Book Business Top Stories for 2023

Last year, publishers debated the impact of AI and fought book bans in US schools and libraries.

The two biggest book business stories of 2023 played out across all aspects of publishing, according to Publishers Weekly.

An effort to stop the surge in book bans in US schools and libraries saw publishers, booksellers, and others band together to file lawsuits in Florida, Iowa, and Texas, notes PW’s Jim Milliot.

Also, debate over the impact of AI on publishing heated up, even while publishers sought a path to adopt the technology that maximizes benefits and minimizes disruption.

“Other big stories included a re-organization of Hachette Livre that saw UK CEO David Shelley take the reins from Michael Pietsch, who will serve as chairman for 2024,” says Andrew Albanese, PW executive editor.

“Meanwhile, Simon & Schuster found a new home when private equity firm KKR, completed its $1.62 billion acquisition of Simon & Schuster on October 30,” Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally.

Every Friday, CCC’s “Velocity of Content” features the editors and reporters of Publishers Weekly for an early look at what news publishers, editors, authors, agents, and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.