million, down 9 percent. Hardcovers fell 5 percent to $184 million, paperbacks fell 12 percent to $158 million, and ebooks fell 1 percent to $73.6 million. Digital audio increased 14 percent to $79.2 million. Children’s and YA book sales gained 9 percent to $168.5 million, with fiction up 8 percent to $136.6 million and nonfiction […]
Archives for September 2025
Scholastic Reports Soft First Quarter
Scholastic announced results for the first quarter ended August 31–a typically softer period–with $226 million in sales, down 5 percent. The operating loss was down 4 percent to $(92.2) million, as expected, and the loss excluding one-time items improved by 4 percent to $(81.9) million. In the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment, sales gained 4 percent to $109 million. Trade sales were almost flat at $73.5 million. School Reading Events sales were up 14 percent to $36 million, with $34 million in Book Fairs (up 18 percent due to the redemption of rewards at the fairs) and $1.8 million […]
Survey Shows Professionals Use AI, Despite Concerns
Results of a survey by the Book Industry Study Group show that almost half of North American publishing professionals are using AI in their work, but just about all of them have concerns about the technology. Of 559 participants, including publishers, librarians, manufacturers, individual consultants, and retailers, 45 percent say that they are experimenting with AI tools individually and 48 percent report that their organizations use it. Among individuals, the most common uses are for administrative tasks (23 percent) and data analysis (21 percent). Least common uses are in translation (4 percent) and rights and licensing management (2 percent). Organizations […]
Harding Acquires Curtis Brown From the Knowltons
Longtime children’s book agent Elizabeth Harding has acquired Curtis Brown from Tim Knowlton and Ginger Knowlton. Tim Knowlton will “step away from full-time work… sometime soon” to serve as chairman emeritus “to help with the transition.” Ginger Knowlton will remain with the agency and continue to represent her authors. Tim Knowlton says in the announcement, “When Elizabeth first approached us about taking over the company, I nearly slapped myself in the head. It was a moment of clarity–Elizabeth’s vision and expertise make her the ideal choice, and I know Curtis Brown will thrive with her at the helm.” PL took […]
People 9/19
Archway Editions Went “On Hiatus” In May, Plans to Resume Publishing Next Spring
Following the letter posted online by the Archway Editions team announcing that they have all left the imprint, Daniel Power who owns the imprint through powerHouse Books in Brooklyn told Publishers Lunch that all powerHouse imprints have been on hiatus “in many ways” since May. Planned fall books and other delayed titles are now scheduled to be published in spring 2026. The departed team included founders and publishers Chris Molnar and Nicodemus Nicoludis (who had already left to pursue a PhD), senior editor Naomi Falk, and publicist Mia Risher. Power writes, “The publishing staff consisting then of Naomi, Mia and […]