Some interesting data has surfaced recently providing more nuance about the true scope of backlist sales — from both the antitrust trial and NPD Bookscan — that’s worthy of gathering in one place. During the pandemic, Bookscan data showed a marked acceleration of backlist sales, from roughly 62 or 63 percent of print units in 2019 up to 70 percent of print units so far this year, with a trendline that looks like it never changes direction. That has been attributed to a number of pandemic-driven effects: A shift to more online sales; a reduction in new releases (particularly early […]
