International Update: Canadian Publishers See Increased Revenue in 2021; Philippine Bookstore Chain Gets New Nickname

More than half of publishers (55%) saw an increase in revenue for 2021 compared to 2020, according to the State of Publishing in Canada 2021 study, released by BookNet Canada, that provides a comprehensive overview of the country's English-language publishing landscape. 

Small publishers, accounting for 65% of survey respondents, had 2021 gross revenue of under C$1 million (about US$755,035). The remainder were made up of mid-sized publishers (26%) with revenue between C$1 million to C$9,999,999 (about US$7,540,340) and large publishers (9%) with revenue of C$10 million or more. The largest share of publishers (40%) had been in business for more than 35 years. There was an average of 20 full-time and nine part-time employees in 2021 for publishing firms based in Canada.

In terms of digital books in 2021, 52% saw increases in e-book revenue compared to 2020, and just over a quarter of all publishers (28%) saw increases in audiobook revenue in the same period.

Primary industry challenges cited by publishers in 2021 were printing (27%), shipping (20%) and operational challenges (19%), while achievements noted were their sales (28%), titles (28%) and navigating Covid-19 (26%). Overall, 49% of publishers described the health of their company as excellent in 2021, based on their ability to withstand challenges, adapt and change. Remote or hybrid work arrangements was one of the changes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and 63% of responding publishers indicated they would be implementing some changes permanently. BookNet's State of Publishing in Canada 2021 is available here

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"What is 'Nash' and why is it trending on Twitter" on Philippine Twitter? GMA News reported that Nash is short for National Book Store and "trended overnight when netizen @barrrrre tweeted a recent experience at the popular bookstore, where school supplies seem to constantly be out of stock."

"I remember as a kid going to Nash was always exciting because they had it all," he ended his tweet, then followed up with another tweet recalling previous, better experiences at NBS. 

"But his followup seemingly went unnoticed by netizens, who quickly reacted to his initial tweet where he called National, 'Nash,' " GMA News wrote. "It's blew up pretty big, pretty quickly so much so that National Book Store itself hopped on the trend."

"Call me National, Nash for short," @nbsalert tweeted late Monday. 

"I know a lot of people from Ateneo/Miriam who call it Nash, so pretty weird that people find it weird calling it as such," @barrrrre wrote to a friend, adding he didn't realize his post would blow up. As of yesterday, the original tweet had garnered more than 8,000 retweets and over 55,000 likes

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The 99th Australian Booksellers Association Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition has been scheduled for June 17-19, 2023, at the Adelaide Convention Centre, which the ABA described as "a striking landmark on Adelaide's Riverbank" as well as "one of the world's most modern, flexible and technologically advanced venues. Located just 15 minutes drive from Adelaide International Airport and a stone's throw from South Australia's famed tourist regions."

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Posted by Canadian author Louise Penny on Facebook: "Am in Paris for meetings with bookstores. Walking to one, I passed this. Will return to London tomorrow and watch the funeral on Monday with friends." --Robert Gray

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