MSI Press Blog

  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...

  Turned away by other publishers because you are a first-time author and/or do not have a strong platform yet? If you have a strong manuscript, San Juan Books, our unique and creative hybrid division, may be able to help. See our contact page for information on publishing options and guide to making a book proposal.  Write to us at info@msipress.com. Read more posts on hybrid publication . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC monthly newsletter (recent releases, sales/discounts, awards, reviews, Amazon top 100 list, author advice, and more -- stay up to date) Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Planning on self-publishing and don't know where to start? Our  author au pair  services will mentor you through the process. Interested in receiving a free copy of any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a ...

  In lieu of our regular column, we want to bring your attention to the many questions from the column that are answered in this book: Recently released - the audiobook for Publishing for Smarties by B L Ham . Having trouble getting your book published? Or are you a new author, wondering how to avoid the long wait through dozens of submissions find an author? This books is for you!  Written from the perspective of an acquisitions editor for a publishing house who has also served as a reader and adviser for acquisitions editors at presses ranging from small to large to the leading presses in her field, the author helps new writers navigate the confusing myriad choices in finding a publisher.  Typical missteps of new authors are presented, along with criteria for making decisions on choosing a publisher - and advice on how to approach the publisher. Of potentially great assistance, the author, an acquisitions editor, shares real-life stories of manuscripts she turned down ...

  Today's fortune cookie is associated with Publishing for Smarties: Finding a Publisher (Ham) .   Read more about B L Ham and this book HERE . Get a copy at  MSI Press webstore . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com. Want an  author-signed copy  of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount (use coupon code FF25) and concurrently send a written request to orders@msipress.com.  Want to communicate with one of our authors? You can! Find their contact information on our  Authors' Pages .