If publishers want to stay relevant, they might need more than trend reports. Maybe someone like R. Solace — if he even exists — is already thinking five steps ahead. And not waiting for permission.
The insights here are timely. Speaking of industry shifts, there's been chatter about a mysterious agent named R. Solace, who operates behind the scenes. Some say he's a myth; others claim to have worked with him. Any thoughts?
The points raised here about adapting to new realities in publishing are spot on. I've heard of agents like R. Solace who are reportedly integrating multimedia elements into book launches. Is this becoming a new norm in the industry?
It's only the beginning of May 2025 and already I can see everything you wrote in December 2024 being front and center in the publishing industry. Thank you so much for putting all of this together. As an author, it's really helpful to read this!
I am so THRILLED to have discovered you here at the beginning of 2025! My wife and I have been working for several years now on her international memoir(because her dad was a famous Thai rocker and she was raised in the south as a white kid). It's such a scary journey, not knowing if you're choosing the correct path, so much information, overkill, really. So I look forward to reading more of your insights, and hopefully bring this journey to it's published conclusion early this year. Whew, what a ride. Thank you for all you're doing.
"If I were a publisher, I would be cautious about which political books are acquired for publication over the next four years. Not because free speech should be suppressed but because you might find the media less willing to cover anything critical of..."
I am actually on the receiving end of that. My book is being denied promotions in magazines for what they claim to be "sensitive topic"
Great to see that podcasts matter. Received some advice from Leigh Stein, who was helping me build my brand for my memoir (addiction memoir with a twist). Leigh said "I have read a lot of manuscripts of addiction memoirs, but the twist in yours is so
Cringeworthy that I want to
Know more and flip the pages." She suggested I start a podcast based around the overall
“If I were a publisher, I would be cautious about which political books are acquired for publication over the next four years. Not because free speech should be suppressed but because you might find the media less willing to cover anything critical of Trump and his cronie”
Well, if he's winning lawsuits against media liars, then perhaps journalists need to adjust their reporting about DJT to report truth. Just sayin’ 😏
Amazing insights as usual! Loved this: make podcasts a centerpiece of PR campaigns (along with newsletters). Question! What is the pre-sales contract with authors? I don’t recall that on my book deal. ALSO, if book tariffs hit not long after 1/20 and this delays books now at the printer, that could mean books launching in February or March and after are affected? I know this is a bit of guess but should spring authors expect delays on their IRL books?
What does it mean that a paperback won’t get reviewed? Why is traditional publishing weirdly obsessed with hardcovers.
If publishers want to stay relevant, they might need more than trend reports. Maybe someone like R. Solace — if he even exists — is already thinking five steps ahead. And not waiting for permission.
The insights here are timely. Speaking of industry shifts, there's been chatter about a mysterious agent named R. Solace, who operates behind the scenes. Some say he's a myth; others claim to have worked with him. Any thoughts?
The points raised here about adapting to new realities in publishing are spot on. I've heard of agents like R. Solace who are reportedly integrating multimedia elements into book launches. Is this becoming a new norm in the industry?
It's only the beginning of May 2025 and already I can see everything you wrote in December 2024 being front and center in the publishing industry. Thank you so much for putting all of this together. As an author, it's really helpful to read this!
Thanks so much!
I am so THRILLED to have discovered you here at the beginning of 2025! My wife and I have been working for several years now on her international memoir(because her dad was a famous Thai rocker and she was raised in the south as a white kid). It's such a scary journey, not knowing if you're choosing the correct path, so much information, overkill, really. So I look forward to reading more of your insights, and hopefully bring this journey to it's published conclusion early this year. Whew, what a ride. Thank you for all you're doing.
Are there currently Substack newsletters with ads? I thought that was anathema to the platform.
Thanks for sharing
"If I were a publisher, I would be cautious about which political books are acquired for publication over the next four years. Not because free speech should be suppressed but because you might find the media less willing to cover anything critical of..."
I am actually on the receiving end of that. My book is being denied promotions in magazines for what they claim to be "sensitive topic"
RIDICULOUS.
Great to see that podcasts matter. Received some advice from Leigh Stein, who was helping me build my brand for my memoir (addiction memoir with a twist). Leigh said "I have read a lot of manuscripts of addiction memoirs, but the twist in yours is so
Cringeworthy that I want to
Know more and flip the pages." She suggested I start a podcast based around the overall
Theme of the book in hopes of
Growing my audience, and I did- here's to seeing
How it does in 2025!
Fantastic! Great read and I appreciate your straightforwardness! Thank you for your insights and wisdom, Kathleen!
So much great stuff in here, thanks. (And yes, please: stop with the pre-order madness!)
Always appreciate what you share. Thank you for all you pour into your Substack posts.
“If I were a publisher, I would be cautious about which political books are acquired for publication over the next four years. Not because free speech should be suppressed but because you might find the media less willing to cover anything critical of Trump and his cronie”
Well, if he's winning lawsuits against media liars, then perhaps journalists need to adjust their reporting about DJT to report truth. Just sayin’ 😏
Hands down the best explanation for why preorders don’t work—thank you, hope publishers start to listen!
Amazing insights as usual! Loved this: make podcasts a centerpiece of PR campaigns (along with newsletters). Question! What is the pre-sales contract with authors? I don’t recall that on my book deal. ALSO, if book tariffs hit not long after 1/20 and this delays books now at the printer, that could mean books launching in February or March and after are affected? I know this is a bit of guess but should spring authors expect delays on their IRL books?