Washington Post Cuts Deep, Eliminates Book Coverage Amid Major Staff Reductions

The Washington Post confirmed on Wednesday that it is laying off roughly one-third of its workforce, a sweeping move that will include the closure of its books department. Staff members were informed during a Zoom meeting led by executive editor Matt Murray, who described the decision as a response to harsh financial pressures and “difficult and even disappointing realities.”

The cuts mark the end of a notable chapter for the paper’s literary coverage. The Post revived its standalone Book World section in 2022 under editor John Williams, a move that was widely welcomed by readers and the publishing community. In a brief message shared Wednesday morning, Williams acknowledged the moment, thanking readers and supporters of the Post’s book journalism and noting he would share more in the future.

At the time of the announcement, the books team included at least nine staff members, spanning editors, critics, columnists, and support roles. Among them were longtime voices and respected critics whose work helped shape national conversations around literature, culture, and ideas.

The shuttering of the department underscores the broader challenges facing legacy news organizations as they grapple with declining revenue and shifting business models. For readers and writers alike, the loss is more than internal restructuring—it represents another contraction of dedicated space for serious book criticism and literary reporting in mainstream media.