Book Riot - The Podcast: Gaiman Sued, Blurbs Deprecated, and A Book Sales Check-In

Release Date: February 10, 2025

In this episode of Book Riot - The Podcast, hosts Jeff O'Neill and Rebecca Schinsky delve into significant developments in the literary world, offering insightful discussions on legal battles involving prominent authors, the evolving role of blurbs in publishing, and a comprehensive analysis of book sales trends with guest Brenna Connor from Circana. The episode skillfully navigates through complex topics, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the current state and future directions of the book industry.

1. Legal Battles in the Literary World

a. Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer Lawsuit

The episode opens with a heavy discussion on the civil lawsuit filed against renowned authors Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer. The hosts highlight the seriousness of the accusations, which revolve around human trafficking and rape, as reported by Scarlet Pavlovich, a primary accuser.

• Jeff O'Neill explains the nature of civil suits, emphasizing the lower threshold of proof: “the burden of proof in a civil suit is preponderance of the evidence rather than beyond a reasonable doubt” (09:35).
• Rebecca Schinsky provides context about Scarlet Pavlovich's role and her experiences, noting, “Scarlet Pavlovich has had some canny legal advice here, and I like her chances in court as well” (10:33).

The conversation reflects on the potential consequences for Gaiman, suggesting that the ongoing legal troubles could lead to significant repercussions both legally and reputationally.

b. Salman Rushdie's Attacker Trial

Moving forward, the podcast discusses the forthcoming trial of the individual accused of attacking Salman Rushdie. The hosts express curiosity about the proceedings and Rushdie's potential testimony.

• Jeff O'Neill remarks, “it's a very interesting document. I don't know how available those things are” (13:22).
• Rebecca Schinsky shares insights from Rushdie's memoir, noting his reluctance to confront his attacker but acknowledging the complexity of the situation (14:00).

c. Authors Guild's Lawsuit Against Idaho

A significant segment is dedicated to the Authors Guild's lawsuit against Idaho over a stringent book banning law, HB 710. This law categorizes books containing "sexual content" as harmful to minors, leading to extensive restrictions.

• Jeff O'Neill discusses the broad and vague definitions within the law, stating, “the law makes those distinctions between infants and 17 year olds, plaintiffs argued” (15:32).
• Rebecca Schinsky elaborates on the impact, explaining how the law indiscriminately bans books based on a broad definition of sexual content, severely limiting access to educational and literary materials for minors (16:22).

The hosts express concern over the chilling effects of such legislation, highlighting the diminished access to diverse reading materials for young audiences.

2. The Changing Landscape of Book Blurbs

The podcast transitions to a critical examination of the role of blurbs in the publishing industry. Blurbs, endorsements or quotes on book covers from notable figures, have long been a staple in marketing literature.

• Jeff O'Neill introduces the topic by acknowledging the mixed feelings authors have towards blurbs: “authors really hate blurbs because they've got to go get them, they've got to solicit them” (17:44).
• Rebecca Schinsky adds depth to the discussion, highlighting the vulnerability authors feel when soliciting genuine endorsements: “asking people to, you read my book and then, God, I hope that you have nice things to say about it is terrifying and vulnerable” (18:20).

The hosts explore the efficacy of blurbs, debating whether they genuinely influence readers or are merely a byproduct of industry practices.

• Jeff O'Neill points out the potential marketing value, especially when endorsements come from highly recognizable figures: “If there's a blurb by Adam Grant, you do it” (20:38).
• Rebecca Schinsky concurs, noting that while blurbs might not always influence her directly, they can tip the scales for other readers: “every now and then there will be a blurb that is the thing that I'm like that, that tips me over into, like, okay, now I have more time for this title” (21:10).

The discussion underscores the complex relationship between publishers and authors regarding blurbs, balancing marketing benefits against the authors' reluctance to engage in what can be a time-consuming and pressured process.

3. Book Reviews: Front List Foyer

In the Front List Foyer segment, the hosts review and discuss several notable books:

a. "The Loves of My Life" by Edmund White

A candid memoir that explores Edmund White's extensive sexual life as a gay man in America, spanning from his youth in the 1950s to his current life in his mid-80s.

• Rebecca Schinsky describes the memoir as “spicy” and delves into its non-linear narrative, which focuses on specific relationships and phases of White's life (32:18).
• She praises White's bravery in sharing intimate details, asserting, “It's really something. I think it's quite brave to have like, to have put it all, like really put it all out there” (33:40).

b. "The Hippie Trail" by Rick Steves

A travel journal from 1978, documenting Rick Steves' journey from Istanbul to India and Nepal, offering a nostalgic glimpse into his early adventures.

• Rebecca Schinsky highlights the vivid descriptions and Rick Steves' authentic voice, noting how the book intersects with academic research on a meaningful life (35:47).
• The review emphasizes the book's ability to convey the essence of Rick Steves' character and the broader cultural context of his travels (36:00).

c. "Bibliophobia" by Sara Chahaya

A memoir that examines the complex relationship between reading and mental illness, challenging the notion that books can serve as a panacea for personal struggles.

• Jeff O'Neill introduces the book as a skeptical take on the healing power of literature, stating, “books can't do everything, Rebecca. They cannot heal you” (42:10).
• Rebecca Schinsky adds that the memoir is a critical exploration of how books can both help and hinder mental health, suggesting an engaging and thoughtful read (43:08).

4. Book Sales Check-In with Brenna Connor

Guest Brenna Connor from Circana provides a detailed analysis of book sales trends for 2024 and offers projections for 2025. Her insights are crucial for understanding the market dynamics influenced by factors like BookTok, digital formats, and shifting consumer behaviors.

a. Overall Market Growth

• Brenna Connor reports a 1% increase in print book unit sales for 2024, marking the first growth since 2021: “This return to growth and the other thing I want to note is that at Circana, we track many industries outside of books. So I get to see performance across many different industries.” (48:31)

b. Impact of BookTok on Sales

• The BookTok phenomenon, originating from TikTok, continues to significantly influence adult fiction sales, particularly in fantasy, thrillers, and romance genres: “Adult fiction led the growth for the print book market in 2024. The categories that drove the highest gains are all coming from Booktok.” (50:55)
• Jeff O'Neill highlights the prominence of authors like Frida McFadden, Sarah J. Maas, and Rebecca Yarros, attributing their success to BookTok’s influence (51:21).

c. Decline in Middle Grade Kids Books

A troubling trend identified is the third consecutive year of declining sales in the middle grade (ages 9-12) segment.

• Brenna Connor attributes this decline to increased screen time during and post-pandemic, reduced reading for pleasure, and a decrease in parental prioritization of reading time at home: “a lot of kids got more screen time during the pandemic... there's a drop in kids reading for fun” (57:16)
• Additionally, reading scores have plummeted, reflecting a broader educational challenge: “reading scores is also on the decline. And this is obviously a major concern for educators and it should be a major concern for parents as well.” (57:16)

d. Digital Formats: Ebooks and Audiobooks

The digital segment of the market is experiencing robust growth, with audiobooks leading at a 25% increase year-over-year.

• Brenna Connor notes, “digital audio has been on the rise compared to ebooks” and emphasizes the dominance of BookTok in driving digital sales across genres (65:24).
• Jeff O'Neill expresses awe at the sustained growth, remarking, “a lot of this feels like it's an astonishing run.” (65:02)

e. Holiday Trends and Notable Releases

The holiday season saw strategic releases that capitalized on cultural phenomena:

• Taylor Swift’s "Eras Tour" book, released exclusively at Target on Black Friday, became a bestseller: “The book itself sold very well. It was one of the fastest selling books in the adult non fiction market over the last few years.” (67:25)
• Brenna Connor highlights the success of niche products like family journals, which encourage sharing personal stories, as well as a resurgence in dystopian fiction, driven by societal and political climates: “dystopian fiction is back on the bestseller list... younger consumers are coming into the store and asking for these titles.” (78:06)

5. Looking Ahead to 2025

a. Continued Growth in Escape-Driven Genres

Both hosts and Brenna Connor anticipate that genres offering escapism—fantasy, romance, thrillers, science fiction, and horror—will continue to thrive as readers seek refuge from daily stresses.

• Brenna Connor states, “there will be a greater appetite for reading stories that kind of allow you to escape into another world or, you know, live a different perspective” (70:12).

b. Resilience of BookTok and Reader Engagement

Even with uncertainties surrounding TikTok's future, the BookTok community is expected to adapt and find new platforms for discovery, ensuring sustained interest in literature.

• Brenna Connor emphasizes the adaptability of engaged readers: “this new group of really engaged readers is not going to stop buying books and they won't stop reading just because TikTok goes away” (75:11).

c. Optimism for Kids Market Recovery

Despite the decline in middle grade sales, there is optimism for a rebound in 2025, supported by late-year growth and increased parental emphasis on reading: “I'm really rooting for the kids market and really hoping that more parents are prioritizing reading time at home over other activities” (72:47).

Conclusion

This episode of Book Riot - The Podcast offers a multifaceted exploration of the literary landscape, intertwining legal challenges, industry practices, and market dynamics. Through thoughtful analysis and expert insights from Brenna Connor, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the forces shaping book sales and publishing trends. The discussions on the role of blurbs, the impact of social media platforms like BookTok, and the resilience of digital formats provide valuable perspectives for authors, publishers, and avid readers alike. As the industry navigates these complexities, the hosts and their guest illuminate the path forward, underscoring the enduring significance of books in our lives.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff O'Neill at [09:35]: “the burden of proof in a civil suit is preponderance of the evidence rather than beyond a reasonable doubt.”

• Rebecca Schinsky at [10:33]: “Scarlet Pavlovich has had some canny legal advice here, and I like her chances in court as well.”

• Jeff O'Neill at [17:44]: “authors really hate blurbs because they've got to go get them, they've got to solicit them.”

• Rebecca Schinsky at [18:20]: “asking people to, you read my book and then, God, I hope that you have nice things to say about it is terrifying and vulnerable.”

• Rebecca Schinsky at [21:10]: “every now and then there will be a blurb that is the thing that I'm like that, that tips me over into, like, okay, now I have more time for this title”.

• Brenna Connor at [48:31]: “As you mentioned, print book unit sales grew 1% in 2024 compared to the prior year. This is the first year of growth that we've marked since 2021 in our data set, which is great.”

• Brenna Connor at [50:55]: “Adult fiction led the growth for the print book market in 2024. The categories that drove the highest gains are all coming from Booktok.”

• Rebecca Schinsky at [57:16]: “There’s a drop in kids reading for fun and there's a drop in parents prioritizing reading time at home.”

• Brenna Connor at [65:24]: “Audiobooks have been on the rise compared to ebooks.”

• Brenna Connor at [75:11]: “this new group of really engaged readers is not going to stop buying books and they won't stop reading just because TikTok goes away.”