It pays for authors to keep up with the publishing industry.
You’ll conduct yourself more professionally, you’ll make wiser decisions, and you’ll feel saner and happier as a result as you move through the process.
But as reader Aisha West asks: how do you keep up with the publishing industry?
I have not blogged about this in a while!
The best way to keep up with the pulse of the industry is to follow a variety of sources and learn through osmosis through time. I use Feedly to keep up with blogs (RIP Google Reader you are not forgotten) and follow a whole bunch of writers and industry people on Twitter.
Here are some of my favorite sources.
Publishing industry news
- Publishers Marketplace – Anyone seeking traditional publication should sign up for Publishers Marketplace, which combines a daily must-read news summary called Publishers Lunch as well as book deal roundups and databases that are very helpful for research. Subscriptions are $25 per month.
- Publishers Weekly – Longtime industry magazine with news and reviews.
- Mike Shatzkin – A longtime publishing consultant who provides indispensable takes on industry trends.
- Jane Friedman – Another longtime publishing consultant and author who also edits The Hot Sheet, a paid industry news and trends newsletter.
- Writer Beware – A really great source for the latest scams and watch-out-fors in the book world.
- LitHub – Primarily oriented toward reviews and literary culture, but they have some industry news too.
- Alexandra Alter at the New York Times – Publishing industry beat reporter.
Literary agent blogs and newsletters
The blog you’re reading now started as a literary agent blog, and there are then-contemporaries of mine who are still at it and some new ones as well. These are all really indispensable for providing a glimpse into what’s on agents’ minds.
Author blogs and newsletters
- Cynthia Leitich Smith – Writing advice and publishing news.
- David Gaughran – Marketing advice oriented toward self-published authors (but with info that’s helpful
- Anne R. Allen with Ruth Harris – Advice for navigating the publishing process.
- Sarah Enni – Excellent podcast on writing and publishing.
- Dan Blank – Writing and navigating the writing life advice.
- Susan Dennard – Really good writing advice.
- Joanna Penn – Tons of advice for self-publishing and marketing.
- Nina Lacour – Writing advice and craft.
Writing advice blogs and newsletters
- Writer Unboxed – Really good writing advice and some industry news posts from a variety of writers.
- DIY MFA – Lots of writing advice.
- Writers Digest – Longtime writing magazine.
Publishing services blogs and newsletters
- BookBub – Marketing advice from BookBub, a discounted e-book vendor.
- Gotham Ghostwriters – Writing advice and an industry news roundup from the ghostwriting service.
- Reedsy – Advice for writing and self-publishing from the freelance book professional marketplace.
Literary agents, book editors, and more on Twitter
- Nathan Bransford’s list of literary agents on Twitter
- Nathan Bransford’s list of traditional book editors on Twitter
- Nathan Bransford’s list of publishing people on Twitter
I’m absolutely positive I’m missing some sources, so please feel free to add your favorites in the comments!
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