'Twenty-four percent of booksellers are expecting sales to be ‘excellent’ this Christmas, double the number who had high expectations for the same time last year (12%). Most respondents, however, are cautiously awaiting the outcome of the Christmas rush, with 75% predicting sales to be ‘okay’ (down from 81% in 2017). On a positive note, just one percent of booksellers predict Christmas to be ‘disappointing’ sales-wise, down from six percent last year.' (Introduction)
'Australian fiction titles are popular with book buyers this Christmas period, with statistics from Nielsen BookScan showing Australian fiction titles high on the bestsellers chart and an increased market share for fiction.' (Introduction)
'Most booksellers are pleased with the books on offer this Christmas, with 75% considering the titles available ‘strong’, and just one percent considering them ‘disappointing’.' (Introduction)
'Fremantle Press is partnering with social-purpose organisation the Fogarty Foundation to launch an unpublished manuscript award for young writers in Western Australia, worth $20,000.' (Introduction)
'Blogger and appearance activist Carly Findlay will edit the forthcoming anthology Growing Up Disabled in Australia, to be published by Black Inc. in 2020.' (Introduction)