Thanks for this epic run down. Love how practical your insight always is.
Wild West idea related to pre orders and drops: what is publishers and authors named how many copies of their first print run were available. So there was a sense of urgency to get the book. They could even announce this in the typical “pre order” window and then essentially plan another print run but not until later. For creator and high platform driven books, say for cookbooks, I could see this working well. Plus publishers still would get the benefit/safety net of knowing how the book is doing across accounts that way. It could even encourage more Indie shopping if that’s those were the only accounts used for the campaign. Food for thought!
And Not So Secret Agent side note: dreading tariffs due to cookbook production costs.
I am going to try out using AI to find good matches between me/my book and podcasts, thank you for that tip (and of course, all of the insightful information here!)
My debut novel just came out as a paperback original, which I specifically requested of my publisher (although they were probably planning on doing so anyway)--I personally love paperbacks too, and I figured the lower price point would be a plus!
Great round-up of the many issues, challenges, and evolving areas of publishing that are ongoing and will present themselves even more in 2025 — thank you Kathleen for such a thorough post!
Hi Kathleen, great information in a highly readable form. I learned a lot. I would be so thankful and appreciative to find information like this that is politically agnostic. All the Trump-hating stuff...could you not tell us the info pertinent to us without the spin? Does everyone in academia, the intelligentsia and mainstream media overlook the fact his political opponents receive billions of in-kind donations by way of the front pages and editorial staffs of all major media conglomerates, who have literally no accountability for anything they publish or say that is incorrect? Please don't intimidate me or bash me or give me a tongue-lashing in a response here. (To clarify, it is simply a rhetorical question.)
Just take a breath and consider what I've said, including all the kudos and appreciation.
No, because he IS in the context of the things I mentioned. He IS going after media who does not, in his eyes, "treat him fairly," which means they are critical of him. He IS a danger to the freedom of the press. This is not a rhetorical question when you show up in the comments accusing me of "spin," when this is not spin. It's a fact. It's happening. These are issues that the industry must be concerned about because they are real. If you want agnostic information, you'd need to look for someone who doesn't think any of what I have written about is an issue. I don't need to take a breath. None of this was written with an agenda except highlighting what is happening and how it affects the publishing ecosystem.
Hi Kathleen. I love Liz in Shrinking too, especially the Derrick dynamic, even if I act more like Harrison Ford🙄. This is a great review, thanks. I was confused reading "It'll be interesting to see what happens when more Substack newsletters accept advertising" because I thought Substack's founders use the lack of adverts on the platform as a key selling point to attract readers. Have I missed something here?
Yes. There are newsletters on here that accept advertising. They do not share that revenue with Substack. Book Riot is one example. Advertising on the platform would mean you see ads as you would on social media. Advertising within newsletters is different. The creators of said newsletters are the ones accepting advertising for their own publications on here.
This is really rigorous and insightful. Was so pleased to see a mention of Soricebooks in here. I’ve just signed my first US deal with them, so this makes me excited!
Thanks for this. I’m trying to sell my first novel and it feels like an impossible slog… this post reminds me that I’ve created something important and how the industry reacts does not necessarily reflect on the quality of my work but perhaps, instead, has more to do with the complicated (broken?) state of the industry.
As I sit here a month after my debut novel published, I keep reminding myself that I put a piece of art out into the world that I'm genuinely proud of, and several people have told me they found it meaningful/enjoyable to read. If nothing else, I am holding on to that!
What do you think about branded mass merchants (ok, Target) creating its own imprint and publishing exclusive books? I think maybe the music and book deals it has with Taylor Swift and a few other artists is the trial balloon they launched to test viability.
Extremely interesting and useful, thank you. Would be great if the New Zealand Publishers Association, of which I’m a member, could get you to speak at our next conference by video link. I will suggest it. Do you do that kind of thing?
Our family watches ‘Elf’ as our Christmas season startup every year! It’s so silly, and, honestly, the way Buddy and Jovie end up together is…almost disturbing. But it’s a fun family one and I’d argue that it’s aged fairly well.
Agree with everything on here, especially the digital ads and the need for an increase in editor salaries. Preorders wasn't something I thought about but you're right, they're not building the excitement publishers think they are. I've noticed that for sure with all my published books.
Thanks for this epic run down. Love how practical your insight always is.
Wild West idea related to pre orders and drops: what is publishers and authors named how many copies of their first print run were available. So there was a sense of urgency to get the book. They could even announce this in the typical “pre order” window and then essentially plan another print run but not until later. For creator and high platform driven books, say for cookbooks, I could see this working well. Plus publishers still would get the benefit/safety net of knowing how the book is doing across accounts that way. It could even encourage more Indie shopping if that’s those were the only accounts used for the campaign. Food for thought!
And Not So Secret Agent side note: dreading tariffs due to cookbook production costs.
I am going to try out using AI to find good matches between me/my book and podcasts, thank you for that tip (and of course, all of the insightful information here!)
I was genuinely surprised to learn people don't do paperbacks first since I personally find them sooo much nicer than hardcovers! Great article too <3
My debut novel just came out as a paperback original, which I specifically requested of my publisher (although they were probably planning on doing so anyway)--I personally love paperbacks too, and I figured the lower price point would be a plus!
Thank you!
Great round-up of the many issues, challenges, and evolving areas of publishing that are ongoing and will present themselves even more in 2025 — thank you Kathleen for such a thorough post!
Hi Kathleen, great information in a highly readable form. I learned a lot. I would be so thankful and appreciative to find information like this that is politically agnostic. All the Trump-hating stuff...could you not tell us the info pertinent to us without the spin? Does everyone in academia, the intelligentsia and mainstream media overlook the fact his political opponents receive billions of in-kind donations by way of the front pages and editorial staffs of all major media conglomerates, who have literally no accountability for anything they publish or say that is incorrect? Please don't intimidate me or bash me or give me a tongue-lashing in a response here. (To clarify, it is simply a rhetorical question.)
Just take a breath and consider what I've said, including all the kudos and appreciation.
No, because he IS in the context of the things I mentioned. He IS going after media who does not, in his eyes, "treat him fairly," which means they are critical of him. He IS a danger to the freedom of the press. This is not a rhetorical question when you show up in the comments accusing me of "spin," when this is not spin. It's a fact. It's happening. These are issues that the industry must be concerned about because they are real. If you want agnostic information, you'd need to look for someone who doesn't think any of what I have written about is an issue. I don't need to take a breath. None of this was written with an agenda except highlighting what is happening and how it affects the publishing ecosystem.
Thanks for your response. I appreciate your time in answering.
Hi Kathleen. I love Liz in Shrinking too, especially the Derrick dynamic, even if I act more like Harrison Ford🙄. This is a great review, thanks. I was confused reading "It'll be interesting to see what happens when more Substack newsletters accept advertising" because I thought Substack's founders use the lack of adverts on the platform as a key selling point to attract readers. Have I missed something here?
Yes. There are newsletters on here that accept advertising. They do not share that revenue with Substack. Book Riot is one example. Advertising on the platform would mean you see ads as you would on social media. Advertising within newsletters is different. The creators of said newsletters are the ones accepting advertising for their own publications on here.
This is really rigorous and insightful. Was so pleased to see a mention of Soricebooks in here. I’ve just signed my first US deal with them, so this makes me excited!
Thanks for this. I’m trying to sell my first novel and it feels like an impossible slog… this post reminds me that I’ve created something important and how the industry reacts does not necessarily reflect on the quality of my work but perhaps, instead, has more to do with the complicated (broken?) state of the industry.
As I sit here a month after my debut novel published, I keep reminding myself that I put a piece of art out into the world that I'm genuinely proud of, and several people have told me they found it meaningful/enjoyable to read. If nothing else, I am holding on to that!
I think that is the healthiest way to frame it.
What do you think about branded mass merchants (ok, Target) creating its own imprint and publishing exclusive books? I think maybe the music and book deals it has with Taylor Swift and a few other artists is the trial balloon they launched to test viability.
Jam packed with useful information!
Extremely interesting and useful, thank you. Would be great if the New Zealand Publishers Association, of which I’m a member, could get you to speak at our next conference by video link. I will suggest it. Do you do that kind of thing?
SO good. Love your insights.
Awesome article as always! Thank you for sharing your insights with all of us here on Substack and have a wonderful holiday!
Our family watches ‘Elf’ as our Christmas season startup every year! It’s so silly, and, honestly, the way Buddy and Jovie end up together is…almost disturbing. But it’s a fun family one and I’d argue that it’s aged fairly well.
Wow, thank you for not sugarcoating things! I especially appreciate your thoughts about pre-orders and author advances, both spot-on.
Thanks for reading it! I am not one to sugarcoat things--much to the chagrin of my family :)
Agree with everything on here, especially the digital ads and the need for an increase in editor salaries. Preorders wasn't something I thought about but you're right, they're not building the excitement publishers think they are. I've noticed that for sure with all my published books.
Preorders are not a realistic barometer for a book’s success…at all!