News

Trade hails autumn recession-busters

21.06.09 | Benedicte Page

Booksellers and publishers are banking on a "showbizzy" autumn to defy the economic downturn, with a slew of celebrity-led books lining up for pre-Christmas release, along with an unusually strong list of "five-star" rated fiction authors being published in October.

Penguin m.d. Helen Fraser said: "We need something to inject real pizzazz and excitement into the market, and publishers are doing a good job of providing it this year."

According to a selection of new fiction titles compiled by The Bookseller, October will be outstanding for commercial novels, with new books from 17 authors who carry a Nielsen BookScan five-star rating. These include James Patterson, Robert Harris, Kate Mosse, Patricia Cornwell, Martina Cole, Cecelia Ahern, Bernard Cornwell, Eoin Colfer and Terry Pratchett. They follow a literary September, with Hornby, Faulks and Atwood, as well as "Dan Brown day" on 15th September.

Toby Bourne, Waterstone's head of fiction, said: "There will be a wonderful line-up of fiction this autumn season. There's a huge breadth of range, from the literary giants to the most commercial authors of the day—truly something for everyone this Christmas." Borders buying manager Michael Jones said: "I love that there are so many big fiction names, so varied and with such big followings."

Publishers also hope the whole trade will benefit from a raft of big celebs, with Ozzy Osbourne's long-awaited memoir the latest title confirmed for the autumn. Random House Group chair and c.e.o. Dame Gail Rebuck said: "There is an argument that in times of economic difficulty, creativity soars—and that is certainly the case this autumn with an incredibly strong list of books on offer, both in literary quality and pure entertainment."

But Headline deputy m.d. Kerr McRae warned: "If you're a male comedian, you're in trouble—the choice is too broad. The upside for everyone is that it is showbizzy and there are a couple of iconic figures."

 

The big celebs for Christmas 

Ant & Dec Ooh! What a Lovely Pair Penguin
Sheryl Gascoigne Loving Gazza Penguin
Aled Jones Aled Jones’ Forty Favourite Hymns RH
Michael Palin Halfway to Hollywood: 1980 to 1988 Orion
Jack Dee Thanks for Nothing TW
Russell Brand My Booky Wook 2 HC
Peter Kay Saturday Night Peter RH
Harry Hill TV Burp RH
Dara O’Briain Tickling the English Penguin
Chris Evans The Autobiography HC
Simon Pegg Out of “Spaced” Hodder
Katie Price Standing Out RH
Leona Lewis Leona Hodder
Jo Brand Look Back in Hunger Headline
Ozzy Osbourne I Am Ozzy Sphere

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Sort: Oldest first | Newest first | Readers' most recommended

By Ray Hollingsworth

'Showbizzy' ...'Pizzazz'...'Ant & Dec'...'Sheryl Gascoigne'...'Harry Hill'...welcome to the post modern world of trash publishing. Celebrity gods worshipped by the mindless and the numb of senses. Christmas? Desperation. 'Recession - busters' - reminds me of the 49p shop I came across in Skegness. Publishers are playing their part in destroying the sensors in the brain.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By Miranda S

Let us not forget the new Jezza Clarkson and new Hamster Hammond too, but I draw attention to (like I did to the equivalent story last year) the assumption that the entire trade "hails" celebs. All of the titles on the above list will no doubt be heavily discounted by the supermarkets and big chains, which doesn't give us indies a chance. The "big celebs for Christmas" might be "big" for the "big" stores, but for us, they have no baring on whether we have a good/bad Christmas. However, for fear of sounding too bitter, I will end on a positive

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By Miss Bookish

Calm down dears - I completely understand both sides it can be depressing to see some of the "celebrity" books that are being published - talk about dumbing down - just like the array of magazines Heat etc and the "Big Brother" mentality - what does it all mean and where will it all end? Except of course the masses getting into more debt whilst lining the "celebrities" pockets! Maybe one day they'll wake up but until them its pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap!

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By COMMENTATOR

L.WILSON is of course correct .There needs to be a balanced view here . It is true that the pop mega sellers are robbed from the trade by the supermarkets which is a frustration for many booksellers . However there are real books as well , and as stated Palin and Jo Brand are quality [and] popular writers .
These blogs are reading more and more like the Sun and Mirror and we would welcome a little less "crap" David , and a little more considered thought . It is a booktrade site afterall . Patronising aren't I ?!

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By Cornucopia

William Golding, Somerset Maugham, James Lees-Milne, George Orwell Diaries, Alan Clark, Michael Mansfield, Samuel Johnson, The Queen Mother, Joseph Grimaldi, TS Eliot, Diaghilev, Gyles Brandreth Diairies, Sofia Tolstoy Diaries, Diana Athill bind-up, Jose Saramago, Thomas de Quincey. All of these biographies are coming out this autumn/winter. Plenty for all, in other words. Maybe, just maybe, someone buying Ant & Dec might also buy one of the above, who knows? But I'd submit that a poster in the window of Russell Brand or Peter Kay is going attract more light book buyers than Jose Saramago or Sofia Tolstoy.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By L Wilson

I'm sure many of these titles will be discounted by supermarkets, and I can understand how frustrating that must be for independents. But it's simply wrong to dismiss this list as "a pile of crap" - and frankly any independent with such a negative and condescending view doesn't deserve to stay in business. The likes of Jack Dee, Michael Palin, Simon Pegg and Jo Brand aren't "celebs" in the new, derogatory meaning of the word - Z-listers, BB contestants, etc - they're people who are famous because they are genuinely talented, and to dismiss their books out of hand is foolish and short-sighted.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By murrayatmeteor

This list remindes me of the truism that people get the leaders they deserve. The same rot that affects the behaviour of our politicians is at work in the celebration of this pathetic (with one or two exceptions) list of mega sellers. It's all about values and this list tells you everything!

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By David

Might be good for Asda and Tesco, but that list looks like a pile of crap for any decent indie. Lets hope we get a couple of intelligent memoirs.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By jonny

pile it high sell it........at a fixed discount that we can all compete with.
customers come into the indies "wanting" to buy their books from us.
but what can we expect them to do when WE can often buy the books we stock cheaper on Amazon et all then we can actually purchase them for.
wholesalers currently offering us GREAT value Guiness world records at 52.5%, 10 copies firm sale.
goto asda amazon tesco smiths, and buy 1 copy 50% off, firm sale.
why you wanna get 10???

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By jonny

pile it high sell it........at a fixed discount that we can all compete with.
customers come into the indies "wanting" to buy their books from us.
but what can we expect them to do when WE can often buy the books we stock cheaper on Amazon et all then we can actually purchase them for.
wholesalers currently offering us GREAT value Guiness world records at 52.5%, 10 copies firm sale.
goto asda amazon tesco smiths, and buy 1 copy 50% off, firm sale.
why you wanna get 10???

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By Ummm

Jonny, if it's only worth buying Guiness World Records one copy at a time - one of the biggest guaranteed bestsellers every year - at a discount that should allow you to take a few quid off, is there any point in opening?

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By jonny

my point was more the fact that wholesalers, are putting it across as an exceptional off "only to independents", and 10 copies firm sale isnt that exceptional value.
and sometimes due the the massive discounts given to the supermarkets and chains, no its not "worth" opening

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By Ray Hollingsworth

'Showbizzy' ...'Pizzazz'...'Ant & Dec'...'Sheryl Gascoigne'...'Harry Hill'...welcome to the post modern world of trash publishing. Celebrity gods worshipped by the mindless and the numb of senses. Christmas? Desperation. 'Recession - busters' - reminds me of the 49p shop I came across in Skegness. Publishers are playing their part in destroying the sensors in the brain.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By Miranda S

Let us not forget the new Jezza Clarkson and new Hamster Hammond too, but I draw attention to (like I did to the equivalent story last year) the assumption that the entire trade "hails" celebs. All of the titles on the above list will no doubt be heavily discounted by the supermarkets and big chains, which doesn't give us indies a chance. The "big celebs for Christmas" might be "big" for the "big" stores, but for us, they have no baring on whether we have a good/bad Christmas. However, for fear of sounding too bitter, I will end on a positive

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By David

Might be good for Asda and Tesco, but that list looks like a pile of crap for any decent indie. Lets hope we get a couple of intelligent memoirs.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By murrayatmeteor

This list remindes me of the truism that people get the leaders they deserve. The same rot that affects the behaviour of our politicians is at work in the celebration of this pathetic (with one or two exceptions) list of mega sellers. It's all about values and this list tells you everything!

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By L Wilson

I'm sure many of these titles will be discounted by supermarkets, and I can understand how frustrating that must be for independents. But it's simply wrong to dismiss this list as "a pile of crap" - and frankly any independent with such a negative and condescending view doesn't deserve to stay in business. The likes of Jack Dee, Michael Palin, Simon Pegg and Jo Brand aren't "celebs" in the new, derogatory meaning of the word - Z-listers, BB contestants, etc - they're people who are famous because they are genuinely talented, and to dismiss their books out of hand is foolish and short-sighted.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By Cornucopia

William Golding, Somerset Maugham, James Lees-Milne, George Orwell Diaries, Alan Clark, Michael Mansfield, Samuel Johnson, The Queen Mother, Joseph Grimaldi, TS Eliot, Diaghilev, Gyles Brandreth Diairies, Sofia Tolstoy Diaries, Diana Athill bind-up, Jose Saramago, Thomas de Quincey. All of these biographies are coming out this autumn/winter. Plenty for all, in other words. Maybe, just maybe, someone buying Ant & Dec might also buy one of the above, who knows? But I'd submit that a poster in the window of Russell Brand or Peter Kay is going attract more light book buyers than Jose Saramago or Sofia Tolstoy.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By COMMENTATOR

L.WILSON is of course correct .There needs to be a balanced view here . It is true that the pop mega sellers are robbed from the trade by the supermarkets which is a frustration for many booksellers . However there are real books as well , and as stated Palin and Jo Brand are quality [and] popular writers .
These blogs are reading more and more like the Sun and Mirror and we would welcome a little less "crap" David , and a little more considered thought . It is a booktrade site afterall . Patronising aren't I ?!

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By Miss Bookish

Calm down dears - I completely understand both sides it can be depressing to see some of the "celebrity" books that are being published - talk about dumbing down - just like the array of magazines Heat etc and the "Big Brother" mentality - what does it all mean and where will it all end? Except of course the masses getting into more debt whilst lining the "celebrities" pockets! Maybe one day they'll wake up but until them its pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap!

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By jonny

pile it high sell it........at a fixed discount that we can all compete with.
customers come into the indies "wanting" to buy their books from us.
but what can we expect them to do when WE can often buy the books we stock cheaper on Amazon et all then we can actually purchase them for.
wholesalers currently offering us GREAT value Guiness world records at 52.5%, 10 copies firm sale.
goto asda amazon tesco smiths, and buy 1 copy 50% off, firm sale.
why you wanna get 10???

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By jonny

pile it high sell it........at a fixed discount that we can all compete with.
customers come into the indies "wanting" to buy their books from us.
but what can we expect them to do when WE can often buy the books we stock cheaper on Amazon et all then we can actually purchase them for.
wholesalers currently offering us GREAT value Guiness world records at 52.5%, 10 copies firm sale.
goto asda amazon tesco smiths, and buy 1 copy 50% off, firm sale.
why you wanna get 10???

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By Ummm

Jonny, if it's only worth buying Guiness World Records one copy at a time - one of the biggest guaranteed bestsellers every year - at a discount that should allow you to take a few quid off, is there any point in opening?

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43
By jonny

my point was more the fact that wholesalers, are putting it across as an exceptional off "only to independents", and 10 copies firm sale isnt that exceptional value.
and sometimes due the the massive discounts given to the supermarkets and chains, no its not "worth" opening

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 12:43

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