Bookstore Sales Continue To Drop
This morning, Publishers Weekly posted a short article indicating that bookstore sales are down again, for the fifth month in a row. I think the article also contrasts this with retail sales which are up.
I never know quite what to make of information like this. For example, it doesn’t tell me if all book sales are up, down or sidewise. I can’t tell if these numbers include online bookstores or only brick and mortar. I’m not sure what that would tell me even if it was clear.
I’m reasonably sure it doesn’t include things like ebooks and self-published books.
My point? Good question. Although I find such studies mildly interesting, I don’t find them important as far as my own freelance writing career is concerned. Nor does “the market” say anything about my income. Those are up to me and have much more to do with my attitude and my connection with the Devine.
Write well and often,
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POSTED IN: Business of Freelance Writing, Musings From A Freelance Writer
4 opinions for Bookstore Sales Continue To Drop
Irreverent Freelancer
Jul 17, 2007 at 11:37 am
Oh, how sad for those of us who dream of being published. I wonder, however, if these numbers include the sale of only new books. I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m the type who typically looks for a bargain in used books. Only when it’s a book I MUST read will I splurge on a new hardcover.
Anne Wayman
Jul 17, 2007 at 4:14 pm
I buy lots of paperback thriller novels, and use the library too… my hardbacks are limited to non-fiction.
But please, don’t let these stats kill your dream of being published… there are lots of publishers and lots of options.
Rico
Jul 17, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Who knows, maybe getting published online will become as important—and lucrative—as getting printed? I wonder how far that will be though.
Anne Wayman
Jul 18, 2007 at 8:55 am
unknown at this point
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