The Top Ten Publishers in America
For years, we have said that we are the largest Christian publisher and the ninth largest trade publisher in America. However, I have never really been able to get at the data behind this claim. Now I have it. As it turns out, we are bigger than I thought relative to other trade publishers. We are still the largest Christian publisher, but we are actually the sixth largest trade publisher.
Over the past several months, we have compiled a proprietary database made up of various point-of-sale databases. It includes all the major retail sales channels. It does not include international, ministry, book fairs, direct-to-consumer sales, etc. If it did, we would be higher on the list because of our robust ministry, school fundraising, and live event sales. Scholastic would also be higher on the list because of their huge book fair business. However, this database only tracks sales through retail channels.
We are now updating this on a monthly basis. As far as I know, we are the only publisher in world who has this information.
Based on the twelve months ending November 30, the top ten trade publishers are:
| Top Ten Trade Publishers | ||
| Rank | Publisher | Market Share |
| 1 | Random House | 17.2% |
| 2 | HarperCollins* | 13.3% |
| 3 | Simon & Schuster | 9.2% |
| 4 | Penguin | 8.7% |
| 5 | Hachette | 5.9% |
| 6 | Thomas Nelson | 4.8% |
| 7 | St. Martin’s | 3.2% |
| 8 | Tyndale | 1.9% |
| 9 | John Wiley & Sons | 1.7% |
| 10 | Scholastic | 1.6% |
| Total Top Ten | 67.5% | |
*Includes Zondervan
The top ten Christian publishers are:
| Top Ten Christian Publishers | ||
| Rank | Publisher | Market Share |
| 1 | Thomas Nelson | 25.7% |
| 2 | Zondervan | 24.7% |
| 3 | Tyndale | 10.3% |
| 4 | Baker | 4.5% |
| 5 | Broadman & Holman | 4.0% |
| 6 | Multnomah | 3.0% |
| 7 | Harvest House | 2.4% |
| 8 | NavPress | 2.1% |
| 9 | Barbour | 1.8% |
| 10 | Moody | 1.8% |
| Total Top Ten | 80.3% | |
My goal is for Thomas Nelson to become a top three trade publisher by 2012.
Technorati Tags: books, market share, publishing
Posted on December 20, 2006
In: Publishing
MICHELE CUSHATT is a communicator and storyteller whose speaking experience includes Women of Faith, Focus on the Family, and Compassion International. As emcee and communication coach, Michele is in her sixth year on staff at 
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