Middle Grade tipped to grow in 2017

Publishers will continue to look for diverse and political children’s books in 2017, and humorous books and Middle Grade fiction will make up a large proportion of book sales, according to industry experts.

Jenny Broom, editorial director of Frances Lincoln Children’s Books and Wide Eyed Editions, said changes in the political landscape would lead to a demand for books that promote diversity, tolerance and inclusivity, as well as “another timely issue”: female empowerment.

Tom Bonnick, business development manager of Nosy Crow, agreed, telling The Bookseller: “In the current political climate, children’s books are more important than ever: it’s vital to expose young readers to different ideas, cultures and beliefs. I hope that the events of this year give children’s publishers reason to take those responsibilities more seriously.”

Firefly Press founder Penny Thomas said the “buoyant” children’s book market could diversify in terms of genre and subject matter, while agent Molly Ker Hawn of The Bent Agency thought publishers would seek stories that represent marginalised communities. Thomas and Bonnick also warned that the impact of Brexit would continue to reverberate across the book market. Thomas said Brexit themes “will pop up here and there” in stories, while Bonnick predicted a departure from the EU would affect book prices. “Prices can be expected to go up as a result of the weakening of the pound against foreign currencies, particularly the [US] dollar. Weak sterling is also, in some cases, determining what kinds of publishing are even possible: some projects have become commercially unviable as a result of Brexit.”

In terms of sales, most publishers put their money on humour titles and Middle Grade fiction topping the charts next year. Literary agent Anne Clark said “emotionally intelligent” Middle Grade, and stories that mixed magic and reality, would prove popular, while Venetia Gosling, Macmillan Children’s Books’ 6+ publisher, said Middle Grade fiction would move to target younger readers, as authors and illustrators look to the 6/7+ readership.

Gemma Cooper, also of The Bent Agency, said the shift to Middle Grade was due in part to Waterstones’ Children’s Book of the Month campaign, which was encouraging publishers to acquire titles for the eight to 12 market. “This has led to a very strong year of Middle Grade publishing in 2016, particularly from UK authors who write fantasy and funny Middle Grade. I think this will continue in 2017, as publishers have looked all year to acquire books that could fill this slot.”

Anne McNeil, publishing director at Hachette Children’s Books, said “trusted authors” such as Enid Blyton would continue to appeal to consumers, and that celebrity publishing was “here to stay”. “Celebrities who are original, creative and really serious about being in the world of children’s publishing . . . [their] books will stand out and last.” She also predicted that “books with heart and humour titles will be at the forefront of picture book retail success.”

Leah McDowell, design and publishing manager at Scotland’s Floris Books, said picture books would become more beautiful, stating that consumers were moving away from “brash, low-quality picture books”. Broom agreed, saying: “Packages that celebrate the physical properties of a book have continued to flourish this year, and we anticipate an appetite for innovative novelty in 2017.”

Broom also backed books about “STEAM” subjects (science, technology, engineering, art and design, and maths) to become a “prominent area” of non-fiction publishing.

In Ireland, YA is currently dominating the children’s market, with some insiders reporting that Middle Grade titles were thin on the ground. Little Island Books publishing manager Grainne Clear said: “YA is having a boom—lots of YA writers were recognised at the Irish Book Awards this year. However, there is a bit of a dearth of eight to 12 fiction at the moment.”

Read The Bookseller's children's previewer Fiona Noble's top tips for children's books coming out in the next 12 months here.