Children’s Author and Screenwriter Michelle Worthington says that while the demand for books has increased dramatically over the past 18 months, the impacts of COVID are leaving many bookstores without stock for Christmas. “Not only have Aussie authors suffered huge financial losses due to the cancellation of events, they also now face disruption in shipping, increased costs throughout the supply chain, shortages in book manufacturing supplies, labour shortages, and transportation challenges,” she said. “Many authors rely on a large increase in sales over the Christmas period, but this year won’t be a merry one with few or no books available, leaving authors no choice but to find alternative sources of income outside of writing.”