Why Print Books Keep Their Hold on Readers
Despite years of predictions, print remains the largest format for book sales in many markets. Here is why readers keep choosing physical books and what it means for authors.
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Association of American Publishers in The Publishing Times
The national trade association of the U.S. book publishing industry and publisher of the monthly StatShot. Official site: publishers.org
AAP August 2026 StatShot: Publishing Up 8.9%, Trade Up 12.5%
The Association of American Publishers' August report puts total revenue at $1.2 billion, up 8.9% from a year earlier. Trade books were $904.7 million, up 12.5%.
Türkiye's Avesta Becomes First Publisher to Win AAP's Freedom to Publish Award Twice
The Association of American Publishers gave its 2026 International Freedom to Publish Award to Avesta Publishing House in Turkey, the first publisher to receive the award twice.
Media Coalition Wins the First IPA Freedom of Expression Defenders Award
The International Publishers Association gave its first Freedom of Expression Defenders Award to the Media Coalition, the U.S. group that sues to block book-restriction laws.
Third Circuit: Training AI on Westlaw Headnotes Was Not Fair Use
The Third Circuit affirmed that ROSS Intelligence's copying of 2,243 Westlaw headnotes to train a competing legal-search AI was not fair use.
July Book Sales Rose 14%. Here's What Drove It.
AAP's July StatShot shows publishing revenue up 14.0% to $1.0 billion, with trade up 16.4%. Adjusted for inflation the gain is smaller, and a handful of bestsellers did much of the work.
Publishing's Gatekeepers Now Share the Gate: What the Output and Revenue Data Show
For generations, an author's path into print ran through a small number of decision-makers: agents, acquiring editors and the publishers that employed them.
Print's Place in a Modern Book Launch: What the Data Show
Book launches today often lean on digital tools: retailer pages, online advertising, social media posts and email campaigns.
University Presses and Digital Textbook Printing
The AAP estimates U.S. university press revenue rose 4.9% to $368 million in 2025. An editorial on the practical choices facing press directors.
Hardcover Print-on-Demand Costs in 2026: Running the Numbers for Indie Publishers
Hardcovers carry prestige, and in some parts of the market they are selling well. For independent publishers who rely on print-on-demand, they also come with a cost structure that can make or break a list price.
Independent Bookshops and the Future of the High Street
U.S. publisher revenue through physical retail rose 7.2% in 2025, and 234 UK independent booksellers have asked for business rates relief. An editorial on the state of independent bookshops.
AAP 2025 Revenue Report: Where Publishing Grew
The AAP's StatShot Annual puts 2025 U.S. publishing revenue at an estimated $33.4 billion, up 2.5%. An editorial on what the headline figures do and do not show.
Obama's 'A Great Book' and the Spread of Literary Curation
When a former president devotes six episodes of a podcast to discussing novels and essays, the publishing industry takes notice. A Great Book with Barack Obama, an Audible Original produced with Higher Ground, debuted on September 24, 2026.
The Nonfiction Revolution: Authors Seize Control
Nonfiction is often sold on a proposal before it is written. The data now also show an enormous expansion in self-published nonfiction.
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