A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: 🕊️ When an Author Dies: What Every Writer Should Put in Place Before It Happens
There’s a quiet truth in publishing that no one likes to talk about: authors die. Over the years at MSI Press, I’ve lost about a half‑dozen of them. Each time, the news arrived in a different way — a spouse calling, a friend emailing, a stray obituary someone forwarded. Not once did an author leave instructions for what should happen to their books, their royalties, or their publishing relationships. And yet, someone always thought to notify the publisher. Thank goodness. But this shouldn’t be left to chance. Whether you’re traditionally published or self‑published, your books don’t die when you do. They continue to earn royalties, circulate in libraries, and live in the hands of readers. That means your literary estate needs clarity — and your publisher (or distributor, or platform) needs direction. Here’s what every author should put in place now , long before anyone needs it. 🌿 Why This Matters More Than You Think Most authors assume their heirs will “figure it out.” T...