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Publishing Industry

Are we losing the nascent democratization of books?

April 21, 2025 by Nathan Bransford 6 Comments

When I heard that Southwest Airlines will soon be eliminating its esoteric-but-efficient boarding system, likely in favor of more premium offerings, I notched it as a big loss: It’s one of the last communal experiences in American society that hadn’t yet been ruthlessly stratified by class. Now, sure, you have to be rich enough to […]

Filed Under: Publishing Industry

Do you pay attention to blurbs?

February 5, 2025 by Nathan Bransford

With social media fragmenting, I’m bringing back my old “You Tell Me” Wednesday discussions to try to get good old fashioned blog conversations going. If you’re reading in a feed reader or via email, please click through to the post to leave a public comment and join the discussion! This past week, publishing tongues were wagging as […]

Filed Under: Publishing Industry Tagged With: You Tell Me

Publishing scams are rampant. How to be vigilant.

January 27, 2025 by Nathan Bransford

Nearly every week I hear from an author who has a question for me because they’re in the process of being scammed. Publishing scams are RAMPANT. They have always existed, but they’ve reached epidemic status of late, along with America’s horrid overall scam culture. There was finally some good news on this front as some […]

Filed Under: Publishing Industry Tagged With: Scams, Writer Beware

A dreamy writer’s retreat in Wales

January 20, 2025 by Nathan Bransford

If you have a hankering to get away from it all and hole up in an inspiring little cabin in rural Wales, UK, to write to your heart’s content, have I got just the place for you. Last year, my good friend Julia Forster, a writer, author coach, and publicist, officially opened the Write Within […]

Filed Under: Publishing Industry, The Writing Life

Ideas aren’t sacred, but agents should treat submissions confidentially

June 24, 2024 by Nathan Bransford

An unfortunate controversy erupted on social media over the weekend when a literary agent, Hilary Harwell, tweeted that she wanted to see a novel similar to a query she just rejected: This appalled Book Twitter/Threads to no end, with many accusing her of stealing the original author’s idea. Harwell was subsequently let go from KT […]

Filed Under: Publishing Industry

Who are your favorite publishing people to follow?

June 5, 2024 by Nathan Bransford

With social media fragmenting, I’m bringing back my old “You Tell Me” Wednesday discussions to try to get good old fashioned blog conversations going. If you’re reading in a feed reader or via email, please click through to the post to leave a public comment and join the discussion! The social media landscape is certainly chaotic these […]

Filed Under: Publishing Industry Tagged With: You Tell Me

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About Nathan

Hi, I’m Nathan. I’m the author of How to Write a Novel and the Jacob Wonderbar series, which was published by Penguin. I used to be a literary agent at Curtis Brown Ltd. and I’m dedicated to helping authors achieve their dreams. Let me help you with your book!

My blog has everything you need to know to write, edit, and publish a book. Can’t find what you need or want personalized help? Reach out.

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My Books

How to Write A Novel
Cover of How to Publish a Book by Nathan Bransford
Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapo
Jacob Wonderbar for President of the Universe
Jacob Wonderbar and the Interstellar Time Warp

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