The Rise of the Niche Book Scene

The physical books industry went through a torrid time in the 90s with many independent shops closing due to multiple factors. Competitors offering discounted books, supermarkets selling at a discount and the burgeoning online marketplace all ate their lunch and so the industry seemed in terminal decline, especially within niche interest books. However, something truly amazing has happened in recent years as small, niche publishers have been able to create a business for themselves by selling directly to their consumer or by being able to more easily reach their audience through targeted marketing online. It's been amazing as over the past few years I've contributed to a few Kickstarters or crowd funding projects to purchase books on such niche interests as diverse videogame essays (Offworld) and the animation of DIC (creators of series such as Mysterious Cities of Gold, Inspector Gadget and Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors).

Book publishing has evolved and, whilst it can't beat the experience of browsing a well-stocked bricks and mortar store, I appreciate that all tastes can be catered for.

This has faltered somewhat as in late 2023 (which will date this article) there has been a huge rise in paper and energy costs. The closing of pulp mills, rise in energy costs across the world and the slow economic rise post-Covid has had a knock-on effect but I foresee things settling and things getting better. Now, excuse me as I tuck into my book about the series The OA.