Thuringian Publisher Experiences Unexpected Boom from Success of "Heated Rivalry"

A small, independent publisher in Thuringia faces an unusual challenge: a sudden, massive surge in demand that it can barely handle. The trigger is the unexpected success of the queer hockey romance "Heated Rivalry" by Rachel Reid. After the second season of the series adaptation appeared on Prime Video, sales of the underlying book series exploded. The publisher, which holds the German-language rights to the novels, is unprepared for this boom. Media reports speak of a "surge" and "exploding demand". The logistical consequences are significant. The publisher apparently lacks the capacity to print and distribute the suddenly required quantity of books. According to information, a solution is currently being sought overseas: the books are to be reprinted in the USA to supply the German market. This detour illustrates the scale of the success that is overwhelming the small publishing structure. The case shows how powerfully a successful series adaptation can boost sales of the source material – an effect that is calculable for large publishers but can cause existential problems for small independent publishers if they are caught off guard by the wave. The "Heated Rivalry" book series belongs to the LGBTQ+ romance genre and tells the story of two professional ice hockey players. The positive reception of the series has brought broader attention to this niche topic. While such adaptations are part of the business model for large streaming platforms, the resulting success can be a double-edged sword for the rights holders at the source, especially small publishers: on one hand, higher sales mean more revenue; on the other hand, the costs for reprints and the logistical effort can shrink profit margins or even lead to shortages that leave customers frustrated. For the Thuringian publisher, the current surge is thus both a major stroke of luck and an organizational stress test.