More books are published on ‘Super Thursday’ than any other day of the year – and 2024’s total of nearly 1,900 represents a massive jump up from the 1,286 titles published last year.
One of the bigger titles is former Prime Minister Johnson’s memoir, Unleashed, which recounts his political life, from London mayor to 10 Downing Street. Fiction’s top likely sellers include Rebus author Ian Rankin’s latest installment, Midnight and Blue, which was adapted for the BBC earlier this year.
Children’s fantasy author AF Steadman’s latest work is also out today, Skandar and the Skeleton Curse; Steadman made headlines in 2020 for landing a seven-figure advance on the rights to her first three books, at just 28 years old.
Regulars on X will also likely know another author published today, Rory Cellan-Jones, who has captured the attention of Twitter-goers since the pandemic with the story of how he won the trust of his adopted dog Sophie. He has deployed a life-size cardboard cut-out of the shy dog on parts of his promo tour.
Another viral sensation, Rick Astley, who saw his late 80s fame endure thanks to his mocked – yet beloved – hit, Never Gonna Give You Up, which became a popular internet meme in the 2000s, has published his own book.
Some call it Super Thursday
— Waterstones (@Waterstones) October 10, 2024
Some Da Big One (no one calls it that)
Some the week I should have booked off as annual leave (that may have been me)
These are the biggies. The names you love, the writers you follow, the ones you've been waiting for:https://t.co/wdOd4BA40R pic.twitter.com/JQihVRUgnR
The high number of books published today represent a recovery of the industry from the lower numbers following the pandemic, with 2023 and 2022 seeing around 30% fewer titles published on Super Thursday than 2024.
While this autumn is seeing a bumper crop of titles from publishers, UK printers may not be seeing the benefits, according to Stephen Docherty, chairman of Glasgow book printer Bell & Bain.
He told Printweek that in the wake of the pandemic, publishers had moved their printing back offshore in the search for cheaper print.
“People are back to producing books in India, China, Turkey, or wherever they can find the best price,” he said.
“We have many loyal customers, but I know most people are finding it a difficult situation at the minute – I’m sure buying numbers are down [across the UK industry].”
He likened UK book printing to the village pub – use it, or lose it.
“The truth is, if nobody goes to the village pub, it closes because it can’t sustain business. The restrictions that the UK faces compared to other countries in Europe and Asia, the materials we can use – I find the legislation almost crippling. On a level playing field, I don’t think there would be many companies around the world that could compete with Bell & Bain.
“We’re probably one of the lucky ones, but I’m absolutely feeling the pain of trying to find work and get it out the door.”
Docherty encouraged the government to get behind UK print, adding: “The government just seems to make it harder.”
