Representing just 6% of the total trade book market, the science fiction/fantasy segment will grow 3.4% in 2011, reaching $578.6 million, despite the overall market’s expected 5.2% decline. According to a report published by media and publishing forecast firm Simba Information, the science fiction and fantasy categories experienced double-digit increases in title output, along with stronger ratings on the consolidated bestseller list in 2010.

According to the report, the science fiction/fantasy segment is gaining market share, adding half a percent in 2011 compared to 2010, as it more than triples its 1% growth rate from the past two years.

“The sci-fi/fantasy segment has been a stable growth segment for the past few years,” notes Michael Norris, Simba Information’s senior trade analyst.

Though few experts predict the demise of the big publishing houses, their future role in providing the majority of content for today’s reading public is now hotly debated by industry insiders. In the same way that cable TV has eaten into the monopoly once held by the big networks, smaller publishers aim to take a bigger piece of the publishing pie.

And the main reason why is the change in technology and the emergence and extraordinary rise of the digital-publishing phenomenon.

Barnes and Noble, Inc. reported major growth for its news PubIt! (www.PubIt.com), an easy-to-use digital publishing platform for independent publishers and authors. Since launching four months ago, more than 11,000 independent publishers and authors have joined the PubIt! community of booksellers, adding more than 65,000 new works to the NOOK Bookstore.

Bloomington, IN, February 04, 2010 –(PR.com)– Trafford, the pioneer in on-demand self publishing, has announced its top ten best-selling books for December 2009, according to point-of-sale data from major U.S. booksellers.

1. Principles of Marketing Engineering, by Gary L. Lilien, Arving Rangaswamy, and Arnaud de Bruyn; (Marketing).
2. Yoga Posture Adjustments and Assisting, by Stephanie Pappas; (Health).
3. Better than Steroids, by Warren Willey; (Health).
4. Workbook of Australian Idiom—Aussie Slang, by Kerrin & Carol Rowe; (Reference).
5. My Husband’s Affair Became the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me, by Anne Bercht; (Family).
6. Text Messaging Survival Guide, by Evie Shoeman; (Reference).
7. Engaging and Empowering Aboriginal Youth, by Dr.

“What if someone could help you launch your new book into the exclusive category of bestseller? That’s every author’s dream,” states Wake Up . . . Live The Life You Love’s Steven E, a co-founder of the author promotion site, WakeUpCelebrityAuthor.com. “In a world where Oprah’s book club can turn a writer into an overnight success, people are clamoring for ways to get their voices heard and their talent noticed,” Steven E said in today’s interview.