MSI Press Blog

Authors often ask: Do awards really matter for my book’s success? The answer is yes — but not all awards carry the same weight. For nonfiction, it’s helpful to think of awards in three categories: major, minor (competitive), and less-competitive. Each plays a different role in ROI (return on investment), both financially and in terms of credibility. 📚 Major Awards (Transformative ROI) These are the prizes that can catapult a nonfiction book into bestseller status and secure long-term influence. They attract mainstream media coverage, bookstore promotion, and institutional adoption. Pulitzer Prize (General Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, History) National Book Award (Nonfiction) National Book Critics Circle Award (Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir) PEN America Literary Awards (Nonfiction categories) Anisfield-Wolf Book Award (Nonfiction) Los Angeles Times Book Prize (Nonfiction categories) 👉 ROI impact : Immediate financial spike, sustained visibility, and enduring cultural influen...

  Publishing is often described as a business, but at MSI Press we see it as a relationship. Authors are not just names on a contract or manuscripts in a queue; they are partners, storytellers, and visionaries whose voices deserve to be nurtured. That’s why we work with authors a little differently—and we believe it makes all the difference. 🌱 How It All Began MSI Press was born out of a need. The Coalition of Distinguished Language Centers sought an outlet to share rare materials, and we stepped in to provide it. That meant working closely with authors and leaders to get things the way they wanted them. From the very beginning, MSI Press was different: author-oriented, purpose-driven, and committed to collaboration. Over time, we diversified into the lines we have today, but that founding spirit has never changed. 📨 Honest Responses from the First Query Our difference starts with the very first query we receive. We respond honestly, as we see it. If a manuscript is poorly ...

  This week, I’d like to speak candidly about something that happened recently—and offer a bit of guidance for authors seeking publication. I received a call on my personal cell phone from a writer I didn’t know. He had found my number online and decided to reach out directly to pitch his book. Unfortunately, he caught me at a difficult moment: I was at a doctor’s office, fielding urgent calls about my daughter’s care. I answered because I was expecting medical updates. Instead, I found myself on the receiving end of a cold pitch—and when I asked the caller to send an email instead, he seemed annoyed. Let me be clear: I understand the passion and urgency that drive authors to seek a publisher. I admire that drive. But cold calling a publisher’s personal number—especially without invitation or context—is not the way to begin a professional relationship. Publishing is a collaborative process built on mutual respect, timing, and trust. That begins with honoring boundaries. So, wha...