[단독] ‘AI 직격타’ 논픽션 불황에…교양 전문 출판사, 문학서 활로 모색

In the face of a challenging publishing industry, major domestic publishers are rapidly expanding into the literary market. This is primarily due to the decline of the non-fiction market, with literary works now seeing greater sales. In the second half of 2024, literary novels in particular have seen a surge in popularity, going from just one in the "Best Sellers 10" to nine in the second half of the year.

This shift is evident in the growing number of publishers launching literary book projects, such as the expansion of literary author and editing teams, and the introduction of literary series featuring emerging writers. The popularity of foreign literature, which enjoys more international exposure than domestic literary works, also plays a role in this trend.

Domestic publishers have been publishing anthologies, children's books, and English textbooks, among other genres, to diversify their portfolios. Some publishers have even begun translating foreign literary classics into Korean. The change in publishing strategy has been driven by the decline of "knowledge non-fiction," which is struggling to compete with the growing demand for literary works.

The main reason for this decline is the impact of AI technology on knowledge information provision. Publishers are looking for alternatives to capture the attention of readers who are increasingly turning to literature. Domestic literary publishers have been successful in publishing anthologies, children's books, and English textbooks, and they are now venturing into foreign literature, including classics and contemporary works.

Literary publishers are also targeting younger readers by publishing works by emerging authors. Despite the challenges, literary publishing remains an important part of the industry, as publishers strive to provide readers with new voices and perspectives.