Have you ever imagined creating a novel, starting a comic series, or running a digital magazine?
If you’re a young creative talent in Sarawak, this is your moment—the publishing world is eager for fresh voices like yours.
Sarawak has set its sights on publishing 2,800 books annually, but our current contribution is less than 5% of Malaysia’s total, with approximately 350 titles as of 2022.
This gap represents untold stories, but it also highlights a vast potential.
If you’re brimming with ideas or artistry, this could be your moment to explore a career in publishing.
What is the Publishing Industry?
Publishing goes beyond simply printing books.
Publishing means sharing your ideas with a wider audience, whether through books, comics, blogs, magazines, digital stories, podcasts, or even TikTok videos.
The industry includes:
- Writers (fiction, journalism, scriptwriting etc)
- Editor & Proof-readers
- Illustrators & Comic Artists
- Graphic Designers
- Translators
- Self-publishers & Indie creators
- Marketers & Social Media Promoters
Publishers transform creative content into products ready to be shared, sold, or stored.
Understanding the Global Publishing Landscape
To put Sarawak’s position in perspective, let’s first consider the broader landscape:
Globally, the publishing industry is valued at approximately USD 151 billion as of 2025, and is projected to grow to USD 192.1 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2%.
This surpasses the gaming or streaming industries in certain nations.
Printed books remain dominant, accounting for more than USD 64.35 billion, whereas e-books are expected to grow to USD 15.29 billion by 2027.
Additionally, audiobooks continue to grow in popularity, adding to the variety of reading formats available.
China releases over 440,000 books each year, the US publishes about 300,000, and Europe together produces more than 585,000 titles annually.
In contrast, Malaysia publishes around 15,000 new titles annually.
Although Sarawak boasts a rich tapestry of cultures and stories, its contribution remains minimal.
ASEAN Publishing Leaders
Indonesia’s book market is among the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia, projected to be worth approximately USD 925 million by 2025.
Tools like Gramedia Digital and government initiatives are making publishing more accessible to young creators.
In Thailand, digital publishing has taken off, and ReadAWrite stands out, earning over USD 47 million annually.
It provides a creative outlet for young writers to share fiction and web novels.
Singapore may be small, but its publishing scene thrives, thanks to support from arts councils and grant funding.
Its multilingual culture enables young creators to work in English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil.
Meanwhile, in Sarawak, the local publishing scene is still growing due to a limited number of publishers, scarce resources, and lower reading habits.
But rather than discouraging us, this is a call to begin.
Gaps create opportunities.
So, What’s Holding Us Back?
A few significant challenges exist.
Most publishers in Sarawak operate primarily in urban centres like Kuching, and many young people are unsure how to connect with them.
Furthermore, schools often prioritize traditional academics over creative fields, leaving careers in writing, editing, or design underexplored.
Opportunities in publishing are scarce, with few youth-focused writing competitions, workshops, or grants available.
While many young people express their creativity online, there’s a lack of support to channel that energy into lasting projects such as books, magazines, or self-publishing initiatives.
Lastly, reading habits in the region are still developing.
Books remain costly, and library access varies widely across districts.
What Can You Do Now:
Start small but keep your ambitions big.
Write a meaningful blog post, a short story, or even a thoughtful social media caption.
Read works by Sarawakian authors and check out platforms like Wattpad or Webtoon.
Reach out to teachers, friends, or your local library to spark a writing club or zine project.
Publishing is for anyone with a story to tell, and if you’re here, that might just be you.
References:
- Calls for Sarawak to Publish 2,800 Books Annually
- Premier: Sarawak Only Published 352 Titles This Year, Well Behind Standards of Developed Countries
- Book Publishers Market Outlook from 2025 to 2035
- A Guide to the Global Book Market
- Book Sales Statistics
- Books – Malaysia | Statistica Market Forecast
- Indonesia Books Market (2025-2031) Outlook
- eBook – Indonesia | Statistica Market Forecast
- The Global Publishing Market
- Thailand Book Printing Market (2024-2030)
