Self-Publishing of Books Sees Triple-Digit Growth in Just Five Years

Bowker’s research into self-publishing was prompted by an earlier study that showed 2011’s 148,424 self-published print books represented about 43 percent of that year’s total traditional print output and contributed to the first significant expansion in print production since 2007. While print accounts for 63 percent of self-published books, eBooks are gaining fast—production in 2011 totaled 87,201 titles, up 129 percent over 2006. Print titles grew 33 percent in the same period.