Science Fiction Book Sales Statistics [2023]

• Revenue in the United States: Science fiction books, combined with fantasy, generated $590.2 million in revenue.
• Growth in Comic Books: In 2021, science fiction sales within comic books grew by 8.3% compared to 2020.
• Sales in the United Kingdom: Science fiction sales in the UK were 23% higher in 2021 compared to 2020.
• Sales in Australia: Science fiction books sold 9% more copies in Australia in 2021 than in 2020.
• Sales in the First Half of 2018: The science fiction genre sold 2,679,000 copies in the first half of 2018, an 18% increase from 2017. “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline sold 430,000 copies alone during this period.
• Juvenile Category: In the juvenile category, the combined science fiction and fantasy genre sold over 20.3 million copies in the first half of 2018.
• Amazon’s Competitive Categories: Science fiction, along with fantasy, ranks as the 8th most competitive category on Amazon.
• Audiobook Revenue: Science fiction combined with fantasy holds the largest share of sales among all audiobook categories, generating over $1.6 billion in revenue in 2021.

What are the best-selling science fiction books of all time?

Science fiction titles, renowned for their exploration of new concepts, complex issues, and challenge to conventional thinking, are among the best-selling audiobooks of all time.

(*Other titles may be excluded due to sales reporting differences.)

Who are the best-selling science fiction and fantasy authors of all time?

How much do science fiction authors make?

• Income for Most Authors: Up to 75% of science fiction authors earn under $2,000 per year from publishing.
• Earnings Threshold: 90% of science fiction authors make under $15,000 annually from their writing.
• Minimum Wage: Approximately 95% of science fiction authors earn around minimum wage or less per year.
• Full-time Earnings: Only 5% of science fiction authors can make a full-time living from their writing.

FAQ’s

What was the total revenue generated by science fiction and fantasy books in the United States in 2023?

• Science fiction and fantasy books generated $590.2 million in revenue in the U.S.

How did science fiction comic book sales perform in 2023 compared to the previous year?

• Science fiction comic book sales grew by 8.3% in 2023 compared to 2022.

What was the growth rate of science fiction book sales in the United Kingdom in 2023?

• Science fiction book sales in the UK were 23% higher in 2023 compared to 2022.

How did science fiction book sales in Australia change in 2023?

• Science fiction books sold 9% more copies in Australia in 2023 than in 2022.

How many science fiction books were sold in the first half of 2018?

• During the first half of 2018, the science fiction genre sold 2,679,000 copies.

What was the sales performance of “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline in the first half of 2018?

• “Ready Player One” sold 430,000 copies in the first half of 2018.

How many copies did the science fiction and fantasy genre sell in the juvenile category during the first half of 2018?

• The science fiction and fantasy genre sold over 20.3 million copies in the juvenile category during the first half of 2018.

Where does the science fiction genre rank on Amazon’s most competitive categories list?

• Science fiction ranks as the 8th most competitive category on Amazon.

What was the revenue generated by science fiction audiobooks in 2021?

• Science fiction audiobooks, combined with fantasy, generated over $1.6 billion in revenue in 2021.

What percentage of science fiction authors earn under $2,000 per year from publishing?

• Up to 75% of science fiction authors earn under $2,000 per year from publishing.

What is the percentage of science fiction authors who earn under $15,000 annually?

• 90% of science fiction authors earn under $15,000 per year from publishing.

What portion of science fiction authors earn around minimum wage annually?

• Approximately 95% of science fiction authors earn around minimum wage or less per year.

What percentage of science fiction authors can make a full-time living from their writing?

• Only 5% of science fiction authors can make a full-time living from writing.

How does the science fiction genre’s sales compare to other audiobook categories?

• Science fiction, combined with fantasy, holds the largest share of sales among all audiobookcategories.

What was the increase in science fiction book sales in 2023 in the UK compared to the previous year?

• Science fiction book sales in the UK increased by 23% in 2023 compared to 2022.

How did science fiction book sales in Australia perform in 2023 relative to 2022?

• Science fiction book sales in Australia were up by 9% in 2023 compared to 2022.

What was the percentage increase in science fiction book sales in the comic book segment in 2023?

• Science fiction comic book sales grew by 8.3% in 2023.

How does the revenue from science fiction audiobooks in 2021 compare to other audiobook genres?

• Science fiction audiobooks, combined with fantasy, generated the largest revenue share among all audiobook categories in 2021.

What was the average number of copies sold for science fiction books in the first half of 2018?

• The average number of copies sold for science fiction books in the first half of 2018 was 2,679,000.

Which book had a significant impact on science fiction book sales in the first half of 2018?

• “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline significantly impacted sales, selling 430,000 copies in the first half of 2018.