In the ever-evolving landscape of the publishing industry, the Chicken Soup for the Soul franchise has long been a beacon of inspiration and comfort, captivating readers with its heartwarming tales. However, as the brand's diversification efforts led to the creation of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, a video-on-demand company, a recent bankruptcy filing by the latter has raised questions about the fate of the beloved publishing group.
Contrary to the concerns that may have arisen, the Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing group, led by the erudite Amy Newmark, editor-in-chief and publisher, remains unscathed by the turmoil surrounding its namesake. Newmark, a prolific author in her own right, has assured that "It is business as usual" for the publishing arm, which operates as a separate entity under the Chicken Soup for the Soul LLC.
The Chicken Soup for the Soul franchise, originally built upon the success of the books, was acquired by Bill Rouhana Jr. and Bob Jacobs in 2008, who had ambitious plans to expand the brand into various other businesses beyond the printed word. This ambition led to the creation of CSSE in 2015, a company that now owns a number of advertising-supported video-on-demand companies, including the eponymous brand, Crackle, and the ill-fated Redbox.
While CSSE navigates the complexities of the bankruptcy process, Newmark and her team at CSSP are forging ahead with their publishing plans, finishing up the publisher's Christmas titles and preparing the 2025 list. The Chicken Soup for the Soul book formula, which has remained largely unchanged since its introduction in 1993, continues to captivate readers with its 101 stories from individual contributors around a central theme, often focusing on the perennial favorites of cats, dogs, and miracles.
"We've always been separate companies," Newmark stressed, underscoring the distinct identities and operations of the two entities that share the Chicken Soup for the Soul name. This separation has allowed the publishing group to weather the storm, as it continues to adapt and evolve its offerings, including a foray into the adult coloring book segment with the upcoming release of "The Magic of Christmas Coloring Book."
Despite the scaling back of its annual list from the heady days of the late 1990s and early 2000s, CSSP now boasts a backlist of over 250 titles, which continue to sell well on the e-commerce juggernaut, Amazon. The company's distribution through Simon & Schuster to the general trade also remains uninterrupted, ensuring the continued availability of the Chicken Soup for the Soul titles to readers worldwide.
As the publishing industry navigates the ever-changing tides of technological disruption and shifting consumer preferences, the Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing group stands as a testament to the enduring power of the written word. Unruffled by the turbulence surrounding its namesake, the publishing arm remains a beacon of hope, inspiring readers with its efflorescent effervescence and unwavering commitment to the timeless art of storytelling.
