BTW News Briefs

Bowker Releases Statistics on Consumer Book Buying

Bowker Market Research has released the most recent data from its consumer panel of 70,000 Americans, compiled in the 2013 U.S. Book Consumer Demographics and Buying Behaviors Annual Review.

With the closure of Borders and the rising profile of online retailers, 2012 book buying statistics show that online retailers took 44 percent of Americans’ book purchases (up from 39 percent in 2011) and that Barnes & Noble remained the second largest bookselling outlet. Additional details from the report include:

• Women increased their lead over men in book buying, accounting for 58 percent of overall book spending in 2012, up from 55 percent in 2011, though men purchase more hardcover titles.
• By the close of 2012, 53 percent of consumers said the economy was having no effect on their book buying habits, up from 51 percent at the end of 2011.
• E-books continue their steady upward trend, with an 11 percent share of spending in 2012, compared to seven percent in 2011.
• The growth of e-books varies widely among the different publishing categories. E-books accounted for more than 20 percent of 2012 spending in fiction categories, including mystery/detective, romance, and science fiction.
• Traditional print book output grew three percent in 2012, from 292,037 titles in 2011 to 301,642 in 2012. 

SIBA Offering Scholarship to Fall Trade Show

The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance launched a scholarship program earlier this year, which recently received a five-figure donation from The Reba and Dave Williams Foundation for Literature and the Arts.

Exhibitors were invited to donate to the fund when registering for the fall trade show, and the donations will be used to bring as many booksellers as possible to the show by assisting with the cost of hotel rooms, meals, and more. Stores looking to apply for assistance can contact SIBA Executive Director Wanda Jewell directly at [email protected].

Miami Book Fair Celebrates 30^th Anniversary

The Miami Book Fair International is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this fall, welcoming more than 250,000 people to celebrate the love of literature during the eight-day event. Running from November 17 to 24, the Book Fair will feature luminaries including Anjelica Huston, Richard Russo, Wally Lamb, Amy Tan, Anne Rice, and Brad Meltzer. More than 400 authors will read from books in a variety of languages.

Festivities this year will celebrate the culture and literature of Spain in recognition of the 500^th anniversary of Spanish explorer Ponce de León landing in Florida. Other Miami Book Fair events include the DWNTWN Arts Days, “Evenings With” series, IberoAmerican Authors, literacy and learning activities for teens and kids during the Generation Genius Days, and demos and panels for food enthusiasts. More than 200 exhibitors will sell books.

Ingram Adds New Clients

Ingram Publisher Services Inc. has added six independent publishers to its list of clients.

• Balcony 7 Media Publishing, a specialty publisher of books and enhanced e-books focusing on family, literacy, and entertainment, will utilize Ingram’s services in U.S. and Canadian sales and distribution as well as digital and print-on-demand work.
• Bella & Harry, a children’s book series from Liza Manzione, will receive distribution and sales services in the U.S. and Canada as well as print-on-demand galley work.
• CN Times, a subsidiary of Beijing MediaTime Book Co. LTD, publishes fiction and nonfiction titles and will work with Ingram on distribution in the U.S. and Canada and CoreSource e-book distribution.
• Fine & Kahn publishes engaging history, psychology, and reference books. Ingram will provide sales and distribution in the U.S. and Canada, as well as CoreSource e-book distribution and Lightning Source services.
• She Writes Press was founded by women’s writing community She Writes and provides publishing services to help women bring their books to the market. Ingram will provide U.S. and Canadian sales and distribution.
• The Enthusiast, publisher of books on art, philosophy, science, and cooking, will receive distribution and sales services for the U.S. and Canada.

Jeff Bezos to Purchase the Washington Post

Amazon owner Jeff Bezos will purchase the Washington Post for $250 million. Bezos’ purchase includes the newspaper and affiliated publications. The Washington Post Co. will continue to operate without the newspaper under a new name and as a publicly-traded company.