HALLIE EPHRON: Last week, the New York Times ran a sort of autopsy on the 2025 book business, and it was not all gloom and doom.
Here were some takeaways:
- Nonfiction and Y.A. are hurting
- Genre novels (that's us) are booming
- Books about sex and magic were blockbusters
- A.I. disrupted online search flooding Amazon with poorly written books made it harder to distinguish them from books written by humans
- Major retailers ordered fewer books
- Fewer companies were providing distribution channels to bookstores
- Book bans threatened to limit purchases
- YA fiction fell (down 12% from last year) but many of those readers moved on to different categories...
BUT BUT BUT - In toto, 🌟print book sales were mostly unchanged
- Paper (as opposed to digital) books still make up about 3/4 of book sales
- Audio book sales held steady
- Physical bookstores are hanging in there and 422 new bookstores joined American Booksellers Association
From our perspectives, as a long-time published authors...
? What's changed most behind the scenes, from an aspiring or published author perspective, about writing, pitching, publishing, selling...?? And is there good news nestled within the not-so-good?
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Hmmm. Great question. I have heard: popcorn books. People want fast, SHORT, popcorn books. “I read it in one day” is the new best thing.
Genre blending is no longer anathema–anyone can blend genres and everyone understands it.
We all wish we had sprayed edges.
People are caring less about trade reviews. (Do you find this is true?)
As in: A star from PW is not as important as reviews from readers.
The industry says blurbs are dead, but authors (and readers?) do not agree. Even if they say they agree, it matters.
You better have a fabulous cover.
No one knows if in-person book tours work.
To quote WIlliam Goldman, no one knows anything.
JENN McKINLAY: The more I know the less I know seems to be my relationship with publishing. I think most things like the flood of AI generated books will get sorted through attrition. Readers will not tolerate bad books.
Influencers still seem to be publishing’s darlings for marketing and publicity (insert eye roll) and whether that works or not, I have no idea.
But I believe the one truth that holds is that a good book will find its readers and authors simply need to focus on their craft, write the best story they can, and the readers will find them. Like the movie Field of Dreams, “If you build it, they will come.”
RHYS BOWEN: I have never understood the publishing industry. Why they sink millions into a book while ignoring equally good similar books.
Having been with Lake Union ( an Amazon Company) for eight years now I can see what works there. Intense and ongoing marketing to those who buy similar books. They still promote a book I wrote in 2017 which means the titles stay on bestseller lists for ever. But the trade off is that they don’t make it to regular bookstores. NYT won’t include them in bestseller lists.
The big problem is that anyone can put their book up on Amazon and the reader has no way of knowing which books have had editorial guidance and which are half written by AI. A reader tries a mystery for the first time. It’s poorly written and the reader decides mysteries are not worth my time.
I personally have only written books I want to read but are not on the shelf yet. I don’t follow trends or markets.
And as for the future: All I know is my family went to Barnes and Noble on Boxing Day and each retuned with a bag full of books. And these are my grandkids! There will always be readers.
LUCY BURDETTE: LOL on the sprayed edges Hank! I didn’t even know what those were until Jenn explained it to us, and then I saw tables and tables of them at Barnes and Noble. Gorgeous and I want them now!
As for reading the publishing tea leaves, no idea. I find I’m best off putting my head down and writing my pages and making them the best stories I’m capable of.
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Not gonna lie, I envy those sprayed edges, glorious romantasy covers and the sets that make a picture when you line the books up on your shelves. Sigh!
It’s interesting that you say short books, Hank, because I’ve spoken to several readers who long to sink into big, JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR NORREL sized novels. I wonder if it’s kids who cut their teeth on the Harry Potter series growing up and wanting that immersive experience?
Publishers apparently don’t see the value of authors appearing much in public, but every indy bookseller I spoke with said they’re vital to their business.
Yes to young people loving paper books. My 20s-30s kids are all readers, as you might expect, and none of them do ebooks. Meanwhile, everyone old enough to have presbyopia LOVES the convenience of being able to change the font size!
My intuition says books that sweep the reader away into a different time/place/income level will be popular for the next couple of years. We’re still living in the bad vibes economy, and readers want to escape, not get their noses rubbed into How Bad Life Can Be. So I’m looking at beach reads, glamorous thrillers, historicals, fantasy and romantasy to be or continue to be hot in 2026.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: Julia, my daughter, who is a few years older than your kids, only reads paper books, preferably hardcover, unless she is desperate. So, yeah, I think "ebooks will kill print books" was probably a bit overblown. As was "reading is dead, no one can get published, etc., etc.," back when I was first contemplating writing a novel, mumble-mumble years ago.
Basically, the business model of publishing has never made any sense, no one has any idea what actually sells books, and all you can do is the best job you can of writing your book.
HALLIE: So that's our somewhat-insiders view of the state of publishing.
Turning it over to you, now... looking back over the year from where you sit, what's changing (or not) in book publishing??
(And for those of you who have access to the NY Times, here's a link to their 2025 autopsy of the book business.)
Genre blending is no longer anathema–anyone can blend genres and everyone understands it.
We all wish we had sprayed edges.
People are caring less about trade reviews. (Do you find this is true?)
As in: A star from PW is not as important as reviews from readers.
The industry says blurbs are dead, but authors (and readers?) do not agree. Even if they say they agree, it matters.
You better have a fabulous cover.
No one knows if in-person book tours work.
To quote WIlliam Goldman, no one knows anything.
JENN McKINLAY: The more I know the less I know seems to be my relationship with publishing. I think most things like the flood of AI generated books will get sorted through attrition. Readers will not tolerate bad books.
Influencers still seem to be publishing’s darlings for marketing and publicity (insert eye roll) and whether that works or not, I have no idea.
But I believe the one truth that holds is that a good book will find its readers and authors simply need to focus on their craft, write the best story they can, and the readers will find them. Like the movie Field of Dreams, “If you build it, they will come.”
RHYS BOWEN: I have never understood the publishing industry. Why they sink millions into a book while ignoring equally good similar books.
Having been with Lake Union ( an Amazon Company) for eight years now I can see what works there. Intense and ongoing marketing to those who buy similar books. They still promote a book I wrote in 2017 which means the titles stay on bestseller lists for ever. But the trade off is that they don’t make it to regular bookstores. NYT won’t include them in bestseller lists.
The big problem is that anyone can put their book up on Amazon and the reader has no way of knowing which books have had editorial guidance and which are half written by AI. A reader tries a mystery for the first time. It’s poorly written and the reader decides mysteries are not worth my time.
I personally have only written books I want to read but are not on the shelf yet. I don’t follow trends or markets.
And as for the future: All I know is my family went to Barnes and Noble on Boxing Day and each retuned with a bag full of books. And these are my grandkids! There will always be readers.
LUCY BURDETTE: LOL on the sprayed edges Hank! I didn’t even know what those were until Jenn explained it to us, and then I saw tables and tables of them at Barnes and Noble. Gorgeous and I want them now!
As for reading the publishing tea leaves, no idea. I find I’m best off putting my head down and writing my pages and making them the best stories I’m capable of.
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Not gonna lie, I envy those sprayed edges, glorious romantasy covers and the sets that make a picture when you line the books up on your shelves. Sigh!
It’s interesting that you say short books, Hank, because I’ve spoken to several readers who long to sink into big, JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR NORREL sized novels. I wonder if it’s kids who cut their teeth on the Harry Potter series growing up and wanting that immersive experience?
Publishers apparently don’t see the value of authors appearing much in public, but every indy bookseller I spoke with said they’re vital to their business.
Yes to young people loving paper books. My 20s-30s kids are all readers, as you might expect, and none of them do ebooks. Meanwhile, everyone old enough to have presbyopia LOVES the convenience of being able to change the font size!
My intuition says books that sweep the reader away into a different time/place/income level will be popular for the next couple of years. We’re still living in the bad vibes economy, and readers want to escape, not get their noses rubbed into How Bad Life Can Be. So I’m looking at beach reads, glamorous thrillers, historicals, fantasy and romantasy to be or continue to be hot in 2026.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: Julia, my daughter, who is a few years older than your kids, only reads paper books, preferably hardcover, unless she is desperate. So, yeah, I think "ebooks will kill print books" was probably a bit overblown. As was "reading is dead, no one can get published, etc., etc.," back when I was first contemplating writing a novel, mumble-mumble years ago.
Basically, the business model of publishing has never made any sense, no one has any idea what actually sells books, and all you can do is the best job you can of writing your book.
HALLIE: So that's our somewhat-insiders view of the state of publishing.
Turning it over to you, now... looking back over the year from where you sit, what's changing (or not) in book publishing??
(And for those of you who have access to the NY Times, here's a link to their 2025 autopsy of the book business.)
I can't say that I've noticed a great deal of change over the year . . . sadly, those miserable AI-generated books are still out there and I'm still having trouble understanding why anyone wants to read any of them . . . the "war" between ebooks and printed books seems to have leveled out and, yes, Julia, for many of us, it's the "make the print bigger" that is the major appeal of ebooks as near as I can tell . . . .
ReplyDeleteAll I know for sure is that as long as you ladies keep writing [and, please do keep writing], we will have wonderful books to read . . . . .
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Joan! And I agree, no one WANTS to read those AI-generated books but clearly someone wants to sell them.
DeleteJoan, every time I read in bed, I give thanks for that "enlarge font" option!
DeleteI read and listened to a lot of books last year. A lot. I bought books, took them out of the library and borrowed them through Kiindle Unlimited and Audible Plus.
ReplyDeleteI found books to read right here on JRW, from author interviews and the all-important "what we're reading days." I have found books to read from blogs ( XXOO Dru Ann), and on Facebook (that seems to know my taste), and from writers suggesting fellow authors' books, from publishers' newletters and author newsletters. .
I have read hard covers, paperbacks, ebooks and audiobooks. I have read mysteries, cozies, fantasies, romances, historicals,, biographies, thrillers, rom coms and romantasy.
I have attended author events and even one convention of authors and readers where I met writers in person.
But don't go by me.
thanks for the shout-out Judy. xoxo
DeleteOMG, Judy - but we WANT to "go by" you!!
DeleteJudy, I love your writing - you should start a blog or dare I say write a novel! Seriously.
DeleteJudy, I’ve found books to read from recommendations here on jungle reds.
DeleteJudy, think we were separated at birth! Between the state of the nation and unreliable news sources, I spent the last years reading too. (Except no rom-coms or romantasy). Books, fiction mainly, are trustworthy!
DeleteJudy, we want everybody to be you!!
DeleteYes, print size matters, even for people with good vision.
ReplyDeleteBooks with sprayed edges are pretty to look at, but I don’t own any. Keeping the cost down is more important to me. I would trade your sprayed edges for larger font size in a heartbeat.
I’ve said several times before that I don’t care about blurbs and you all should stop wasting your time on them. I must be in the minority on that. The synopsis telling me what the book is about is way more important to me.
I trust that trade reviewers know more what they are talking about than reader reviews; I try to weigh them both when trying to decide to read a book or not. Readers rate a book on dumb things that have nothing to do with the story or try to blackball a book before it even comes out because they disagree with some opinion the writer has expressed. On the other hand, many times I don’t look at any reviews until after I have read the book just to see if anyone agrees with the way I feel about it.
Word of mouth recs be they in person or on social media by authors and other readers are the best advertising.
Nice covers are always a plus.
Thanks, Brenda - good reminder that READERS (just like writers) come in all shapes and sizes and habits
DeleteBrenda, I agree on reviews. I rarely read any before I read the book. Occasionally, I am impressed by a blurb if it is written by an author whose work I already love, but I don't look for them. I absolutely want to know what a book is about before I read it, so a synopsis is important. Usually, books that show up everywhere are not for me. I want to read good stories. Some writers that sell lots of books, IMHO, don't really tell good stories. They leave me wondering what all the fuss was about.
DeleteYes, Judy I am often disappointed by books that have had all the buzz.
DeleteOnly times I would read a review is when I need to write a review and I want to be sure my words are different and original.
DeleteI never read blurbs, so I agree try not to spend too much time on them.
DeleteI read a lot of books mostly in the mystery, suspense, thriller categories. Reading is a mechanism for escaping the world that we are in. Authors are doing something right if people are reading more.
ReplyDeleteI prefer digital books due to my vision and arthritis, but do pick up a print book occasionally. I search for books by genre, then visually, then synopsis, but also by the author. I will try new books that are similar to what I enjoy.
Word of mouth is also key.
And moreover, Dru Ann, you spread the word about the books you like. It's a huge deal.
DeleteIt is a huge deal, Dru! I have found new-to-me authors through your blog. From your descriptions of books, I have also been able to decide if a book won't work for me. There are so many stories that I want to read, eliminating ones ahead of time is also valuable.
DeleteJudy xoxo
DeleteDru, I’m way older than you and for sure I need to be able to adjust font size in order to read as much as I do. I buy very few print books, and when I do, I sometimes find it too hard to read for more than short periods.
DeleteYes, you don't hesitate to spread the word, Dru and for that we authors are VERY grateful!
DeleteRhys, interesting that Lake Union doesn't make it to bookstores. I have ordered your standalones through my local indy with no problem, thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteMy kids in their late thirties read in all formats, including audio, and they read a lot. I don't think any of us care about sprayed edges.
If readers are looking for snappy comfort reads, I'm glad that's the kind of book I write!
There are definitely readers looking for comfort, but what comforts one reader may not comfort the next.
DeleteEdith, I have also found Rhys's books on shelves in independent bookstores and occasionally in Barnes and Noble, but not on big displays like her books deserve. I wonder if her books are more prominently displayed in mystery bookshops.
DeleteI’ve been able to order Rhys ‘ lake Union books through bookshop. And book passage books.
DeleteThe only trend I see is the rapid growth of Mount TBR, which is about to become so large and so heavy that it will tilt the angle of the Earth, plunging us all into the void. There are worse ways to go.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. If only.
DeleteVery interesting discussion! I appreciate all your thoughts and expertise. My book group met yesterday and as we talked about what to choose for upcoming books, we agreed that we loved to be transported to a different time and place with lots of details. I don't think we would want any "popcorn books"--we'd be more into a several day feast with all the courses and coffee afterwards. I do think our on-line existence is doing something to our ability to focus attention, so perhaps the future is more popcorn and less sustenance.
ReplyDeleteBook groups! That seems like an important "trend" left out by the Times in their summary.
DeleteI never lack for ideas of books I want to read, thanks in large part to this blog but other sources, too. I would never be able to afford to read at the volume I do without the public library. For that reason, I am still deeply troubled by Audible making its books unavailable to libraries. For me, that means that if Audible is the publisher of an audio book, the chance of me reading it goes down dramatically. Of the 72 books I read last year, probably 45 were audiobooks, and another six to ten, maybe, were great ebooks I found highlighted (and on deep discount) on BookBub. So if the audio version of a book is on Audible, the odds of my reading it even if it appeals to me go from one in 72 down to about one in 20 or less. (Mathematically that may not be quite right, but the point remains.)
ReplyDeleteSusan, that is very interesting to me. I did not know Audible published any audiobooks. I thought they were only a broker, a purveyor of others' wares. (Selden)
DeleteI don't know all the details, but I know there are a few titles I have run into that I was surprised my library didn't have and I was told at the library that Audible holds some kind of exclusivity on them and will not release them to libraries. So recently when I tried to find a book I wanted and the audiobook wasn't available, I immediately looked it up and saw the audiobook publisher as Audible Studios.
DeleteSusan, I wonder if that is because Audible is now owned by Amazon?
DeleteAudible has been owned by Amazon since 2008.
DeleteSusan, after reading what you wrote, I searched for Rhys's audiobooks through my library and they are not there. All, ALL of her written books are available. None of the audiobooks. SHOCK. Dismay.
Delete**Audible making its books unavailable to libraries** ?? How did I miss that. I completely agree, that troubles (more than troubles) me, too.
ReplyDeleteI think they are talking about Audible exclusive--books commissioned by Audible for Audible, or works for which they have some sort of exclusive contract.
DeleteJenn’s comment on influencers struck my feeble brain this morning. It reminded me that I read Frederick Backman’s latest book “Friends” (I like him), and went to Goodreads to see what others said – I am not giving you my opinion of the book. It was completely flooded with what seemed to me like 20-something influencers and their ‘based on their experience’ opinion. I felt it was all ohhing and ahhing and more to hear themselves talk than a comprehensive thought-provoking review. I somehow doubt that Backman’s 44-year-old experience was what was reflected in these reviews. I agree, that we are all allowed our own assessment of a book, and that it is based a lot on our age, our life experience, and so many other factors.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I am just old.
By the way, I love the ‘what we are reading’ days. It is my current source of new titles and authors to explore. Over the years, I have learned the various tastes of people on this blog, and often veer not toward those suggestions or maybe glom on to the book, but acknowledge that it will be a good book. I also like that we can voice and ask what books may follow in the path of an author that we like – and often it means a new author to me, who is now on my book shelf. That is the best way (in my opinion) to get a book review.
Margo, thanks for the "thumbs up" on our What we're reading Days... I love them, too.
DeleteAs usual, I'm reading this after everyone else is probably offline so I'm pretty sure I'm talking to myself. Margo, I like your approach, don't understand influencers and agree about people who have no idea what they are talking about making comments on something they have never even tried doing. I've had reviews from people who don't like my cozy because there is no blood, guts, gore and blatant sex! I've had reviews from people who only read sci-fi. A wise and very prolific crime writer named Melinda Leigh told me when I met her at Thrillerfest to STOP reading reviews. She even yelled at me a little bit!!! Although, I get a lot of good ideas of what to read from Dru's snippets. She doesn't give opinions, just options. I like that a lot. And I've read many books from the JRW posts.
DeleteI also love the “what we are reading” posts (from JRWs and all of the readers here). These lists get added to my ongoing wish/TBR list. Same with the shows and movies post here.
DeleteA read when life gets you down: James Scott Bell's FORCE OF HABIT, a series of six 15,000 word novelettes about Sister Justicia Marie, a nun with mad martial arts skills.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, how have I not seen this series before?? Sounds like what I need right now! Thanks!
DeleteThanks, Margaret! I'm a big James Scott Bell fan
DeleteJust got snookered by my first AI written book. OMG, it was so awful, so poorly written, I returned it to Amazon. Except, they didn’t want it back. Just issued a refund. AND where AI is concerned, they sell for the same price as author-written books. They are not cheaper. I’ve never returned a book, just pass it on but this one hit the garbage with a satisfying thud! So here’s my anti-snookered plan. I’ll listen to podcasts of trusted authors, promotion from same and from bookstores and most of all from writers I know are real live people who both write and read. Don’t trust what Amazon, etc, says. Word of mouth is the best one yet for finding a good book. Yay all of you and yay to bookstores, especially my fav -Poison Pen. They know their books. Oh, and the library. So many bookies out there we don’t need to fall for the gluck in Amazon. Go with authors you trust and still get them from Amazon. Only problem with that, new and very real writers. Just how does that work anyway. How do I find them? I really thought I was trying a new author, only to discover I was cheated.
ReplyDeleteOpps, that was me Paula B
DeletePaula B, I've heard of AI books being published on Amazon. Is there no disclaimer that the book was written using AI? Wow!
DeleteI also got snookered - mine was a guidebook for Carcassonne, France. Completely inane.
DeleteThis is so discouraging... because you guys are all smart and wary.
DeleteNot that I have any idea what makes the publishing industry work...
ReplyDeleteSprayed edges? - Don't care. Likely won't buy one that has it.
Blurbs still matter.
I don't know if I've ever read a book by an AI author. Certainly not by choice or design. And I never would knowingly do so. Perhaps someone should start a list of books known to be done by AI so we can all avoid them.
In person author appearances sure do matter to me.
I'm a Dead Tree Reader now and forever. I have no interest in any kind of e-book. Though for those who do use it, that's fine for them. My friend Ann is traveling the world and reading a ton of books all on her e-reader. But I would hate that for myself.
I don't know that I read many reviews these days. Not that I have anything against them, but if I'm planning on reading a book, I don't want to read a review beforehand. For those books I am up in the air on reading, a review from a blogger or industry trade or newspaper reviewer may help. And that's when I turn to them. And while I hope everyone reads any review I write, I can't say that I actually read reviews from other people who post on Goodreads, Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
I guess we are all part of the Sgt. Schultz School of Book Industry Knowledge...where we all can logically proclaim..."I Know Nothing!"
Like your friend Ann, I really love my e-reader for when I travel. It is great to never have to worry about whether I packed enough books and to not have the added weight to deal with, especially when flying. For sitting in my own home, I would prefer to hold a physical book in my hand. But my preference is a lot less strong than yours -- I will occasionally read an e-book at home if circumstances lead to it.
DeleteI'm with you, Susan - you can't beat an ereader for traveling, and for books my library doesn't have but I'm not sure I want to own the physical copy of, I often buy the ebook and read it on my couch.
DeleteI hope everyone reads your reviews, Jay! They are so well-written (and, since you seem to love my stories, they make me blush).
DeleteJay, there are times when my e-reader comes in handy. It's late, I don't have a book to read, I can go into LIBBY (the library app) and browse even if it's late on a Sunday night. Find something, download, bingo! Also handy when I come across an author I want to try. And handy when I can't hold a physical book to read, on occasion. But nothing will ever replace the pleasure of holding a book in my hands!
DeleteSusan, I don't travel much so the fear of not having enough reading material isn't that big a factor for me. Even when I'm out running errands, I have a book with me. And if I'm close to finishing a book that's coming with me, I add a second one JUST IN CASE.
DeleteEdith, I "seem" to love your stories. Come on now there's no seeming about it. I do LOVE your stories! Let blushing commence!
Flora - Since my TBR Pile has long since become my TBR corner of my room, there's no fear of running out of reading material.
Two more things – I love that Book Clubs make you read something that you would not otherwise. Each of the 10 members of our library bookclub has one choice from a list of about 300 titles a year. That means that we are exposed to various genres from each of our various tastes – witches and historical royalty are not my cup of tea, but I read them and am enlightened to the idea/story/format. Nobody likes mushy love stories and a cozy red bow on the end always is commented on. It is usually not a good review when the comment is “that was an Oprah book”! It does spark lots of conversation, and surprisingly the worse a book is, the more the comments on it. Many a title gets the review “I am glad that I read it, I did not like it, and I probably would not recommend it.”
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love when a new-found author means that you now have the opportunity to go back and read the entire legacy of books. I also love when that author is so good that I ‘have to apportion the books out to really enjoy them’ and means that going to bed tonight means I get to read one of my favourites. There will be no sleep tonight!
I also love that about my book club, and others have expressed that sentiment as well. I was reminded that I like non-fiction!
DeleteMy library sponsors several book clubs and now y'all are making me think maybe I should join one...
DeleteI don't know about trends, but just the other day I was reading about blurbing. According to the authors of the article, most authors just don't have the time to read the books, so they just make stuff up for the blurbs. No idea id this is true or not, but after reading a certain book, I have been known to say out loud, to my cats, "Stephen King really thinks this is the best book he's ever read?" They nod wisely in agreement with my skepticism.
ReplyDeleteI'm not looking for fancy covers or sprayed edges; I want a good story, well told. I would also prefer a simple type font used, no matter what the government is now saying. Those serifs make it harder on old eyes.
In praise of Stephen King, I have found when he does blurb a book it's a pretty good indication that I'll like it. But then with AI how can anyone be sure anyone is anyone.
DeleteI always worry about the demise of the Independent Book Seller. I am reminded of the late 90's when all the smaller bookstores were being gobbled up or put out of business by B & N and Borders. The release of the film "You've Got Mail" was a clear indication of the David & Goliath battle happening back then. Then a resurge happened; the independent owners fought back only to be threatened once more about 15 years ago. But despite all that I can't imagine, the dinosaur that I am, a world without a warm and welcoming independent bookstore to plunk myself and I love that the pushbacks on their part over the years have been both creative and cozy to keep that world of books inviting. Children's storybook hours, plump and cozy chairs, book signings (yay!) and lectures, coffee and goodies and other ways of keeping the world of books interesting and inviting. And yes, I have a B&N membership and and have had one for a long time but when I needed a last minute Christmas family gift (as in Christmas Eve day) it was my local independent bookstore who rescued me with a First Edition version of the board game "Life" despite a depleted inventory. And hopefully the book tours continue although I know it must be taxing and tiring at times for you Jungle Red authors. As we grow older we often find life's ever-changing pressures leaning hard on us and I am amazed at how you all still "take the show on the road" while dealing with everything else happening on a personal level. You are all remarkable.
ReplyDeleteBorders is now out of business and while they opened new Barnes and noble bookstores in some places, the local B&N closed.
DeleteAnd my "new" local B&N is tiny. Not the old multi-story bookstore with booksellers who know their stock and with an events room. Sigh.
DeleteWe have a great new B&N near us, and a fabulous new general independent store on our town square!
DeleteAbsolutely fascinating. I subscribe to The Times, but I missed this article. Grateful for the digital edition!
ReplyDeleteWish I knew what made the publishing world tick, but it's a mystery. As for AI written books, oh, dear. isn't there enough spam in the world already. I agree, though. I think they will fall to the ground like overripe fruit of their own accord. But before they do that, we readers will have to kiss a lot of frogs because their book blurbs are usually fabulous. All we can do as writers is to keep on writing, and reading.
Love that overripe fruit description, Kait!
DeleteMy husband gave me a Kindle for Christmas a couple of years ago and I took it on our 40th anniversary trip to France. Sadly, I hated it. I use a Mac laptop every day yet I couldn't figure out the controls or anything else well enough for it to become natural. (Besides, I like to read in the bathtub!) However both my husband and our daughter, 28, use a Kindle every day. Our daughter and a small group of former college friends share their Libby passwords and borrow e-books from big city libraries around the country. Give me a physical book, and these days, if it's a tome, let it be in paperback. My arthritic hands have a hard time holding something too heavy for too long. As for audiobooks, I listen to dozens, but limit myself to buying one a month with Audible. The rest I borrow with Libby from the NYPL. This is very handy in summer when I'm working outside on the farm, can listen for 8-10 hours at a stretch, and burn through a book in a day. I HAVE realized that if I really love the writing and want to study the technique, I have to get the book in print.
ReplyDeleteBeing in a book group has taught me that my taste in books is not shared by most people so I rarely pay too much attention to blurbs. When I read reviews on Amazon, I always read the top positive one and then check the 1 stars. Very often, as Brenda says, they are ridiculous, but occasionally I sense a kindred crotchet and steer clear. (Selden)
Oooh, Selden--sharing LIBBY passwords from different library systems? Hmm, I have friends in far places.....
DeleteFlora, apparently you have to set strict rules about only 1 book at a time, only 1 hold, etc., otherwise the real owner of the password might be crowded out. I am afraid I may be too greedy to share, especially in summer. I have to ration my holds as it is. (Selden)
DeleteSelden, so true. I'm pretty lucky--my own library system provides nearly everything I could ever hope to read.
DeleteI am lucky - between cons and author recs my TBR is so substantial that I never have to go looking for books, so reviews or influencers don’t matter. Other than my book club, I mainly read mysteries and sci-fi. There is a large sci-fi author community on Bluesky, and they are always talking about books they like, which contributes to me having 105 books on hold across 5 libraries.
ReplyDeleteI love being able to read on my phone, especially during travel. My home is full of physical books, so I try to be judicious in bringing new ones home, but that goes out the window in a used book store. I have also bought some physical books because of the special covers - Nnedi Okorafor’s DEATH OF THE AUTHOR (with sprayed edges) and THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone because I love the cover.
LOVE the time war book.
DeleteI remember when my book club members were all into their Kindles. But slowly over time they all started showing up with the actual books. Our local bookstore (been in business since the late 1800's) has never been busier. When I go in now there are hundreds of people milling around. For a small bookstore that is amazing to me. And I've seen books by all the JRWs on the tables front and center. (Yours seem to be very popular Rhys!) I ordered one of Lucy's Key West book and one employee asked if it was any good -- well now she has ALL Lucy's books on her ipad and every time she sees me she is excited about Haley's next adventure. I'm going in today to order Jenn's book - but down the road I can also get Jenn's books at Barnes and Noble which is on their shelves. I just wish more traditional book stores included used books for sale. That is the fun of shopping at Powell's in Portland.
ReplyDeleteSo book stores loaded with books are the in place to hang out it seems - at least in our small town. Next door, of course, to two coffee shops!
My library has a wonderful used bookstore in their basement... I'm a volunteer and it's amazing how many gently used recent books turn up.
DeleteOur library has a Friends of the Library volunteer group who run a used book store. They must do a great business as almost all our cities libraries had to close on Sundays due to budget cuts. But ours has enough $$ from the used book sales to stay open. It's a real blessing.
DeleteI have two loves in my life--archaeology and writing. Long ago, I looked at the publishing world and took my chances on full-time employment in the field of archaeology. I did keep writing, however, and came this close to getting a novel published in the late 80s-early 90s, as well as a movie script. But networking in the writing/publishing world requires persistent effort and presence and that was hard to do, given the time commitments of my career. Fast-forward to retirement, more time to write, no resources for doing the networking. So I'm self-publishing. What I'm most concerned about is the quality of my work, given how much junk is available through Amazon, for example. And now, the junk gets amplified through AI-generated slop! And it's weird to see established authors who consistently turn out excellent books, worry about whether there will be a next book for them with their current publisher. That has been eye-opening, Reds! As for finding new authors, new books--this blog and others has been a wonderful source of information. I also like fantastic fiction, which provides 'if you like this author/book, how about these?'
ReplyDeleteQuestion about publishing:
ReplyDeleteDid any of the jungle reds authors, including authors who commented here, notice if there’s a difference between American publishing houses and British publishers? Or are they similar? If anyone here had their books published in the Nordic countries, would they have been similar to American publishing companies?
Good question... I haven't got an answer ... I think my book contracts have all included distribution in the UK. I do't know from Nordic.
DeleteThank you
DeleteFascinating discussion! When I was writing my first book, 1992-93, and doing a lot of research on publishers/query letters/synopsis/etc, I used the Writers' Digest that was updated annually. It was a big, thick book, full of information. So many of the publishers I wrote to no longer exist, or were folded into bigger companies. Self-publishing was a big deal, but it meant having physical books printed, after having them formatted professionally, etc. I had to take delivery of boxes (and boxes and boxes, at one point, 5,500) of books from a printer. Luckily, we had a place to store them at the time. (And I am down to eight unsold books!)
ReplyDeleteE-publishing changed the game considerably, and there was a writer whose name I can't recall who made gobs of money by self-publishing his ebooks, then writing about and selling his ideas on how he did it. Does anyone remember him? Before the ebook formats, I sold many hundreds of my books via .pdf format on CDs and via email. One of the selling points was that .pdf files had a "read to me" feature. And they were way cheaper to produce, especially the electronic files, than actual paper books.
We have almost no room for more physical books, so I tend more towards ebooks for my personal reading, and have for two decades now. The convenience is too hard to resist, with instant downloads, a huge library in one small package, perfect font sizes and background lighting, and ability to read in the dark without disturbing anyone else. Steve still resists going that route, so he either goes to the library or he reads books (mostly nonfiction) that I buy for him. I do have one volume with sprayed edges, but it came to me as a gift, and isn't anything I would pay extra for. I bought one book each by Julia, Jenn and Rhys in Phoenix in November, though, so they could each autograph them for me! At the wonderful Poisoned Pen.
And we thank you for buying them, Karen!
DeleteCould the author you're thinking of be J.A. Konrath? He started out being traditionally published and fell for the "ebooks will destroy paper books" hype that was huge in the late aughts/early teens. He swerved to self-publishing and had a great deal of success at it.
Yes, thank you, Julia! He's the one. He got a little tiresome after awhile, to be honest.
DeleteGood question Anon.
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteI don’t understand the publishing industry either. I noticed when traveling from the airport in Canada that their bestsellers list is very different from the NYT best seller list in the USA. It’s interesting to see which books are on the best sellers list in the USA, Canada, England and the Nordic countries.
ReplyDeleteBlurbs are how I discover new to me authors.
Still read paperbacks. Once in a while I read a hardcover if it is not too heavy. I remember reading heavy books like the Harry Potter books when I was younger. I’m very picky about my reading. While I love cozy mysteries, I’ve found a few that are not my cup of tea.
Regarding influencers, I made this mistake of reading books that influencers raved about because I rarely liked the books. That was years ago. Now I decided which books to read based on the reading recommendations here on jungle red writers blog. And relatives/ friends would recommend books.
And I also go to conferences where I discover books that are not available in bookstores nor libraries.
Diana, your point about influencers is so valid. It's not that reviewers on Tik Tok are any better or worse than traditional reviewers; it's that you need to find voices who like the same sort of things you do. Back in ye olden days, when it was all print, there were newspaper or magazine reviewers whose tastes ran with mine, and I'd try out the books they suggested.
DeleteAnd of course, word of mouth has always been and will continue to be the BEST way to find a good book!
Julia, thank you. I do not use Tik Tok at all. Agreed about finding similar voices. Diana
DeleteI read 3+ hours a day, and I’m fast. That averages about three a week, more if short and/or light. And fewer when I find delicious long complicated tomes! Other than autographed copies from favorite authors, I no longer read print. I adore my Kindle for all the reasons listed by Dru and others above. The best part is ordering a sample and giving myself a chance to see if I’m intrigued. Then I either swipe left or right! Saves money much of the time. And sometimes I’m wrong and wish I’d thought twice before ordering.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to choose font size and type, lighting, and orientation is important to those of us with old eyes, arthritic hands, et al.
I read around 150+ book a year. I only write a review for the good ones, seeing no point in writing a bad one. I do always write short reviews for my favorite authors. And I always give 3-5 stars as deserved — whatever it takes to work the algorithms. I admire anyone with the talent to write and the ability to get published. You’re a fund of knowledge and nothing gives more people pleasure than a good book. Kudos to each and every one of you.
And thank you from the bottom of my heart
I'm with you Ann - for the most part if I want to read a book I load it onto my Kindle. Just because it's so fast and convenient.
DeleteWe love you, Ann!
DeleteSo much information and observations to absorb in this discussion. I find I really gravitate to hardbacks, even when my arthritis rears its ugly hands. I am grateful many are available in large print which can be quite helpful nowadays. I have an e-reader, but I only use it when it is the only format the library has available. Don't like audio books, still I am grateful my library provides them. I confess, I'd be lost without my library. It gives me access to NY Times, Wall Street Journal, various magazines and numerous reference and learning opportunities. I truly wish there was a way to promote our libraries more vigorously. They have so much to offer the community and at times like this in our country, they are vital to a thriving and educated population.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I digress. As for author tours, I really like them when I can attend. I am always awed by the knowledge and wisdom as well as the history many of them have lived. Now, when it comes to books, I am all over the board. A lot of it really depends on my mood. This past year I read non-fiction, young adult, picture books, graphic novels, adult fiction including mystery, thriller, adventure, science fiction, fantasy, cozies, romantasy, a few romance (really not my cup of tea, but I do read Jenn's books because...Jenn), several historical mysteries and a few African-American books. Do not read what our library classifies as Inspirational. So as you can see, I have a wide reading interest.
I don't always trust any review because they tend to be biased to what is important to the reviewer, not necessarily revealing plot fails or other issues. However, if all reviews from readers and professionals are positive, I'm gonna take a look.
I am totally sucked in by covers. I know that doesn't always bode well, but that doesn't stop me from picking up the book and reading the blurbs (yes, I'm a blurb reader) and synopsis. I still end up with some duds, but that's life. Do not do Amazon, period and full stop. I don't like the direction the company and its leadership are headed ( reminds me too much of Rob Hart's book The Warehouse) so I don't give them any business. -- Victoria
I totally pay attention to the books my local librarians recommend in their regular newsletter.
DeleteI read both paper and e-books, even though I started off years ago disparaging e-books. Live and learn. I understand paperbacks, the small ones, are on their way out. Trade paperbacks are in. That doesn't bother me as I prefer trade paper over mass market. Mass market paper is just awkward, especially if it's a fat book. Even though I grew up on those books.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten o the e-book bandwagon in recent years, too.
DeleteIt's still true: The only thing I understand about publishing is that I understand nothing about publishing.
ReplyDelete100%
DeleteNowadays, word-of-mouth is pretty much the only way I find new-to-me authors. I rely on JRW to inform me about what’s new out there!
ReplyDeleteThanks to arthritis I use Kindle and Audible more and more often. I’ve tried in vain to hold books in my hands in positions that aren’t going to exacerbate the pain. At least we have choices!
DebRo
I don't rely on book reviews, or even library or bookstore employees advice anymore. I go to my locally owned bookstore and library and study what is on display. I read the covers and read the first couple of pages. I find reviews often favor what someone else likes but is often different from my likes.
ReplyDeleteLibrarians and booksellers! They're among THE BEST sources for book advice.
DeleteI read anything and everything, in every format. And I confess that although I have an iPad and two Kindles, I often read on my phone...
ReplyDeleteThis made me laugh. I remember being in London with my sister in 2000, and she said, in a wondering voice, "You read WHILE BRUSHING YOUR TEETH!" Yes. I'm always reading. I wish I were more nimble with devices apart from my laptop. (Selden)
DeleteDo try to keep them out of the toilet, I said, speaking from experience.
DeleteFrom Celia: Im very late today and I apologize but I read Hallie's NYT article on publishing and then went down the rabbit hole of so many interesting articles to read and there the morning went!
ReplyDeletePlus there is a lot of fascinating comments here which I hope to get to later. However I know nothing about publishing other than books army financial downfall so it may be a good thing that I have no transport here in Sudbury so no way to get to my local bookstore. But I did buy hardcover books for the family at Christmas including ordering from Blackwells as recommended by Debs and everything arrived in great condition.
as for myself I prefer to read books though not too heavy. I read on my phone using the. Kindle app and it is my preferred bedtime reading method. However I have just bought a large lamp which can be fixed in several positions for bedtime reading so am hoping for more books in bed.With reference to Julia's cry out for big meaty books I'm currently reading The loneliness of Sonia and Sonny. It was very well reviewed last year and the language is beautiful but the story quite hard work but I shall keep pressing on.
You're a braver reader than I, Celia - I confess I need a book to do at least have of the work or I bail.
DeleteCan we have this conversation again periodically? It's so good to hear everyone's opinion. By the way, for Christmas I got at least six books from family, friends, and Santa plus a gift card to our indie book store which I will enjoy. That said, I can only read a few pages at a time right now due to impaired vision (horrible for a reader) but oh how I love a nice hard cover book. It feels like a gift every time I open it. Keep writing JWR's PLEASE. This Thursday, Reys Bowen book will be discussed at our library bookclub. Cannot wait. I loved Rose Arbor.
ReplyDeleteOH, Gerri - we hear you! I have a number of friends dealing with impaired vision. So difficult.
DeleteI was in the publishing industry for 52 years as a book editor, acquisitions editor, etc. and throughout those years heard, at any given time, most of these analyses of the publishing and book world. And here we all are—writing, publishing, and reading. Good books and writing are alive and well. And you all prove that every day.
ReplyDeleteI don't care about blurbs but get most of my recommendations for new authors from blogs like this one and Dru Ann's. I must give credit to the Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop who started doing author events in my area since I don't travel anymore. The first one I went to was with Kensington Publishing, and all but two were already my authors. I gained Darci Hannah from that con, and Roz Noonan from last year's. However, the Fetes that the bookshop put on with other publishers exposed me to many new cozy authors. Heather Weidner, Cathy Wiley, Daphne Silver, etc. So don't say that authors touring don't gain new readers. I'm still searching for some of their older books.
ReplyDeleteSO LATE! Yes, I read on my phone, too. It's fabulous.
ReplyDelete