How Viable Is Crowdfunding For Book Entrepreneurs?

Despite the closing, opening, and mergers of publishers as well as the shuttering of many bookstores, both chain and independent, there’s been incremental sales growth in the publishing industry. Publisher’s Weekly reported that bookstore sales increased in 2015 for the first time since 2007 by 2.5%. The Association of American Publishers reported 2015 end-of-year trade sales up at $7.2 billion compared to $7.1 billion in 2014. The American Bookseller Association noted that 61 new independent bookstores opened in 2015 and Publisher’s Weekly highlighted Black-owned stores that are new and/or thriving.