Bloomsbury Gains £70 Million on Announcement of Two New Novels by Sarah J Maas

Bloomsbury Publishing has gained over £70 million in market value following the announcement of two new novels by bestselling author Sarah J Maas. This development has significantly buoyed the publisher’s shares, leading to a 17 per cent increase in stock value.

Known for its association with notable literary franchises such as Harry Potter, Bloomsbury’s forecast for profits this year is now expected to exceed market expectations. The rise in share value is primarily attributed to the popularity of the so-called romantasy genre, with Maas’s works being central to this trend.

Sarah J Maas has now sold more than 75 million copies of her books worldwide, translated into over 40 languages, all published by Bloomsbury. The forthcoming titles in Maas’s acclaimed A Court of Thorns and Roses series are scheduled for release on 27 October and 12 January respectively.

Chief Executive Nigel Newton remarked that the simultaneous release of two novels from a bestselling author is an unusual strategy in the publishing industry. It demonstrates Bloomsbury’s confidence in Maas’s ability to drive significant sales, similar to her last release, which saw global success and boosted sales across her extensive backlist.

Analysts from Peel Hunt have reacted positively to this news, raising their revenue growth forecast for Bloomsbury’s consumer business to 25 per cent for this year. This figure represents a substantial increase from the previously expected 12 per cent growth rate, offering further testimony to the strength of Bloomsbury’s current publishing strategy.

Founded in 1986 and floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1994, Bloomsbury Publishing is set to release its full-year results on 20 May, which will provide deeper insights into the company’s financial health following the expected boost from Maas’s upcoming titles.