5 Publishing Industry Secrets Authors Should Know

For a new author, the publishing industry is a complicated, obscure puzzle with many moving pieces. While the idea of publishing the greatest novel of all time is rather romantic, there is more than great prose at play in the publishing process. Here are a few industry secrets every author should be aware of.

There’s a trade-off between major publishing houses and smaller presses.

This seems to be one of the main points of discussion in the literary landscape of today. While major publishing houses have prestige on their side, indie publishers and the rise of self-publishing has made it easier for authors to publish their books with more ease and a bigger share of the royalties. However, some believe that self-publishing has spread the message that anyone can publish a book. In order to succeed in such a competitive industry, they believe that the prestigious reputation of a major publishing house is necessary.

If you want to know more about the differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing, check out our dedicated blog post!

Having a built-in audience will make you more appealing to publishers.

While publishers are concerned with the quality of your material, an established fan-base can be a fantastic incentive to publishing houses. If they are aware that there is a built-in audience eagerly awaiting the release of your novel, it will make them more willing to publish your work. Despite the importance of good writing, publishers must also think about whether or not a book will sell. This leads me to my next point.

Learning how to sell your book is essential to being a successful author.

Like I said, selling your novel to an audience will turn you from a good author into a successful one. While the unique story that you have to tell may be wonderfully written, publishers also want to acquire titles that they think will sell in a competitive market. This is where you can help. Depending on the size of your publisher, your book may be one of many in a list of books set to release. What you can do is maximize your own exposure of your title by marketing your book online: on your blog, on social media, anywhere where it might catch someone’s eye.

The publishing industry is always changing and will continue to do so.

Traditional publishing has changed radically in recent years. With the introduction of self-publishing and a growing digital landscape, the industry has had to react and adapt to the changes. It is a complex business that will continue to fluctuate as we dive deeper into the 21st century. The best way to be prepared for such changes? Check out our other blog posts, dedicate research time to your publishing endeavors, and stay aware of the current publishing climate. Best of luck!

---

By Florencia Cáceres, Intern

Florencia Cáceres is a recent graduate of the University of Houston with degrees in Creative Writing and Public Relations. She is passionate about world-building, high fantasy and sappy love poems. In the future, she hopes to finish her own novel and continue working with what she loves most: books.