2005 Book Market Outlook -- El-hi Fuels Some Optimism

Courier treats religious as a market separate from specialty, and Tobin characterizes its growth as steady. While the bible market has been flat, there has been an uptick in post-9/11 titles that deal with spirituality and counseling, especially in light of the ongoing strife in the Middle East.

"Many people are feeling the pressure related to this war, which drives them to seek counsel and words of comfort," Tobin states. "In response, publishers have responded by publishing a lot of support-based titles."