This is a must-read for anyone aspiring to have their book published by a traditional publishing house. The odds of getting published are slim, and the chances of it becoming a big seller are even slimmer.
I have a non-profit publishing company. It started because agents and publishers have little interest taking on new authors who are older because they will never be able to build a brand around them. The publishing industry doesn’t actually care if the writing is good or original as long as it sells. Ghost written celebrity tell-alls are the best! As a novelist, I will be happy if I ever recover the editing costs. I write because I have things to say, not to get rich or even to earn a living!
Your article, with all its supporting information backs up my feeling about the publishing industry.
Forewarned is forearmed, as the saying goes. I’m going to think about this information some more, and build what I know and what I feel in my gut into my plan for writing.
“The top 4 percent of titles drive 60 percent of the profitability” 🤯 Thanks for this deep dive, Elle! Fascinating stuff. Some interesting parallels to the film industry too…
But isn’t this just life under Capitalism? Vast amounts of money spent on what in years to come will be met with the comment… Who?! I regard the mass publishing industry as junk publishers. Buy mainly books by unknown authors and small publishers. 48/50 books I buy I buy second-hand or antiquarian. The book fairs here – Australia – recirculate a million books a year. Books have never been more popular. Jürgen (librarian)
Yes, and people still buy books collectively exactly as you do. I do the same, purchasing used books regularly! This article was mostly from the standpoint of each individual author. Books sell, but individual titles don't. Even if a million books are sold in a year, each individual book might only sell a dozen copies. Which begs the question: Is that the best place for a writer to put their work?
As a self published author I can attest to this—half the book stores out there still want to put you on consignment and they will only wholesale with you if your book is “Returnable” on Ingram! I have a great essay on this if you are curious! https://whitneylanderson.substack.com/p/the-elephant-in-the-room-profit-margins
At this point in my life, writing isn’t about chasing a paycheck—it’s about finally pursuing the dream I put off for years. Sure, the financial odds are tough, but I’m fortunate to have the freedom to focus on the stories I’ve always wanted to tell. Success would be great, but the real reward is getting to do this at all.
This is a must-read for anyone aspiring to have their book published by a traditional publishing house. The odds of getting published are slim, and the chances of it becoming a big seller are even slimmer.
Thanks for sharing with us
I have a non-profit publishing company. It started because agents and publishers have little interest taking on new authors who are older because they will never be able to build a brand around them. The publishing industry doesn’t actually care if the writing is good or original as long as it sells. Ghost written celebrity tell-alls are the best! As a novelist, I will be happy if I ever recover the editing costs. I write because I have things to say, not to get rich or even to earn a living!
Your article, with all its supporting information backs up my feeling about the publishing industry.
Forewarned is forearmed, as the saying goes. I’m going to think about this information some more, and build what I know and what I feel in my gut into my plan for writing.
I like Markus Dohle’s angel investor parallel.
Far be it from me to defend megacorps, but in the spirit of logic:
“Is anyone else alarmed that the top tier is book sales of 75,000 units and up? One post on Substack could get more views than that”
But could one post generate 75,000 subs? Or have 75,000 paid access accounts?
“ The publishing industry would die, that’s for sure. But I’d be willing to bet writers would get their books read way more.”
Read ≠ paid for book
::
heard ≠ paid for album
I agree with a lot of the rest of it though
A captivating, informative read, thank you for writing this, I very much enjoyed reading it 💕
Enlightening article.
“The top 4 percent of titles drive 60 percent of the profitability” 🤯 Thanks for this deep dive, Elle! Fascinating stuff. Some interesting parallels to the film industry too…
But isn’t this just life under Capitalism? Vast amounts of money spent on what in years to come will be met with the comment… Who?! I regard the mass publishing industry as junk publishers. Buy mainly books by unknown authors and small publishers. 48/50 books I buy I buy second-hand or antiquarian. The book fairs here – Australia – recirculate a million books a year. Books have never been more popular. Jürgen (librarian)
Yes, and people still buy books collectively exactly as you do. I do the same, purchasing used books regularly! This article was mostly from the standpoint of each individual author. Books sell, but individual titles don't. Even if a million books are sold in a year, each individual book might only sell a dozen copies. Which begs the question: Is that the best place for a writer to put their work?
Fascinating read. 🙏🏻
As a self published author I can attest to this—half the book stores out there still want to put you on consignment and they will only wholesale with you if your book is “Returnable” on Ingram! I have a great essay on this if you are curious! https://whitneylanderson.substack.com/p/the-elephant-in-the-room-profit-margins
they should
At this point in my life, writing isn’t about chasing a paycheck—it’s about finally pursuing the dream I put off for years. Sure, the financial odds are tough, but I’m fortunate to have the freedom to focus on the stories I’ve always wanted to tell. Success would be great, but the real reward is getting to do this at all.
Hardcopy book sales are trending up.
Hey, have you talked to Elin Hildebrandt? They line up to buy her books.