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Big disruption hit book publishing before AI showed up

The Idea Logical Company

Publishers Weekly recently hosted a stimulating and smart online session about AI and publishing , thanks to the organizing and moderating skills of Peter Brantley and Thad McIlroy. But nobody has (yet) said publicly “publishing new titles is getting very hard” or “we’re going to publish a lot fewer new books.”

Publisher 340
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When a publisher might not do as good a job as a self-publishing author

The Idea Logical Company

We’ve previously explored what I called “the end of the trade publishing concept” , which stems from the now wide-open opportunity to publish available to anybody with a computer and something to deliver as a book. That requirement cost publishers money, but also served to eliminate competition.

Publisher 299
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Bindery Books: A Way to Restructure the Book Publishing Model

The Idea Logical Company

The case has been made here repeatedly over years that the business and operating model of book publishing as it has been throughout my 50+-year career is irretrievably broken. And the publishers no longer have any moat around the retailing marketplace protecting them.

Publisher 236
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Hybrid Publishers and Paid Publishing Services: Red Flags to Watch For

Jane Friedman

“I have no idea where my book is published.” These are just a few of the comments I’ve heard from authors sharing their experiences with the hybrid publishing companies they’ve chosen to work with. So if you’re an author starting out on your publishing journey, it’s important to know what to look out for. What royalties?

Publisher 115
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What the ruling against the PRH-S&S merger means for the publishing business

The Idea Logical Company

That will not be good news to Hachette and HarperCollins, both of which opposed the PRH-S&S merger but probably hoped they could pursue S&S if the publisher remained independent. The five biggest publishers are probably at their high water mark for market share. Publishing new titles profitably has become exceedingly difficult.

Publisher 276
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The Right Way to Ask a Published Writer for Publishing Advice

Jane Friedman

A mutual friend urged me to approach this writer with a question about how to publish the book I was working on. So, I walked up to him and asked if he had any pointers to offer on the publishing journey. All these years later, having published two books and many articles, I still cringe at the memory.

Publisher 130
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The Case for Pursuing a Traditional Publishing Deal Without an Agent

Jane Friedman

Securing the services of a literary agent has long been the gold standard for authors pursuing a long and successful career in publishing. At the turn of the twentieth century, the so-called “author’s representative” emerged as the figure who would help authors cut a better deal with publishers. It’s easy to understand why.

Publisher 120