Why We’re Optimistic. And Why You Should Be Too.

Jon Bard — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:51:45 +0000

These days, picking up a newspaper or turning on your TV is an exercise in courage. Lord only knows what terrible piece of financial news will arise next. And it’s not just some abstract issue that impacts "the big boys". The current economic situation hits each of us, and makes each day its own unique challenge. Set against this backdrop, it’s no wonder that so many writers are pessimistic about the future of publishing, and by extension, their own future as writers. We get it. Really, we do. But enough, already. There are myriad reasons to believe that the sky is not, in fact falling, and that your chances of finding continuing success as a children’s writer remain undiminished. In fact, there’s good reason to believe that those tough enough to hang around and perfect their craft during these times will ultimately be in better shape than they could have possibly imagined. This optimism is not based on hopes, or wishes or fantasy. We have real reasons to tell you not to waver and to have a positive outlook moving ahead. Here they are:

Children’s Books are Still Selling Strongly. According to Publishers Weekly, children’s books "proved to be one of the most recession resistant segments of the book business" throughout the 2008 holiday season. Sales were strong across age groups. Many stores reported increased sales numbers over 2007. It may be lost amidst the gloom and doom on your business page, but children’s books are still selling well.

Children’s Books are Outselling Adult Books. As we write this, the top five overall best-sellers in America, according to USA Today, are children’s/YA books. The Last Straw, the latest installment of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, is number one. The Twilight series claims slots two through five. When children’s books

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Why We’re Optimistic. And Why You Should Be Too.