Brexit has been a bit of a disaster for the publishing industry. Last year, industry leaders in the book and publishing space called on the new Labour government to turn the page on Brexit chaos.
Charlie Redmayne, c.e.o. of HarperCollins, and other leading figures in the industry, have taken the opportunity of the general election result to reiterate some of the key issues facing book publishing, in the hope that the new Labour government would provide greater support.
Meanwhile, the Independent Publishers Guild (IPG) has called on the new administration led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to “turn a page on several chaotic years”, with publishers saying they want Labour to “reclaim the ground” lost by Brexit.
Publisher bodies call on new Labour government to ‘turn the page’ after 14 years of ‘chaos’, July 2024, Matilda Battersby, The Bookseller
Small publishers have been struggling with the UK-EU divide negatively impacting book sales. Larger publishers also report a significant drag factor here. For publishing, Brexit it seems, may have been a net negative.
This is why I invited a range of experts and business persons to give their views on the impact of Brexit on the publishing industry.
Brexit Exacerbates Indie Publishing Problems
The industrial shock of Brexit exacerbated problems within the already-tight economies of indie publishing. The impact of the UK’s departure from the EU has been multi-stranded: with rising costs of production, obstacles to distribution, the increase of red-tape, and loss of EU funding streams, particularly damaging to smaller organizations.
Within an already risk-averse industry, where profit margins are generally small, the outlook for adventurous and diverse publishing in the UK, outside the cultural dominance of “Big Five” publishers, and their imprints, is generally bleak.
A lesser commented factor is the barrier to European talent; suggesting the likelihood of an increasingly isolated national literature that, at its adventurous best, has looked firmly to the continent for the cross-pollination of new modes and means of storytelling.
Luke Shipman, Ghostwriter and Founder, The London Ghostwriting Company
Brexit Disrupts UK Publishing Sector
Brexit has caused noticeable disruptions in the UK publishing sector, particularly in supply chains and costs. New customs checks and import/export rules for goods like books and paper have led to delays and increased expenses. Smaller publishers have felt this strain most acutely, as higher shipping fees and storage costs eat into already slim margins.
International collaboration has also faced hurdles. Licensing deals and copyright agreements with EU partners now involve more red tape. This limits the flow of creative content and impacts the diversity of works reaching the market. The result? A slower, costlier process that challenges publishers’ flexibility. Brexit has pushed the industry to rethink logistics, but the added complexity doesn’t come without setbacks.
Fahad Khan, Digital Marketing Manager, Ubuy Nigeria
Brexit Adds Complexity to Publishing Operations
Since the UK left the EU, I’ve noticed some significant shifts in how publishers are handling their operations, especially with content distribution and ad revenue. One major change is the rise in complexity when targeting European audiences. Before Brexit, publishers could easily reach readers across the EU with a unified approach. Now, they need to adapt for different regulations and tax policies, which adds extra work. They’ve had to focus on market research to tailor content more specifically, often splitting their efforts for the UK and the EU.
Publishers have also had to rethink their advertising strategies. Without the EU’s common standards, reaching a broad European market now means navigating a variety of local rules and guidelines. It’s more important than ever for publishers to stay updated on changes in data protection laws and advertising policies in each country. If you’re in publishing, be ready for increased complexity. Focus on regional content and make sure your ads comply with local regulations to avoid penalties.
Natalia Lavrenenko, UGC manager/Marketing manager, Rathly
Brexit Complicates Logistics for UK Publishers
Personally, I’ve observed that Brexit has complicated logistics for U.K. publishers exporting to the EU. A small press client specializing in art books shared how new customs regulations delayed shipments and increased costs, disrupting their distribution plans. At the same time, I believe it’s pushed many publishers to rethink their strategies, focusing on digital content and fostering local partnerships to adapt to these challenges.
Modestas Mankus, Founder, Talks Grow
Over to you
I’d love to hear from writers, publishers, self-publishers, agents, authors, promoters, and anyone else in the industry on how Brexit has impacted you and the part of the publishing industry you are connected to.
I’d also love to hear from readers on how you feel about Brexit.
Comment, reply, or mention – I look forward to reading what you have to say.