Publishers Weekly - August 01, 2022

84 Pages·2022·49 MB·English

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about a better world by introducing people, through his writing and teaching, to technologies that can
help them improve themselves and their lives.” Prudence Farrow Bruns, Ph.D.
“Prudence” in the iconic song by John Lennon,
Introduction by Mike Love of The BEACH BOYS
ISBN: 978-1-59079-523-1
www.selectbooks.com
October 18, 2022 publication date
Trade paperback / 272 pages
$17.95 USD
Volume 269 August 1,
Number 32 2022
ISSN 0000-0019
F
E AT U R E S
19
Inward and Upward
Mind-body-spirit publishers are helping readers find peace of mind
where they can.
32
Writers to Watch
From an examination of the ravages of Jim Crow to a meditation on
the idea of happiness, this fall’s noteworthy nonfiction debuts span
the range of human experience.
38
American Dreaming
George Saunders channels these high-anxiety times in Liberation
Day, his darkest collection yet.
N
E W S
6 The Return of San Diego Comic-Con
Buoyed by rising graphic novel and comics sales, publishers were
excited to be back in-person at SDCC.
7 Print Sales Up in Mid-July
Double-digit gains in the adult fiction and YA categories led to a
4.4% increase in unit sales of print books in the week ended July 23
over the comparable week last year.
8 After Rebound, Scholastic Stays Bullish
Following a 12.5% decline in fiscal 2021 due to the pandemic,
Scholastic reported a 26% increase in revenue for fiscal 2022,
which ended May 31, and it sees more growth ahead.
9 David Lott Sees His Stories Published
Just before his death in July, the Macmillan senior managing editor
released a story collection set in the fictional town of Brookford.
10 Deals
Park Row buys J.C. Cervantes’s debut adult novel, a Margaret
Atwood collection goes to Doubleday, and more.
11 From the Archive
Fifteen years ago, we reported on the publication of the final
installment in J.K. Rowling’s megaselling Harry Potter series, which
sold 8.3 million copies in the first day after its release.
VISIT US ONLINE FOR ADDITIONAL NEWS,
REVIEWS, BESTSELLERS & FEATURES.
publishersweekly.com
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C o n t e n t s
D & C
E PA R T M E N T S O L U M N S
16 Books in Spanish
Spain’s publishing industry reported sales gains in 2021 over 2020,
in spite of declines in major export markets.
17 Digital Perspectives
Big Tech is doing its part to improve accessibility for all.
80 Soapbox by Seth Kaufman
An author realizes his idea to recast Don Quixote as a woman wasn’t
as original as he’d thought.
B
E S T S E L L E R S
● Adult Hardcovers 13 ● Adult Paperbacks 14
● Children’s 15
R
E V I E W S
Fiction
62 Religion/Spirituality
40 General Fiction
Children’s/YA
Delphinium
44 Mystery/Thriller
65 Picture Books
46 SF/Fantasy/Horror
68 Fiction
48 Romance/Erotica
Books Autumn
71 Comics
50 Comics
72 Nonfiction
Nonfiction
2022
BookLife
53 General Nonfiction
73 Paid Reviews
59 Lifestyle
50
Q&A with
41 Elizabeth A. Trembly
Boxed Review
Dinosaurs
66
43
Review Roundup
Q&A with
Picture books head back
Penn Jillette
to school
Editorial cover © Kieran Kesner
PW Publishers Weekly USPS 763-080 (ISSN 0000-0019) is published weekly, except for the last week in December.
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The Week in Publishing
Lagardère Publishing JenniferWeltz of the
President George Slowik Jr.
reported that sales rose Jean V. Naggar Literary CEO & Publisher Cevin Bryerman
Senior V-P, Editorial Director Jim Milliot
7.7% in the fi rst half of 2022 over 2021, to Agency has been COO Carl Pritzkat
Senior V-P, Children’s Book Editor Diane Roback
€1.22 billion. Earnings fell 29%, to €81 million. elected president of the Senior V-P, Executive Editor Jonathan Segura
V-P, Sales & Associate Publisher Joe Murray
The sales increase refl ected contributions from board of the Association V-P, Operations Ryk Hsieh
Art Director Clive Chiu
Managing Editor Daniel Berchenko
Workman, which was acquired last September. of American Literary
News Director Rachel Deahl
Senior News Editor Calvin Reid
In the U.S., sales at Hachette Book Group were Agents. Weltz succeeds
News & Digital Editor John Maher
Features Editor Carolyn Juris
up slightly thanks to the Workman purchase. Gail Hochman of Brant Senior Writer Andrew R. Albanese
Bookselling & International Editor Ed Nawotka
& Hochman Literary SeniorReviews Editor Peter Cannon
Senior Reviews Editor, Children’s Amanda Bruns
The Booker Prize longlist, Agents, who has served Reviews Editors: David Adams, Phoebe Cramer,
Meg Lemke, Maya C. Popa,
announced last week, includes six as board president Amanda Ramirez, Carliann Rittman, David Varno
Associate Reviews Editor Marc Greenawalt
American authors: Hernan Diaz, since Religion Editor Emma Koonse Wenner
Deputy Children’s Book Editor Emma Kantor
Editorial Assistant, Children’s Books Iyana Jones
Percival Everett, Karen Joy Fowler, 2002.
Assistant Editor Drucilla Shultz
Associate Editor, News Sophia Stewart
Leila Mottley, Selby Wynn Schwartz,
Deputy Art Director Bobby Lawhorn Jr.
Copy Chief Robby Ritacco
and Elizabeth Strout. A shortlist of Director of Marketing Krista Rafanello
Marketing Manager Stacey Gill
six will be announced on September 6, and the DirectorofSpecialEditorialProjects Adam Boretz
BookLife Editor Matia Madrona Query
winner will be announced on October 17. BookLife Reviews Editor Alan Scherstuhl
Director of Digital Operations Michael Morris
Digital Editorial Coordinator Marian Amo
Digital Department Assistant Nathalie Mairena
Digital Advertising Assistant Beatrice Viri
Mark Heineke, Marvin Brown, a
HR Generalist Nathaly Rivas
Accounts Receivable Cynthia Flaim
marketing manager longtime publishing
Accounts Payable Sylvia Joanne Slowik
Assistant Office Manager Catherine Hosch
for University of executive, died July
Correspondents:
West Coast Nathalie op de Beeck 253-306-3793
Nebraska Press, 15. He was 87. Brown Midwest Claire Kirch 218-310-1867
Asia Teri Tan ([email protected])
died unexpectedly served as president at Atheneum Editor at Large Louisa Ermelino
Contributing Editors: Michael Coffey, Sari Feldman,
on July 24. He was Publishers (1961–1983), at New Liz Hartman, Brian Kenney, Daniel Lefferts, Sally Lodge,
Heidi MacDonald, Shannon Maughan, Marcia Z. Nelson, Diane
51. Heineke worked for several American Library (1983–1987), at Patrick, Karen Raugust, Sonia Jaffe Robbins,
Judith Rosen
Regional Sales Team: Deena Ali, Ian Littauer, Julia Molino
scholarly presses during his more Viking Penguin (1987–1991), and
Sales Coordinator Monique Vieu
Circulation Next Steps Marketing
than two decades in publishing. at Penguin USA (1991–1997).
Collections Alan Kula, AK Collections
IT Support ACS International
Licensing Director Christi Cassidy LLC
Production/Manufacturing Publishing Experts
Online & On-Air trip to the fi rst San Diego Comic-Con Web Engineering Mediapolis
Interns: Kamille Carrera Pereira, Jason Chen, Ryan Phung
to be held in person since 2019,
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Advertising
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WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM
News
The Return of Comic-Con
Buoyed by rising graphic novel and comics sales, publishers
were excited to be back at SDCC
T
hough the first in-person San Diego Comic-Con in
three years, which ran July 21–24, was somewhat
subdued compared to the exuberant events of
prepandemic times, publishers in attendance were
upbeat—no doubt energized by the continued growth in
demand for graphic novels and comics.
The show floor was crowded, but not as crowded as in the
past. Proof of full vaccination or a negative Covid test was
required to enter, and masks were mandatory.
Despite the absence of several large publishers (Dark Horse
and Skybound did not exhibit, though both have vowed to
return in 2023), there was publishing news. Dynamite
announced it will bring back two beloved Disney properties—
Gargoyles and Darkwing Duck—with reprints of classic tales.
ComicsPRO president Jen Haines (l.), and Viz Media’s Kevin Hamric
DC teased a new team-up between Batman and Todd McFar-
lane’s Spawn, while Marvel offered hints about a new comics consolidated PRH imprints (and artists) previously scattered
series from writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Valerio Schiti. around the show floor. Abrams ComicArts added space to its
Boom! Studios drew buzz with a panel featuring Brzrkr, booth, and IDW, Heavy Metal, and Scout Comics were among
the blockbuster, Kickstarter-funded adventure comics those debuting new set-ups, with IDW’s giant Godzilla cutout
series based around movie star Keanu Reeves. The panel, attracting lots of attention.
which was sponsored by Netflix, Random House, and Bait Top Cow also debuted a new booth for its 30th anniver-
and showcased the growing Brzrkr franchise, was held in the sary. Top Cow president and COO Matt Hawkins called this
6,000-seat Hall H—one of the few comics events in that venue. year’s SDCC “a little more laid back, but in a good way,” not-
At this year’s Publishers Weekly industry panel,“Comics ing that “because there was less film hoopla, there are more
Survived a Pandemic, Now What?,” Viz Media director of people walking by checking us out.”
sales Kevin Hamric underscored the growth of manga sales, Chris Powell, Diamond Comics Distributors’ chief sales
noting, “We went from selling 10–20 copies a year of some and service officer, deemed it a successful show for his com-
titles to 3,000 copies in a month.” pany, despite the entry of two new competitors—Lunar and
But despite booming sales—North American comics and PRH Publisher Services—into the comics shop marketplace
graphic novel sales rose 62% in 2021, according to a joint since the previous SDCC was held in 2019. “Everybody has
report by ICv2 and Comichron—concerns remain. Jen Haines, been upbeat and seems to be enjoying themselves,” Powell
president of the Comics Professional Retail Organization, observed. “So I think Comic-Con is actually back.”
was apprehensive about the possibility of her Canadian shop
having to close down again due to the spread of Covid. Fan- Manga down but far from out
tagraphics associate publisher Eric Reynolds was worried A combination of factors led to a diminished presence of
about printing issues and rising paper costs, and IDW pub- manga on the exhibition floor at SDCC, though manga and
lisher Nachie Marsham expressed concerns about raising webtoon publishers continue to report a wave of strong sales
prices. “We’re really trying to figure out what we can increase and fan enthusiasm. At the Manga Publishing Roundtable,
price on that isn’t going to be too damaging,” he said. representatives from eight manga publishers all reported
Many publishers in San Diego debuted new booths. Pen- strong (and growing) sales in print and digital. One reason
guin Random House showed off a large new booth that for the growth is the increase in the number of locations
6 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ AUGUST 1, 2022
News The Weekly Scorecard
Print Sales Rose 4.4% in
Mid-July
where manga is sold, including specialty gift stores,
grocery stores, comics shops, and mainstream retail Double-digit gains in the adult fi ction and young adult catego-
ries led to a 4.4% increase in unit sales of print books in the
outlets like Target and Walmart. “Every Target store
week ended July 23, 2022, over the comparable week in 2021,
now has at least a four-foot-long section for manga,
at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. Where the Crawdads
with some having selections as large as 16 feet long,”
Sing by Delia Owens, fi ve books by Colleen Hoover, and two
said Ben Applegate, director publisher services at new releases drove sales up 23.1% in adult fi ction. Crawdads
PRH, which oversees production and distribution of remained #1 on the category list, selling more than 123,000
copies. Led by It Ends with Us, Hoover’s top fi ve titles sold
Kodansha manga.
about 295,000 copies combined. The new titles that crack ed
Denpa Books publisher Ed Chavez noted strong sales
the top 10 in the category were Portrait of an Unknown
of English-language manga from outside North America.
Woman by Daniel Silva, which sold more than 40,000 copies,
Hamric said Viz has also seen solid international growth, and Shattered by James Patterson and James O. Born, which
calling the surge in interest in manga “a global phenom- sold more than 25,000 copies. YA fi ction sales rose 15.6%.
Jenny Han titles continued to do well, with fi ve Han books
enon.” Michael Gombos, senior director of licensed pub-
selling about 83,000 copies combined. The top new release
lications at Dark Horse, along with Hamric, emphasized
was Never Never by Serena Valentino, which sold about 9,000
that despite the boom in sales, they did not plan to sig-
copies. Adult nonfi ction sales fell by a relatively mild 3.4%
nificantly increase output of new titles in the next few compared to the week ended July 24, 2021. The small dip came
months, citing ongoing paper shortages and printer despite some tough comparisons to a year ago, when
American Marxism by Mark Levin sold more than 127,000
delays. They were also concerned about oversaturating
copies and I Alone Can Fix It by Carol Leonnig and Philip
the market and overextending their staff’s capacity to
Ruck er sold nearly 91,000 copies. In the most recent week,
produce quality books.
Atomic Habits by James Clear was #1, selling more than
One factor for the smaller manga presence on the show 18,000 copies. Juvenile fi ction sales dipped 0.4%. The newest
floor was the decision by many North American manga edition in Aaron Blabey’s Bad Guys series, Open Wide and Say
Arrgh!, was #1, selling almost 35,000 copies in its fi rst week.
publishers to devote a big chunk of their promotional
budgets to exhibit at Anime Expo, a popular East Asian
TOTAL SALES OF PRINT BOOKS
(in thousands)
pop culture convention held in early July. In addition,
JULY 24, JULY 23, CHGE CHGE
due to strict Covid-related travel restrictions in Japan,
2021 2022 WEEK YTD
there were fewer Japanese guest artists and executives
Total 13,710 14,310 4.4% -6.1%
at SDCC 2022 than in prior years.
Viz had the largest presence at the show, offering give- UNIT SALES OF PRINT BOOKS BY CATEGORY (in thousands)
aways showcasing popular series such as Chainsaw Man. JULY 24, JULY 23, CHGE CHGE
2021 2022 WEEK YTD
Toei Animation had a large booth in the exhibit hall to
Adult Nonfi ction 5,338 5,157 -3.4% -10.3%
promote the upcoming Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Adult Fiction 3,313 4,079 23.1% 6.1%
movie. Anime streaming platform Crunchyroll had a
Juvenile Nonfi ction 1,232 1,161 -5.8% -9.9%
large booth. The webtoon mobile comics platform Tapas
Juvenile Fiction 2,955 2,943 -0.4% -7.5%
Media exhibited on the floor, along with its new partner,
Young Adult Fiction 611 706 15.6% -1.5%
Asian fantasy fiction site Wuxiaworld (“the largest
Young Adult Nonfi ction 71 82 15.8% -2.4%
Chinese-to-English novel translation platform in the
world,” per its website), marking the continued expan-
UNIT SALES OF PRINT BOOKS BY FORMAT
(in thousands)
sion of comics and light novel content from China and
JULY 24, JULY 23, CHGE CHGE
South Korea into the North American market. 2021 2022 WEEK YTD
Despite some no-shows and a few snafus, the return Hardcover 3,655 3,616 -1.1% -10.2%
to an in-person SDCC drew high marks. “Even if there’s Trade Paperback 8,296 9,012 8.6% -1.7%
a mask involved, meeting face-to-face is just so much Mass Market Paperback 667 570 -14.5% -19.9%
more powerful,” said Sean Edgar, director of publicity Board Books 683 676 -1.0% -4.9%
and marketing at Z2 Comics. “Being able to hang out
with colleagues again is such an epiphany. This show was
SOURCE: NPD BOOKSCAN AND PUBLISHERS WEEKLY. NPD’S U.S. CONSUMER MARKET PANEL COV-
thoroughly wonderful.” ERS APPROXIMATELY 80% OF THE PRINT BOOK MARKET AND CONTINUES TO GROW.
—Heidi MacDonald and Deb Aoki
7
WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM
News
After Rebound, Scholastic Stays Bullish
F
ollowing a 12.5% decline in fiscal 2021 due to the Sales in the educational solutions group increased 26%,
pandemic, Scholastic reported a 26% increase in to $393.6 million. Scholastic cited two underlying trends
revenue for fiscal 2022 (which ended May 31) and for the improvement: higher government funding and
posted an operating profit of $97.4 million compared to a increased demand for educational materials, which it said
loss of $22.7 million last year. Sales of $1.64 billion in fiscal is due to the need “to support a generation of students
2021 were higher than the $1.48 billion the publisher affected by the Covid pandemic.” International group rev-
reported in fiscal 2020—when its fourth quarter revenue fell enue fell 3%, to $302.8 million, due largely to the closure
40% at the start of the pandemic—and are about even with of its direct-sales business in Asia and Covid restrictions
revenue in fiscal 2019. in China.
“Our results exceeded expectations for this rebuilding Scholastic expects several of fiscal 2022’s positive trends
year—particularly for book fairs, which was initially the to carry over into 2023. The number of book fairs is expected
area most affected by Covid,” said Scholastic CEO Peter to increase to 85% of the prepandemic level, while high per-
Warwick in a call with analysts. The big revenue driver was fair sales are expected to continue. Problems with the book
the company’s largest division, its children’s book publishing clubs have been fixed, it reported, and it is hopeful of improved
and distribution group, where sales jumped 40%, to $946.5 results in fiscal 2023.
million. Within the group, Scholastic’s book fair business, In the trade group, Scholastic pointed to new releases by
where sales plunged to $164.3 million in fiscal 2021, saw sales bestselling authors such as Dav Pilkey, Brian Selznick, and
hit $429.7 million. The increase was due to “historically high Tui Sutherland driving sales. The publisher also said that
revenue-per-fair” levels—sales were up 13% on a same-fair sales in the trade division should continue to benefit from
basis—and an increase in the number of fairs, which reached media adaptations of popular series. Scholastic Entertain-
about 72% of the prepandemic level. ment has more than 35 projects in development, some of
The children’s group’s trade division had a 7% sales increase, which, such as AppleTV+’s animated series Eva the Owlet,
to $390.4 million, as both backlist and frontlist titles sold well. based on Scholastic’s successful Owl Diaries series, will
A number of series benefitted from media adaptations, includ- impact fiscal 2023.
ing Heartstopper, which has a Netflix series adaptation, and Continued higher levels of government funding, as well
Bad Guys, which was the basis for a feature animated film as ongoing efforts to close the education gap caused by the
from DreamWorks. Book club revenue fell 13%, to $126.4 mil- pandemic, will lead to higher sales in Scholastic’s education
lion, which Scholastic said reflected labor and systems issues solutions unit, it predicted. The company said it will look at
that impacted it early in the fiscal year. “targeted acquisitions” that could help the division grow.
Internationally, Scholastic is expecting modest
SCHOLASTIC FINANCIAL RESULTS, FISCAL 2020–2022
improvement in operating profits as its major
($ in millions) markets continue to recover from the impacts of
2020 2021 2022 CHANGE the pandemic.
2021 VS. 2022
Overall, Scholastic expects total revenue in fiscal
Children’s Book Publishing
2023 to rise by 8%–10% over last year. Not all of
& Distribution Group
that gain will fall to the bottom line, however, as the
$156.8 $145.4 $126.4 -13%
Book Clubs
company expects costs to rise. “Costs for printing,
$383.8 $164.3 $429.7 162%
Book Fairs
paper, and inbound freight have increased our per-
$334.8 $365.3 $390.4 7%
Trade
unit cost by approximately 16% for purchases made
$875.4 $675.0 $946.5 40%
Total Group this year and are expected to remain at these levels
$287.3 $312.3 $393.6 26%
Educational Solutions for the foreseeable future,” said CFO Ken Cleary.
$324.4 $313.0 $302.8 -3%
International An increase in spending to support future growth
Company Total $1,487.1 $1,300.3 $1,642.0 26% will also dent earnings. Still, Scholastic expects
Operating income ($88.5) ($22.7) $97.4 NM profits to increase between 3.2% and 8.5% in the
coming year over fiscal 2022. —Jim Milliot
SOURCE: SCHOLASTIC
8 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ AUGUST 1, 2022