A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: Oh, the uncertainty of publishing for publishers
It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.
This week we discuss the business of uncertainty. Publishers must navigate an unpredictable landscape. It is helpful when authors understand this -- and it can help authors understand their own position in the publishing world.
Status
The publishing industry is no stranger to uncertainty. While storytelling and knowledge-sharing are as old as civilization itself, the business of publishing has never been a fixed equation. Each year brings new disruptions, evolving technologies, shifting consumer behaviors, and fresh complexities in how we discover, produce, and distribute content. For publishers — whether traditional houses, hybrids, or independents — uncertainty isn’t just a passing challenge; it’s a defining feature of the work.
The External Landscape: Change Is Constant
1.Technological Disruption
Publishing must constantly respond to technological shifts. The way readers consume content has transformed dramatically — from print to eBooks, audiobooks, and now immersive digital formats. AI is knocking at the door, not just in marketing or operations but in content creation itself. Publishers who fail to adapt risk being left behind, while those who chase every new platform without strategy risk spreading themselves too thin.
2. Market Volatility and Consumer Behavior
Consumer preferences are a moving target. A genre that dominated last year may falter this year. Viral trends can catapult a book to success or render a marketing plan irrelevant overnight. New entrants and self-publishing platforms continue to reshape the competitive landscape, giving readers more choices and authors more routes to market.
3. Economic Pressures
Global supply chain issues, rising production costs, inflation, and fluctuating paper prices all challenge the economic foundation of publishing. Profit margins are squeezed. Print runs become riskier. Every decision — from advances to pricing — requires careful calibration.
4. Legal and Ethical Terrain
Copyright laws, licensing agreements, international rights, and now data privacy concerns all place publishers under constant legal pressure. Add to that the need to uphold ethical publishing practices in a polarized world, and the responsibilities grow heavier. Missteps can damage reputations quickly in the court of public opinion.
5. Sustainability Demands
Readers and stakeholders alike are pushing for more eco-friendly publishing. From ethical sourcing of materials to reducing waste in warehousing and distribution, publishers must reevaluate old models and embrace more sustainable methods. Green publishing is no longer a trend — it’s an expectation.
6. Diversity and Representation
Publishers are being called to do more than reflect society — they are expected to lead by amplifying diverse voices and creating inclusive spaces. This isn’t just about expanding author lists; it’s about fostering authentic, equitable storytelling and reevaluating editorial practices.
The Internal Realities: Working With Authors in a Shifting World
While the industry faces macro-level disruptions, the day-to-day work of publishers also involves navigating human unpredictability — especially in partnerships with authors.
1. Author Reliability
Deadlines slip. Manuscripts arrive in unexpected states of readiness. Some authors are seasoned professionals, others require hands-on guidance. Managing this wide range of reliability is both an art and a logistical challenge.
2. Creative vs. Commercial Balance
Publishers walk a tightrope between honoring the author’s creative vision and making the book commercially viable. Editorial notes can be taken as support or as censorship. Cover designs and marketing angles can spark heated debates. At its best, this tension produces great work. At its worst, it frays the partnership.
3. Market Uncertainty
No one has a crystal ball. What feels fresh during acquisitions might be passé by the time a book is released. Investing in trends can be profitable — or disastrous. Publishers must rely on instinct, experience, and data, knowing that even all three combined can be wrong.
4. Contractual Disputes and Financial Complexity
Royalty rates, subrights, advances — even with good contracts, there’s room for confusion, especially as books are repurposed into audiobooks, translations, or film options. Disputes can arise over interpretations, and not all are easily resolved.
5. Dishonesty and Third-Party Interference
Sadly, not every author is transparent — and not every author works alone. In some cases, families or business partners step in with conflicting agendas. In one particularly difficult project, family members became entangled in the publishing process, challenging the author’s narrative and causing substantial delays and emotional strain for all involved, and eventually the book had to be shelved. These situations require patience, diplomacy, and sometimes, a firm line.
6. Piracy and Unauthorized Use
Once a book is out in the world, it’s vulnerable. Ebooks are particularly easy to pirate, often appearing on unauthorized sites within days. Even printed books get scanned, stolen, and redistributed. Legal action is possible, but often slow and expensive.
Staying Afloat in an Uncertain Sea
What does it take to navigate this landscape? Flexibility. Communication. Strategic thinking. But above all, resilience.
Publishers today must be more than gatekeepers — they must be innovators, diplomats, analysts, and educators. The uncertainty isn’t going away. If anything, it’s intensifying. But for those willing to embrace it with open eyes and creative minds, this business remains not just viable, but vital.
Bottom line: Adapt your proposals to indicate that you understand publishers' reality; it will help your proposal stand out and build early comfort and trust.
See more Publisher Conversations with Authors HERE.
Learn more about publishing from an acquisitions editor -- how to get your book proposal accepted, why proposals are turned down/accepted, and how to find the right publisher for your book. On special sale for $5 while inventory lasts at MSI Press webstore. Also available as an e-book and an audiobook.
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The Tuesday talks reflect real discussions between the management of MSI Press LLC and our own authors or those would-be authors who come through our doors but don't make the cut--yet. If you have a topic that you would like addressed, leave the question in the comment section. Chances are, in our 18 years of publishing first-time and experiences authors, we have had a conversation with one of our authors that we can share with you.
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Julia Aziz, signing her book, Lessons of Labor, at an event at Book People in Austin, Texas.
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