June 14, 2026

Ups and Downs

Last week, data from the Audio Publishers Association showed that audiobook sales hit $2.43 billion in 2025—a 9% increase over 2024. HarperCollins tapped Christa Désir, former editorial director for Bloom Books and Sourcebooks Romance, to join its Avon Group in a similar role. A study commissioned by the Authors Guild suggested that changing reader habits could be denting authors’ earnings. Workers at Catapult Book Group voted to unionize following an election with the National Labor Relations Board. Random House Publishing Group’s Harmony and Convergent nonfiction imprints are being unified under VP and editorial director Derek Reed. And book world veteran David C. Nelson died at 78.

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani (c.) joined Daniel Squadron (l.), former New York state senator and cofounder of The States Project, at the New York Public Library on June 8 for an on-stage conversation to launch Squadron’s new book, The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union (Zando). The sold-out event was part of the Live from NYPL series. Pictured backstage with the pair is Molly Stern, CEO and founder of Zando.
(Courtesy Zando)

U.S. Audiobook Sales Grew 9% in 2025, to $2.43 Billion

The market continues to make gains, with publishers reporting 750,000 active titles last year, a 43% increase from 2024. Overall, an estimated 58% of Americans 18 or older have listened to an audiobook. more

HarperCollins Taps Christa Désir to Join Avon Group

Désir has been named VP and editorial director of the division. She previously spearheaded the romance lists at Sourcebooks, where she served in a parallel role for the Bloom Books and Sourcebooks Romance imprints. more

Authors Guild Looks at Why Author Incomes Are in Decline

A survey commissioned by the Guild found that only 25% of print books and e-books read in the past month were bought new or through a paid subscription, with readers increasingly turning to low- or non-royalty generating channels to access authors’ work. more

Catapult Workers Collective Wins Union Election

An “overwhelming majority” of workers at the Brooklyn-based Catapult Book Group have voted to join UAW Local 2110 via an election with the National Labor Relations Board, per an announcement. Staff announced their intent to unionize in April. more

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