Books Survive Credit Crunch

More books are selling than ever before, according to a senior industry figure.

That's good news for all us aspiring novelists who are currently trying to get a book deal.

And for readers who can still pick up a good read for a couple of quid.

"The book trade is relatively safe. It is well established and stable. There are more books sold than ever before, the market is growing and more people are reading. Its profits and margins are also significantly robust. I think the trade should be confident and optimistic."

Luke Johnson, Chairman of Borders UK, at the Booksellers' Association conference, in Publishing News.