Israeli Bookstore Chain Demands Transparency on Author-Funded Books Amid Industry Crisis
Avi Shomer, CEO of Israeli bookstore chain Tzomet Sfarim, has sparked controversy by announcing a new policy requiring publishers to disclose whether books are author-funded before they can be displayed in stores. Starting next quarter, all books must receive approval from purchasing managers who will demand transparency about the financing behind each title. This move highlights a growing problem in Israel’s publishing industry, where a majority of original prose books in recent years have been at least partially financed by their authors due to the decline of traditional publisher advances.
Author-funded books, once common mainly in poetry and non-fiction, have become widespread in prose, with some publishers charging authors tens of thousands of shekels for promotion. According to the National Library, around 7,000 new Hebrew titles are published annually, flooding the market with mediocre literature and making it difficult for readers to discern quality. Shomer criticized the trend for bypassing professional editing and selection processes, which he says undermines the quality of books available and complicates shelf management.
Industry figures have mixed reactions. Dov Eichenwald, CEO of Yedioth Sfarim, supports the call for selective shelving but stresses that professional editorial responsibility, not funding source, should determine a book’s merit. Rokefet Zohar, CEO of Hakibbutz Hameuchad, said her publishing house is reducing new titles due to shrinking readership and financial pressures. Orna Landau of Hatachana and Uriel Kon of Tsha Neshamot emphasized that transparency is positive but warned that filtering could favor large publishers and marginalize smaller ones.
The debate reflects broader challenges facing Israeli literature, including cultural isolation and declining book sales. While Shomer’s policy aims to restore balance and quality control in bookstores, critics worry it may reinforce existing market inequalities. The industry continues to grapple with how to maintain literary standards amid economic constraints and changing consumer habits.
