Read it for yourself: "The printed word is alive and well."

Julie Bosman of the New York Times brings us this good news today—the publishing industry has grown over the past three years, according to a recent BookStats survey.  From her news story:

"We're seeing a resurgence, and we're seeing it across all markets — trade, academic, professional," said Tina Jordan, the vice president of the Association of American Publishers. "In each category we're seeing growth. The printed word is alive and well whether it takes a paper delivery or digital delivery." 

Let us take a moment, then, in these darkened times, to celebrate the good news and to congratulate so many of us for never giving up hope in the first place.  The important thing, I think (and this indeed fueled my recent post about historical fiction), is never to panic when it comes to purported book trends.  We are human beings.  Stories feed us.