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

"We expect an upturn in demand for educational books starting in 2005," Mathews predicts. "State funding has stabilized, and a strong adoption calendar bodes very well for the elementary and high school textbook markets."

The consumer trade book business posted an average year, lacking a lot of the star power generated by a Harry Potter title that tends to drive that niche, reveals Ed Lane, book division president for RR Donnelley in Chicago. But the Windy City printer more than held its own on the one-color end, capitalizing on the few marquee titles that bowed, such as Bill Clinton's memoirs and the 9/11 commission report.