The internet is complicating efforts by publishers to boost publication of garden titles, according to the 2008 garden books outlook from Publishers Weekly. PW says there's been an explosion of interest in gardening recently, but almost all the growth has been among young people under 35 years old, and they're mainly interested in "green" issues and natural landscapes.
Storey Publishing President Pam Art told PW that "Perhaps not since the 1970s and the homesteading era has the interest been so great in gardening using ecologically sound methods, including having organic lawns and flower and vegetable gardens." Among Storey titles this year in tune with that theme are The Complete Compost Gardening Guide
Cool Springs Press publisher Roger Waynick agreed, saying young people are interested in gardening because it's a way of "nurturing the planet back to health." At Rodale Lifestyle Books, senior editor Karen Bolesta said there is much enthusiasm for a "green lifestyle" that goes "hand-in-hand with organic gardening."
While most editors told PW that publishers need to turn to young people to start a market again in gardening books, some suggested publishing books with simple texts and lots of pictures while others said the focus should be on experienced authors and lots of visual material to compete with the internet. Timber Press publisher Neil Maillet said he believes only a book can provide certain kinds of information. "The industry is adapting to provide a better reading experience for the generation coming up," he said. "We still put our focus on finding the credible author who can give the reader reassurance that their money is well spent by buying a book rather than just Googling for free."
Some upcoming 2008 titles:
Bantam:
Gardening at the Dragon's Gate: At Work in the Wild and Cultivated World
Firefly:
The English Roses: Classic Favorites and New Selections
Hamlyn (dist. by Sterling):
Small Garden Design Bible by Tim Newbury (April)
Frances Lincoln (dist. by Antique Collectors Club
The Gardens of Russell Page by Marina Schinz and Gabrielle van Zuylen (May)
Stewart, Tabori & Chang:
City Gardens: Creative Ideas for Small Spaces by Pierre Nessmann (April)
Sunset:
Big Book of Garden Designs by Marianne Lipanovich and Tom Wilhite (Feb)
Timber Press:
400 Trees and Shrubs for Small Spaces by Diana Miller (June)
Wiley:
Design Your Garden: 10 Simple Steps to Transform Your Garden by Caroline Tilston (May)
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