It’s been a bit over a month since the Covid-19 outbreak shut down New York City. In that time, the food service industry has been wrecked, the income inequality divide has deepened, and nearly 50,000 lives have been lost in the US due to coronavirus related symptoms. So how has the book publishing industry fared through this global pandemic?
Cancellations and Closures
With the need for social distancing unarguably paramount, numerous bookstores have had to fetter their stores, and countless conventions and author signings have been cancelled. Below are just a few of of the stores and meetings that have taken a hit. For a more comprehensive list, please see the compilation put together by Publishers Weekly.
- As of April 2nd, Barnes and Noble had temporarily shut down over 500 stores and furloughed numerous employees. However, they still have various locations open for curbside pickup and delivery.
- As of April 2nd, Half Price books had closed all 126 of it’s stores and furloughed/laid off over 2,000 employees. The retailer will re-open it’s Texas locations for curb-side pickup beginning on Friday 4/24.
- All NYC bookstores have been closed since March when Governor Cuomo issued a “pause” on all non-essential services. This includes landmark stores — The Strand and McNally Jackson. The Strand has also halted all online book orders, while McNally Jackson is still taking online orders through its website — you can even email them for book recommendations at info@mcnallyjackson.com.
- BookExpo, UnBound and BookCon 2020 have all been cancelled.
The Silver Lining
While these numbers look grave, it’s important to keep in mind the small accomplishments the industry has mustered in these difficult times.
- Numerous donations are being made to Save Indie Bookstores as patrons attempt to ease some of the financial burden small retailers face.
- Amidst all this craziness — after a year on hiatus — Bay Books in California has re-opened its doors and is now taking orders for pickup and delivery.
- Rather than cancelling, numerous literary festivals have all moved their programming online. Bay Area Book Festival and Sant Jordi in New York are just two of the festivals offering virtual events in the next week.
Want to know more about the impact of Covid-19 on publishing? Tune back in next week for a look at book sales over the past two months.
Can’t wait that long? See how other WNBA members are doing with our new series — The Social Distancing Life.
