Publishing Industry Archives

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 Key Book Publishing Paths: 2017

Should you self-publish or traditionally publish? This infographic will help you determine the best choice for you and your project.

Today’s Publishing Landscape: Two Generations of Literary Agents Speak Out

How do agenting styles vary within the same family? Are there generational differences when agents approach opportunities such as self- and hybrid publishing, which didn’t exist until a few years ago?

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.

Digital Book World 2017 - photo by Porter Anderson

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.

Create If Writing interviews Jane Friedman

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.

A blank checklist with a single checkmark

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.

A photograph of several bookstore shelves loaded with books.

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.

An Alternative to ACX for Audiobook Production and Distribution

If you’re looking for an alternative to ACX and more control over your audiobook production and distribution, then ListenUp Audiobooks is worth a look.

What to Expect When Hiring a Ghostwriter

Author and ghostwriter Stacy Ennis discusses the process of working with a ghostwriter and how to know if hiring a ghostwriter is right for you.

How to Become a Ghostwriter

Author and ghostwriter Roz Morris discusses the necessary characteristics for a ghostwriter, as well as who hires ghostwriters and why.

A New Platform for Serialized Work: Tapas Media

For years, serialization has been discussed as a significant area of opportunity for reading and publishing in the digital age. (And note to the sticklers out there: I’m using the terms serial and serialization interchangeably to refer to any situation where content is parceled out in small bites and delivered on a specific schedule, whether the […]

The Future of Publishing: 7 Things Authors Should Know

Learn how you can prepare for the future of publishing in this free workshop by Jane Friedman.

Literary Publishing in the 21st Century

The problem is not whether print will survive, but how literary publishing adapts to a world where to publish something has lost value.

A white golf tee in a field of orange golf tees

What It’s Like to Score a Kindle Scout Book Deal

Author Ken Brosky discusses his Kindle Scout book deal and his and Amazon’s marketing plans for The Proving.

4 Lessons for Authors on the Current State of Publishing

What authors need to know about current marketing practices and emerging business trends in the book publishing industry.

Newspaper title lines ripped from the newspaper

A Warning About Writing Novels That Ride the News Cycle

Thriller author Todd Moss discusses the pitfalls of using current events as the basis for a novel.

Selling Your Books Internationally

Helen Sedwick and Orna Ross discuss selling international rights to your book.

Are Paid Book Reviews Worth It?

The majority of authors will not benefit from paid book reviews, and should invest their time and money elsewhere. Here’s why.

5 On: April Eberhardt

Literary agent and publishing consultant April Eberhardt discusses effective book promotion, what makes writing exceptional from a publishing perspective, her preference for representing women’s fiction, and more in this 5 On interview.

Shepherding a Self-Published Picture Book to Success: A Conversation with Literary Agent Brenda Bowen

Sangeeta Mehta interviews agent Brenda Bowen about the success of the children’s picture book Sweet Pea & Friends: The SheepOver.

My Interview With The Kindle Chronicles

I’m interviewed by Len Edgerly of The Kindle Chronicles.

Digital Publishing and Authorship in 2016: A Discussion with Joanna Penn

In conversation with Joanna Penn, I discuss digital publishing trends and what authors need to know as they head into 2016.

Traditional Publishing: What’s It Good For?

No one used to question the value of a publisher, but now everyone’s wondering: What are they good for?

The Self-Publishing Checklist: Editorial, Production, and Distribution

This printable and interactive checklist guides your self-publishing project to completion, to ensure you don’t miss any important steps and to help you hit your target pub date.

5 Industry Issues for Authors to Watch in 2016

The most important publishing industry headlines and stories that every writer should keep an eye on in 2016.

Do Men Receive Bigger Book Advances Than Women?

Do males or females receive higher advances? I look at Publishers Marketplace deals data to find out.

Looking up from the bottom of an escalator.

The Agent’s Role in the Digital Age: A Conversation with Jessica Faust

Literary agent Jessica Faust discusses how she helps authors self-publish.

How to Publish Your Book by Jane Friedman

It’s Here! My Great Course on How to Publish Your Book

I am thrilled to announce that my 24-lecture series on how to publish your book is now available from The Great Courses.

The Business Model of Literary Journals (or Lack Thereof)

Are literary journals justified in charging reading fees?

5 Observations on the Evolution of Author Business Models

As publishing becomes increasingly digital-driven, how are the business models for authorship changing?

Getting Self-Published Books Into Libraries

Accessing the library market remains difficult for self-publishing authors, especially those with limited visibility. Here’s what authors need to understand before spending time and energy on library distribution.