How Do Publishers Decide What Books to Bet On?
Every book is a gamble, and publishers ask the same two questions any capitalist or gambler asks: how much should we stake, and how much might we profit?
Category Archives: Publishing Industry
A New Book Publishing News Feed for Authors—Continuously Updated
A book publishing–focused newsfeed gathers headlines from across the industry; it is free to all and continuously updated and maintained by Jane Friedman.
Audiobook Publishing and Distribution: Getting Started Guide for Authors
Everything authors need to know about the audiobook market, including retailers, distributors, and payments.
How to Choose an Agent Amid Competing Offers
No two publishing paths are the same. When choosing an agent, find someone you can stand strong with, whether lashed to the mast or gliding in calm waters.
Current Trends in Traditional Book Publishing: Fiction, Nonfiction and YA
The rise of Millennial nostalgia and graphic novels, the decline of political tell-alls and publisher-driven marketing: all of this and more in 2019 trends.
The People in Publishing I Learn From
The funny thing about being any good as a publishing commentator: it requires talking to many others, learning varied perspectives, and writing about ideas you didn’t come up with.
The Key Book Publishing Paths: 2019-2020
Should you self-publish or traditionally publish? This infographic will help you determine the best choice for you and your project.
When Teen YA Authors Hire Ghostwriters
A ghostwriter discusses the novels she’s written for teens from wealthy families who pay up to six figures to bring their kids’ dreams to life.
Identifying the Best Self-Published Books by State: The Indie Author Project
The Indie Author Project identifies the best self-published fiction by state; thirteen states participate so far. This year’s national winner is Ran Walker.
The Two Basic Rules of Editing (and the Rookie Mistake)
Big-picture editing is a series of judgment calls. But how should those judgment calls be conveyed to the writer? Two rules stand the test of time: (1) Praise. (2) Ask questions.
Getting a Memoir Published in a Difficult Market: Q&A with Margaret McMullan
Even a well-published and successful author can have a difficult time finding a home for a memoir. Margaret McMullan discusses her path to publication.
How to Define and Describe Your Readership: A Confusing Issue for Nonfiction Book Proposals
If you’re pitching a nonfiction book, at some point, an editor or agent will expect you to describe the readership that your book is intended for.
Switching Literary Agents: Two Agents Offer Advice
If you’re a writer, how do you know if it’s worth the risk of leaving your current agent? Does past representation impede your ability to find a new agent?
For Indie Publishers: When and Why to Work with a Trade Book Distributor
A trade distributor is a partner company who takes over the tasks and responsibilities of selling your books to trade accounts like bookstores and wholesalers.
Resolving My Cheater Shame: Listening to Books Instead of Reading Them
I’ve been air-quoting “reading” since my first legitimate introduction to audiobooks this past winter.
The First Half of 2018: Traditional Publishers Stand Strong with Nonfiction and Backlist
Broadly, traditional print book sales continue to grow at about 2 to 3 percent per year, but growth is driven by nonfiction, backlist titles, and children’s/YA. Fiction sales have been flat for several years now, with frontlist fiction down 5 percent due to a lack of big titles.
Author Income Surveys Are Misleading and Flawed—And Focus on the Wrong Message for Writers
I don’t trust author-income survey results and I question their usefulness in improving the fortunes of writers. Too often it feels like propaganda from writers’ organizations, with the outcome boring and predictable.
How to Evaluate Small Publishers—Plus Digital-Only Presses and Hybrids
As the publishing industry has transformed in the digital age, small press activity has proliferated. Here’s how authors can evaluate their offerings.
Starting Later & Starting Over: Launching a Writing Career When You’re No Longer “Young”
Seven-figure deals seem to be given to more 20-something debut writers than debut writers in any other age group, yet Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Proulx started writing at 58—and Frank McCourt began writing in his 60s. Were these writers more talented than younger writers trying to break in at the same time? Or has the industry started gravitating more toward younger writers in recent years? Two literary agents, Sarah Davies and Dr. Uwe Stender, offer their thoughts on the publishing industry’s attitude toward age.
A Brief History of the Fantasy Genre
While fairy tales are ancient, dating back to the Bronze age, fantasy turns out to be a revival movement, rising from the grave of the recent dead. Mention of the word fantasy is minimal through through the twentieth century, with some peaks here and there depending on your source. Around 1945, fantasy took flight, soaring up and up, well into the twenty-first century. Why the change? What summoned the word fantasy back to life in 1945?
Is Writing Being Devalued by Giveaways and Cheap Ebooks?
There’s growing unrest surrounding the proliferation of free and cheap books, particularly ebooks. The reasons for sharp discounts and giveaways are legion (and some reasons are better than others), but regardless of the reason, I see greater shaming of those who are seen to “devalue” literature in our culture.
What Does 2018 Hold for Writers?
A round-up of publishing industry trend articles, helping freelancers and authors anticipate changes coming in 2018.
A Look Back at 2017 Publishing Headlines: 5 Issues Raised for Authors
Issues touched on: Barnes & Noble woes, the maturity of the self-publishing market, Wattpad profits, traditional publishing’s problem launching blockbusters, and the growth of the Amazon ebook sales/borrows
Ethics & the Literary Agent: What Rights Do Authors Have?
What should writers do if they feel that an agent isn’t honoring their obligations, contractual or otherwise? What’s the best way to speak up?
How and Why to Edit an Anthology: Addressing the Naysayers
Anthology advances are small, contributors have little stake in the sales of the book, and branding a collective group is hard. But anthologies are still valuable and worth the effort. Here’s why.
How to Self-Publish in France
More books are translated in France than in any other country: 1 out of every 6 books has been translated from a foreign language, many from English.
3 Reasons Why You Might Not Want a Hybrid Publisher
I would never tell someone to publish with a hybrid publisher—every writer’s goals are unique, plus hybrid publishing puts the financial risk on the author.
What Is an Editor’s Role in a Changing Publishing Industry?
I’m a contributor to a new essay collection, WHAT EDITORS DO, edited by Peter Ginna and published by University of Chicago Press.
My Interview with Leanpub: How I Learned to Edit and My Thoughts on the Author Aspirant
I’m the featured guest on the new Backmatter podcast from Leanpub, which is focused specifically on the publishing industry and its latest trends.
Publishing Industry Status Report: Important Stories for Authors in 2017
Print sales for traditional publishers are increasing this year—up by 2.6% compared to the first half of 2016. Ebook sales are continuing their decline.
A Serial Publishing Platform That Earns Money for Indie Creators
Tapas, a new digital publishing platform, has led to meaningful earnings and readership for independent artists and writers in less than two months.
The Challenge Faced by High-Quality Literary Journals
Today, our problem is not finding more great things to read. It’s finding time to read the great many wonderful things that are published.
How Do Literary Agents Approach Diversity?
How do agents—generally considered the gatekeepers to publishing companies—approach the issue of diversity in the publishing industry?
Don’t Immediately Trust Mainstream Sites on Publishing Stories
Here are the latest stories that are causing confusion (and sometimes moral panic) where it’s not deserved.
The Myth About Print Coming Back (Updated)
Discussions about the “resurgence” of print and the comeback of independent bookstores amounts to wishful thinking, not an understanding of the industry.
9 Statistics Writers Should Know About Amazon
Did you know Amazon’s print book sales grew by 15% in 2016—and the gain was primarily driven by Amazon’s own discounting on print?
How to Get Your Book Distributed: What Self-Published Authors Need to Know
The most important thing any author needs to know about book distribution is that more than half of all book sales (regardless of format) take place online.
Authors: Think Twice Before Paying to Exhibit at Book Expo (BEA)
BEA is a quality industry event, and it is a legitimate marketing and promotion opportunity. But for the majority of indie authors, it does not make sense to invest what are likely your limited resources in BEA.
What the Industry Is Talking About: Best Takeaways for Authors From Digital Book World
My industry newsletter for authors, The Hot Sheet, released a special (and free) issue last week with original reporting from Digital Book World.
How Kindle Press Made My Novel a Bestseller
In 2015, Kindle Press published about 90 novels. By the end of 2016, it had published a total of 218 books—all chosen through the Kindle Scout program.
Q&A with Pronoun: An Increasingly Competitive Ebook Distributor
Pronoun works with independent authors to distribute their ebooks to the five major online retailers: Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Google Play. Pronoun charges authors nothing upfront, and doesn’t take a cut of ebook sales either.
Should You Submit Your Work to Agents or Editors?
Is it better to look for a literary agent first, or to approach editors and publishers? Much depends on the commercial potential of your work.
The Best Literary Fiction Blogs & Websites
A list of the best blogs and websites focused on literary fiction and culture
Looking Back at 2016: Important Publishing Developments Authors Should Know
A round-up of important 2016 publishing news and trends that will affect authors in the years to come.
Choosing Between Traditional and Indie Publishing
This week, I was a guest on the Create If Writing podcast, discussing traditional and independent publishing.
The Publishing Industry in 2016: A Status Update
Traditional publishers are experiencing a slump, and the decline of Barnes & Noble isn’t helping. A look at news and trends in book publishing in 2016.
6 Ways to Vet Freelance Editors
Author and freelance editor Maya Rock offers six pointers for vetting a freelance editor.
3 Myths About the MFA in Creative Writing
Most writers want an MFA for one of three reasons: They want to teach writing, they want to get published, or they want to make room in their life for writing. It turns out these reasons for doing an MFA are actually based on myths.
Should You Self-Publish or Traditionally Publish?
Should you self-publish? There is no single right answer to this question—it’s always situational. It depends on you, your book, and your career goals. This post outlines the key questions you should ask.
What’s Your Genre? A High-Level Overview for Writers
Learn how to determine what genre you’re writing in and why it matters—plus the difference between commercial and literary.