Image: the hand of an unseen person begins to pull back the heavy, red curtain of a theatrical stage as if they're about to emerge from the darkness.

Ghostwriting Trends: A Report from the Gathering of the Ghosts in New York City

Ghostwriters, whose literary contributions have often been made in secret, are creating more community and visibility for their work.
Image: a hastily-made sign written in marker on brown paper and taped to a window reads "Sorry we are now closed."

Why Do Publishers Close Imprints?

Insufficient sales are the primary reason that imprints close, in addition to greater efficiency and even corporate politics.
Screenshot of Fire and Fury, an AI-generated book about the Maui fires by Dr Miles Stones, for sale on Barnes & Noble's website.

How AI-Generated Books Could Hurt Self-Publishing Authors

Self-publishing authors may end up as collateral damage in the rising tide of AI-generated books appearing at major online retailers.
Image: flames and smoke erupt from a garbage dumpster.

I Would Rather See My Books Get Pirated Than This (Or: Why Goodreads and Amazon Are Becoming Dumpster Fires)

Amazon and Goodreads must take steps to combat the flood of AI-generated content that will mislead readers and damage author reputations.
PRH antitrust trial and author advances

Why the DOJ v PRH Antitrust Trial Doesn’t Change the Game for Authors, Regardless of Outcome

The big dogs will remain the big dogs. Mega advances will still be paid, and it will remain challenging to make a living if you’re the average author (as it has been throughout history if you depend on book sales alone).
Quote from Becky Tuch: "What it comes down to, and I’m not sure people talk about this enough in creative writing programs: If you are passionate and obsessed then you will get it. You will find your way."

How the Literary Journal Landscape Is and Isn’t Changing

The publisher of the Lit Mag News Roundup discusses current trends, editor pet peeves, diversity, how to handle rejection, and more.
Image: Netflix on the screen of an iMac computer.

What Kind of Book Translates Well to the Screen?

Well-constructed stories, snappy dialogue, and surprising twists can all contribute to a book’s chance of being chosen for adaptation.
Image: three schoolgirls gathered around a stack of picture books.

What’s Selling in Children’s Books + What’s Ahead for 2022

Growth in the children’s market continues, especially for series and licensed characters. BookTok emerges as an organic social media boost for backlist YA.
Yes, Social Media Can Sell Books. But Not If Publishers Sit on Their Hands

Yes, Social Media Can Sell Books. But Not If Publishers Sit on Their Hands

Publishers need to closely collaborate with their authors if they expect that author's large social media following to sell books.
Image: six gold-painted eggs in a cardboard holder.

NFTs for Authors: Is This a Rush for Fool’s Gold?

One marketer offers an opinion about why the promise of NFTs will most likely not upturn the whole publishing industry.
NFTs: What Are They and How Much Should Writers and Publishers Care?

NFTs: What Are They and How Much Should Writers and Publishers Care?

Much remains unknown about NFTs but some in publishing think they might be revolutionary for writers, and indeed the world.
Image: an aisle at a public library, flanked by shelves of books.

What Do Authors Earn from Digital Lending at Libraries?

Does library lending help or hurt author and publisher income? The debate continues.
Image: two young Black girls sitting together on a couch, reading a picture book.

Black Voices in Publishing: Is It a Trend or a Movement?

The Authors Guild revisits industry efforts to improve inclusivity in publishing.
Image: a loaded container ship on the ocean

Buying Books for the Holidays? Be Prepared to Be Flexible.

From paper manufacturing to ocean cargo, books continue to be buffeted by a variety of supply chain challenges.
Substack money

I Like Substack. But the PR Is Getting Ridiculous.

Substack makes it easy for non-tech people to harness the power of email newsletters, and that's a good thing. Just beware the hype.
The New Holy Grail of Traditional Publishers: Direct-to-Reader Relationships

The New Holy Grail of Traditional Publishers: Direct-to-Reader Relationships

Building direct-to-reader relationships may help publishers shift the balance of power in a game where Amazon holds most of the cards.
book sales up in 2020

How the Pandemic Is Affecting Book Publishing

The dramatic shifts to online sales makes it critical that publishers and authors adjust marketing strategies and build new skill sets.
Amazon's Importance to US Book Sales Keeps Increasing—for Better or Worse

Amazon’s Importance to US Book Sales Keeps Increasing—for Better or Worse

Amazon has changed, grown, and dominated more than any other company in the book publishing industry. Here are the key developments that authors need to know about.
Everyone Wants Barnes & Noble to Survive. Can It?

Everyone Wants Barnes & Noble to Survive. Can It?

The biggest bookseller in the United States has suffered a slow decline over the last 10 years. Can the business be turned around?
Traditional Publishing Enjoys Its Best Sales in a Decade—Despite Supply Chain Problems

Traditional Publishing Enjoys Its Best Sales in a Decade—Despite Supply Chain Problems

Book publishing faces a very tight printing market at the same time that sales have increased to levels not seen for ten years.
book publishing industry

US Book Publishing Remains Resilient: Print and Ebook Sales Are Growing

As much of the retail world faces crisis, book publishing is positioned to grow in terms of unit sales when compared to 2019. In fact, 2020 may prove to be one of the strongest sales years in recent memory.
book publishing industry

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.
Friedman DBW

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.
When Teen YA Authors Hire Ghostwriters

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.
BookExpo 2018

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.
A Brief History of the Fantasy Genre

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?
publishing predictions and trends

What Does 2018 Hold for Writers?

A round-up of publishing industry trend articles, helping freelancers and authors anticipate changes coming in 2018.
BookExpo

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
publishing industry

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.
high quality literary journal

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.
mainstream media

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.
Nielsen book sales share

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.
statistics about Amazon

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?
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.
book publishing industry

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.
publishing industry

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.
Indie Author Fringe

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

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.
Porter Anderson Digital Book World

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.
Kindle Chronicles Friedman

My Interview With The Kindle Chronicles

I'm interviewed by Len Edgerly of The Kindle Chronicles.
Friedman Penn podcast

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.
Literary journal business model

The Business Model of Literary Journals (or Lack Thereof)

Are literary journals justified in charging reading fees?
Richard Nash

An Interview with Richard Nash: The Future of Publishing

The visionary independent publisher discusses how to make money from writing, why books are not culture, and why it isn’t Amazon’s fault.
Bo Sacks

An Interview With Bo Sacks: The Magazine Industry and the Future of Publishing

Bo Sacks, a magazine industry vet, talks about technology, optimism, and what it’s like to put out a daily newsletter for 20 years.
Decline in Fiction Sales

The State of the Publishing Industry in 5 Charts

Take a look at 5 charts that reflect current trends in the book publishing industry, and what they mean for authors.
Writer's Digest October 2014

The Value of Agent-Assisted Self-Publishing

Read my feature article for Writer's Digest magazine that explores the intersection of literary agents and self-publishing
Allyson Rudolph

5 On: Allyson Rudolph

Allyson Rudolph discusses some of her favorite experimental fiction, the day-to-day life of an associate editor at a publishing house, common problems she sees in fiction and nonfiction, her commitment to increased diversity in media and the arts, and more.
by Kit Logan via Flickr

Is It Fair Use? 7 Questions to Ask Before Using Copyrighted Material

Fair use allows you to use someone’s copyrighted work without permission. However, invoking fair use is not a straightforward matter. Learn the 7 questions to ask to help determine if your use might be considered fair under the law.
The Lure of Romance Writing (and Earnings) for the Literary Set

The Lure of Romance Writing (and Earnings) for the Literary Set

A growing number of authors with serious literary cred are finding greater financial success—and a welcoming community—in the romance business.
A Conversation With the SELF-e Team: Exploring Payment for Authors

A Conversation With the SELF-e Team: Exploring Payment for Authors

SELF-e offers self-published authors a way to distribute ebooks to libraries, but without any pay. The team behind SELF-e addresses the money issue.