Your Daily Book Publishing Briefing

Print Sales Remain Flat Through September, Digital Audio Surges as E-books Decline

• Total print unit sales in the U.S. were down 0.1% through September 2026 compared to the same period last year, indicating a flat overall performance in the print market. Adult fiction, however, showed robust growth of 7.7%, with horror sales up nearly 40% and science fiction surging by 93%, notably driven by titles like *Project Hail Mary*. This contrasts with declines in fantasy and romance, which were down 8% to 9% respectively.

  JanefriedmanGoodereader

• Digital audiobooks continued their strong performance, with revenues increasing by 12.6% in August 2026, reaching $105.4 million. Conversely, e-book revenues experienced a 5.7% decline in August, totaling $83.9 million for the month. This trend highlights a continued shift in digital consumption preferences within the industry.

  GoodereaderPiworld

• In a strategic move to expand services, Cardinal Publishers Group formally partnered with Total Printing Systems (TPS) on October 2, 2026. This collaboration aims to enhance both entities' capacities within the industry, with TPS, primarily a book printer, now offering distribution services to its clients to become a comprehensive "one-stop-shop for books."

  PiworldStocktitan

• Skillful Craftsman Education Technology (EDTK) signed an agreement on October 10, 2026, to acquire a 70% controlling interest in URAY, a Singapore-based game developer and publisher. This acquisition extends EDTK's AI activities beyond education into interactive content and global game publishing, signaling a growing integration of AI resources and diverse publishing formats.

  Stocktitan