The Register is reporting that Wrox Press is set to close, along with the other properties of Peer Information (like Glasshaus). I’ve never owned a book put out by Wrox, but I think they’re generally well-regarded. Ultimately, though, it doesn’t matter. The computer book industry must be in bad shape all around. I’m sure O’Reilly is still doing alright because they run their business conservatively.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that now that learning a bunch of computer skills isn’t a guarantee of an above average income and employment for life, people are no longer rushing out to the local bookseller to stock up on books from the computer section. Back in the day, royalties provided me with pretty decent supplemental income. That hasn’t been the case for the past two years at least. If Wrox does bite the dust, my condolences go out to all those authors who won’t be seeing any royalty checks at all from here on out.