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Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spiritual Business Guide 'Zen and Stilettos' Sells 100,000 Copies, Enters Publisher's Top-10
BALI, INDONESIA, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Elizaveta Babanova's debut book, "Zen and Stilettos," has sold approximately 100,000 copies since its release, securing a spot in her publisher's top-10 bestsellers list in its first analysts report that the book, which combines spiritual practices with practical business advice, has resonated with readers seeking to balance material success with personal development, particularly among professional women aged 30-45. "When I achieved what once felt impossible—discovering my purpose—I forged a path forward," Babanova said in a recent interview. "At its core is my mission: to help others rediscover their soul's intention, reconnect deeply with their essence, and live a multifaceted, fulfilling life." Industry experts attribute the book's commercial success to its practical approach to spirituality in an increasingly complex business environment. Nielsen BookScan data indicates a 23% growth in the personal development category over the past year, with spiritual business guides showing particular strength. "I spent years searching for meaning," said Babanova, who holds a background in finance before transitioning to writing and entrepreneurship. "It's striking how much of the external world seems designed to disconnect us from our true selves." According to published reports, Babanova's second book, "The Best Year of My Life," has also achieved bestseller status. Both titles have maintained strong sales momentum through traditional retail and e-commerce platforms. The author has leveraged her literary success to develop additional creative ventures, including the "Path of the Soul" music series, featuring music composed by Elizaveta and performed by Tchaikovsky and Gnesin Conservatories graduates. The concerts have been staged in Bali and the United Arab Emirates. This spring, "Path of the Soul" concerts will be performed in Damanhur, Italy and Moscow, Russia. "Through books, music, broadcasts, and writing, I share my inner state," Babanova explained. "Those who resonate with it form a natural, deep connection. There's no greater joy than helping others unlock their divine potential—it fulfils my own purpose." Market analysts note that Babanova's success represents a growing trend of merging traditional business principles with holistic approaches to personal development. Her ability to translate spiritual concepts into commercially viable products has positioned her as a notable figure. In addition to her writing and music, Babanova operates Mystic Travel, which organises retreats to locations she describes as sacred "places of power." "For most of my adult life I have been called to places on Earth that hold sacred codes," Babanova said of the travel venture. "They're like haute cuisine: you can follow a Michelin-starred chef's recipe, but it's never the same as tasting their dish in their kitchen. Similarly, documentaries and books can't rival the visceral transformation of being in these spaces. Their energy expands and reshapes you," said the world traveler, who has spent time in over 45 countries. The diversified business model has proven effective, with revenue streams from book sales, concert tickets, retreat packages, and merchandise contributing to overall growth. Industry analysts project continued expansion as Babanova's brand gains international recognition. According to publisher announcements, her forthcoming book, "Dance in Abundance," will be released in 2025 and will deeply explore universal codes of abundance, including ancient initiation traditions and their modern applications. An English-language edition is being prepared for international distribution. "I have deeply immersed myself in the study of the ancient practice of initiation," Babanova said regarding her upcoming work. "During one of my own, I received an insight about crafting a line of sacred artefacts. In ancient times, every significant initiation was marked by a special object—a symbol of transformation that amplified a person's desired qualities." That insight led to developing a pearl jewellery brand that combines natural elements with spiritual symbolism, adding another dimension to her business portfolio. According to social media analytics firm Socialblade, the author maintains active social media channels with over 500,000 combined followers across platforms, where she shares content related to personal growth and business development. "Creative expression became my way of sharing profound inner states," Babanova said. "Books, albums, and concerts flowed naturally from what I felt. Words alone couldn't capture the depth of those emotions, so I turned to music and performance to convey unconditional love and the joy of existence." Market research firm BookScan reports that the success of "Zen and Stilettos" has helped drive a 15% increase in the spiritual business advice subcategory over the past fiscal year. The book has been particularly successful in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg, with growing interest in international markets. Literary critics have noted the book's accessibility despite addressing complex philosophical concepts. The Russian Publishers Association recognised the work in its annual report as an example of effectively bridging practical business advice with personal development principles. "Every project starts as a personal need—to experience and express life as something magnificent and eternal. Then it finds its audience, resonating with those meant to connect with it," Babanova explained her creative process. According to development partners, the author plans to launch a mobile application called "World of Abundance" later this year. The application will feature daily practices and support resources for her tribe. Babanova's rise in the publishing industry follows a broader trend of increasing consumer interest in integrated approaches to business success and personal fulfilment. Global market research firm Ipsos reports that 67% of professionals consider spiritual well-being important to their career development. Media contact Brand: Eliza Babanova Contact: Eliza Babanova E-mail: info@ Website: in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Times
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Something's stirring in the deep, dark wood… a new Gruffalo book
The creature with terrible claws, knobbly knees and a poisonous wart at the end of his nose is once again to emerge from the deep, dark wood. Julia Donaldson has confirmed she is collaborating with Axel Scheffler on the first new Gruffalo book in more than two decades. The first two books were a publishing phenomenon and more than five million copies have been sold since the monster emerged in 1999. The books have been translated into 107 languages or dialects. Donaldson is regularly anointed the UK's bestselling author in end-of-year lists. Her lifetime sales of 48.6 million copies last year, according to Nielsen BookScan, have resulted her eclipsing JK Rowling as the bestselling author since records began. However, Rowling's £390.5 million earnings through
The Age
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Popular US baker joins RecipeTin Eats founder in plagiarism allegations
Bellamy strenuously denied the claims, in a story on her Instagram account. 'I did not plagiarise any recipes in my book which consists of 100 recipes I have created over many years,' she wrote. Bellamy has been contacted for further comment. Bake With Brooki was released in October last year and, according to Nielsen BookScan, sold 69,000 copies to March 2025. It is the author's debut cookbook, and is shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) in the Illustrated Book of the Year category. The winners will be announced in Sydney next week. ABIA has been contacted for comment. Penguin has denied the allegations, 'stating (via their lawyers) 'Our client respectfully rejects your client's allegations and confirms that the recipes in [ Bake With Brooki ] were written by Brooke Bellamy',' according to a post on Maehashi's Instagram page. Penguin has been contacted for comment. Must-see movies, interviews and all the latest from the world of film delivered to your inbox. Sign up for our Screening Room newsletter.
The Guardian
27-01-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
‘It will be dire for readers': the disappearing voices of Australia's independent publishers
The world of Australian publishing got smaller last week – and the industry fears it is bad news for lovers of literary fiction, and for those who want to write it. Fresh concerns for the health of the Australian novel have arisen after one of the world's behemoth publishers bought Text Publishing Company after more than three decades of independence. Text's publisher would not disclose how much the acquisition by Penguin Random House was worth to its owners, Michael Heyward and his wife Penny Hueston, and Maureen and Tony Wheeler. But industry insiders were in almost unanimous agreement the sale was a sign of the rocky times book publishers are facing. 'Independent publishing is in a position where it is struggling to financially continue,' Sophie Cunningham, the chair of the Australian Society of Authors, warned. 'A whole lot of small businesses face going under or having no choice but to merge.' Forced to compete in an ever-increasingly crowded entertainment and leisure market, the book sector is also facing soaring production costs due to inflation and a low supply of paper. According to Nielsen BookScan, the Australian book market was down 3% in value and 1.2% in volume in 2024 compared to the year before. Cookbooks, self-help books and novels by American authors now dominate the bestselling lists in Australia, and the only Australian author to make it into the top 10 in 2024 was Liane Moriarty. Creators of Australian literary fiction – the intellectual high end of pleasure reading – have witnessed the merging of three independents into larger companies in almost as many months. The 'big five' – Penguin Random House, Hachette, Allen & Unwin, Harper Collins and Pan Macmillan – now own more than 70% of the Australian book publishing industry. There are concerns about how this market concentration may affect the rich diversity of voices found within Australian literature. 'It's deeply concerning,' said Cunningham. 'The constriction of the industry has reached the point that it's become harder and harder for new Australian writers to get published or sell books.' Independent publishing houses such as Text have long punched above their weight in Australian literary fiction, especially when it comes to collecting prestigious literary prizes such as the Miles Franklin and the Stella. 'The landscape is changing rapidly … effectively, what this announcement means for us is one less publisher we can submit to,' said Fiona Inglis, managing director of Sydney's Curtis Brown literary agency. 'Contraction of the market is never good for writers, and in the long run it will be dire for Australian readers,' said Melbourne agent Jacinta di Mase. 'Independent publishers have always been able to take risks and successfully publish books that the multi-national companies could not – or will not – publish.' It is this risk-taking approach on the part of independent publishers, di Mase said, that has created an incredibly diverse, responsive, radical and innovative publishing ecosystem that reaches the broadest possible readership. Announcing the acquisition last Wednesday, Heyward said Text had secured a charter of independence with Penguin Random House. 'While PRH is now the owner of the business, we will continue to do what we've always done … we will run our own show,' he told the Guardian. But the literary agents the Guardian spoke to expressed some scepticism over how ironcast that charter might prove to be. 'I'm old enough to remember when McPhee Gribble was bought by Penguin,' said veteran agent Lyn Tranter, owner of Australian Literary Management. Text's media release of Wednesday bore a disturbing resemblance to the one she recalled reading in 1983. 'It will remain the same, nothing will change, we will continue to publish their cutting-edge titles,' said Tranter. 'And five years later – zip. No more McPhee Gribble.' Benython Oldfield, the Sydney-based director of Zeitgeist Agency, told the Guardian: 'For all the hope that [Text] will remain independent, they now have global overlords who will be asking daily questions about sales and sales projections.' 'That is a tough place to be after running your own show.' But one of the people who forged Text publishing into existence in 1990 is far more optimistic. Crikey publisher Eric Beecher dismissed concerns that Text would be beholden to offshore shareholders with little interest in developing and preserving diverse Australian literary voices. 'You have to be financially viable to survive, and whatever creative aspirations you have – or aspirations to be independent or to support the culture of the country in which you operate – if you can't make it financially viable, then you don't exist,' he said. 'It's an inevitable outcome but a good one, because it ensures the survival of the Text imprint.' Almost as sanguine is publishing stalwart Richard Walsh, a former director of Text media and now a commissioning editor for Allen & Unwin. 'It's good for Michael [Heyward]. It's good for Text authors, but is it good for the ecosystem? 'Clearly it narrows the field, but then who's not to know that something new might arise somewhere else? 'Publishing is like a rainforest. Trees fall down, and when they do, they open up sunlight. New trees grow in the space the old tree occupied … it's a very natural process.' Walsh's fecund rainforest analogy becomes a scorched earth scenario when speaking to Monash University academic Ben Eltham, one of the organisers of the Save Our Arts campaign, formed earlier this month to pressure policy changes to protect Australian arts and culture in the lead-up to the federal election. Two of the three takeovers the Australian publishing sector has witnessed in recent months – the other being Simon & Schuster's acquisition of Melbourne independent publisher Affirm, reflect a trend already evident in the Australian music industry, he said. With multinational takeovers and mergers over the past decades, Australia's six major record labels have condensed into three. The result? The appearance of an Australian act on the Australian top 40 charts is an exception rather than a rule. 'Publishing isn't a great money maker – like a lot of other cultural businesses, they're not that great surviving in the ruthless private sector,' Eltham said. '[Publishing] belongs under a nonprofit model with some appropriate government support. A little bit of grant funding here and there is just not going to cut it, the government needs to intervene in the cultural economy in a meaningful way.' Eltham accuses dominant booksellers such as Amazon and Big W of predatory pricing, driving the wholesale price of books down to the point where publishers and writers barely break even on most titles, necessitating the mergers and acquisitions the sector is now witnessing. A spokesperson from Amazon said its focus was 'on offering customers competitive prices, vast selection, fast delivery, and the most convenient shopping experience possible'. A Big W spokesperson said the company was making books affordable and accessible to as many Australian families as possible. 'The families that shop with us have come to trust us for having everything from new releases to classics all year round,' the statement said. 'We work closely with our publishing partners to ensure our range delivers the variety and value our customers have come to expect.' In Europe, many countries have fixed pricing laws that prevent dominant players from discounting first editions of any book published. In anti-price fixing Australia, where even cultural product is not immune to anticompetitive regulation, there are no such protections. Cunningham agrees. 'The absolute globalisation of this industry, the squeezing of all costs out of it, it becomes almost impossible for people to make money – writers, publishers, editors. These companies put downward pressure on the entire market. 'I don't think this is something the Australian government is interested in fixing. I suppose you would call it protectionism which has become a dirty word here. But the implications are that we will lose Australian culture in the process.'
