US audiobook fiction up 61.8% in July

In the US, Publishers Weekly (PW) reports that digital audio sales jumped significantly in the month of July, compared to the same time the previous year, based on total sales for the 1277 publishers that report results to the Association of American Publishers’ (APA) StatShot program.

In July, digital audio was up 61.8% in adult fiction and 58.3% in adult nonfiction, and the format represented about 20% of adult fiction sales and 18% of nonfiction sales. ‘Although its impact on the children’s/young adult category is not as profound as in adult, digital audio had the biggest increase in fiction sales, rising 37.5%,’ reported PW.

In ebooks, sales rose 9.9% in adult fiction but dropped 3% in nonfiction. Total adult fiction sales rose 25.8% and nonfiction 21.4% in July.

In children’s fiction, hardcover sales were up 21.1% in July and paperback 22%, resulting in a 21% jump in segment sales; however, nonfiction sales dropped 6.7% in the month.

PW previously reported the US audiobook market revenue increased by 9% to US$2 billion in 2023, according to the APA.

Category: International news