I shared some predictions for children’s literature market in the January edition of SCBWI INSIGHT, a monthly enewsletter for members of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators. INSIGHT features current children’s book hot topics, helpful hints, exclusive interviews and monthly contests. When talking about likelihoods for 2021, emerging trend-lines are intriguing to extend forward. I appreciated the challenge and opportunity to do so.
January is typically the time of retrospectives, but in the spirit of good riddance, let’s cast our eyes forward. The health of our special market is uniquely unpredictable in this tenth month of nationwide lockdowns. Even so, as we roll into tiered vaccinations and flex the new skills, insights, and advancements that 2020 forced upon us, trend-lines have emerged. The publishing industry has shown resilience in keeping the supply chain chugging despite early fears of buckling, and Trade (consumer books) has slimly bettered 2019 sales. This, from an industry often likened to a dinosaur with an ocean liner’s maneuverability. The successes have been hard won and patchy, however. Here are some predictions for the children’s book market in this uniquely unpredictable year….
Deborah Halverson, SCBWI INSIGHT, January 2021
