Print and audio book sales boost S&S revenue

Sales at Simon & Schuster grew 10% in the second quarter of 2017, hitting $206 million (£158m).

Following the trend seen by other large publishers, Simon & Schuster’s revenue is benefitting from an increase in print sales and digital audio sales.

Publishing operating was also up, by 8% to $28 million (£21.5m) for the second quarter of 2017, mainly reflecting the revenue growth.

For the publishing group, biggest sellers in the period were Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare and I Can't Make This Up by Kevin Hart.

S&S UK results were not broken out.

Simon & Schuster has hit the headlines over the last quarter after dropping right wing commentator Milo Yiannopoulos from its publishing schedule in February following a radio interview in which the former Breitbart editor appeared to condone sexual relations with young boys.

The controversial media personality filed a $10m lawsuit against S&S US last month for breach of contract for dropping his book, but the publisher said the suit was “without merit” and it “fully expected to prevail in court”.