MSI Press Blog

  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 respond to the question, so what good is a publisher, anyway?  It’s a fair question. In an era where self-publishing tools are abundant and accessible, why would an author choose to work with a publisher at all? Let’s start with the obvious: publishers offer editorial rigor, professional design, and distribution pathways that elevate a book’s credibility and visibility. But beyond those basics lies a deeper truth—one that’s often invisible until an author is in the thick of it. 🛡️ A Buffer Between You and the World Once your book is out, the world wants access—to your inbox, your time, your vulnerability. A publisher can...

  Every Arbor Day, we’re invited to pause and appreciate the trees that shade our lives, clean our air, and yes—once gave us the pages on which every classic novel and beloved children’s book was printed. For centuries, the magic of storytelling has been inseparable from the rustle of paper. But today, the publishing world is shifting—and it might just be good news for the forests. In the past decade, we’ve seen a noticeable rise in digital and audio formats. Ebooks have become standard for travelers and night owls alike. Audiobooks—now a $5 billion industry—are consumed during commutes, workouts, and daily chores. More people are reading (or listening) without ever turning a page. What does this mean for trees? While paper still has a firm place in publishing—especially for picture books, art books, and collectors—many publishers are adjusting their print runs and embracing print-on-demand to avoid waste. This shift not only reduces excess inventory but also decreases the need for...

  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 note that many of MSI Press authors receive letters, once their book is published, from all sorts of companies, offering a wide variety of deals: books reviews, book trailers, radio/TV interviews, magazine articles, help with marketing, re-publishing (yes, they do have the temerity to suggest this for a newly published book), and more. Some look fishy; many look good. How do you tell what is a scam? What is phishing? What is a legitimate offer? As At MSI Press, we have knowledge of many of the scams. We run down the legitimacy of offers that our authors forward to us. Authors can do themselves what we do for them, but they...