Who would have thought that hockey would reinvigorate the sales of Quebec books? However, this is what it is about with the memoirs of Pierre Gervais, the former equipment manager of the Canadian, which is currently causing a sensation in bookstores. In less than a month, the publisher estimates that at least 45,000 copies have found takers, and now hopes to reach 70,000 or even 80,000 books sold within a few weeks.
A colossal success in a market as small as Quebec, where a book is considered a bestseller as soon as the milestone of 5000 sales is crossed.
“What’s so special about this book is not only the impressive sales figures, but the speed at which the books sold out. Even before the outing, we had already booked everything. It happens that there are orders before the release of a book that is highly anticipated. But it had never happened that there was hardly any left to put on the shelves! It’s really unheard of,” says Floriane Claveau, communications director at Renaud-Bray. The largest bookseller in Quebec has found itself out of stock several times since the book was released at the end of November.
The publisher, Ovation Media, had never published a book. This box, which produces programs for RDS and publishes sports magazines, knew that it held in its hands a bestseller which would appeal to fans of the first hour of the Canadian. But she had not expected such commercial success. In less than a month, it is already on its third reprint, not counting the English translation, which will arrive in stores just in time for Christmas.
media phenomenon
I have to say that Pierre Gervais. Inside the locker room benefited from an unprecedented media hype in the sports press, which was able to get their teeth into a few crisp details behind the scenes of the CH for a rare time. Revelations that the organization, which has the reputation of controlling its communication with an iron fist, would undoubtedly have preferred to remain silent.
From the pen of the journalist The Press Mathias Brunet, who worked for the Habs for more than 30 years, notably questions the skills of former general manager Marc Bergevin and ex-coach Dominique Ducharme. Pierre Gervais is not in lace either when he paints the portrait of former captain Max Pacioretty, whom he describes as a rude egocentric character.
What’s so special about this book is not only the impressive sales figures, it’s how quickly the books sold out.
“Yes, there was controversy and it made a spin amazing media. The success of the book is no stranger to it. But basically, everything that the media talked about doesn’t occupy such a big place in the book. There are a lot of touching moments, even funny moments, with Patrick Roy, with Saku Koivu, with Pat Burns…” emphasizes Richard Beaudry, President of Ovation Médias.
The publisher notes that the hockey community reacted very well to the book, even the Canadian, who agreed that the launch should take place in his locker room. Inspired by Pierre Gervais, some important sports personalities have since expressed their interest to Ovation Médias to publish their memoirs in turn.
A welcome success
Booksellers are therefore not finished with sports biographies. “But I don’t feel any snobbery from the literary world, or even jealousy. On the contrary. We were very well received at the Salon du livre,” assures Richard Beaudry.
And for good reason. The confessions of Pierre Gervais benefit all booksellers, large retailers and independents alike. The memoirs of the former equipment manager are also well attached to the first position in sales in independent booksellers. A success that is taken well, while 2022 is marked by a slowdown in sales of Quebec books, which was inevitable after the record increases during the pandemic.
According to data released Friday by the Société de gestion de la Banque de Titres de Langue Française (BTLF), sales of Quebec novels slipped 6% among independents in November compared to the same period last year. For the children’s book, the fall is 12%.
Conversely, biographies are a hit in stores. The numbers jumped almost 56% last month. Consequence: sales of Quebec books, all categories combined, will ultimately have fallen by only a measly 3% compared to November 2021.
Royal familythe biography of Stéphane Rousseau, weighed in the balance, but Pierre Gervais obviously had a lot to do with it.