The publishing landscape — I found a map!

I love maps. Maps of hiking trails. Maps of caves. Google Earth. I like to see how big things fit together. Lately, I’ve asked myself—is there a map to the publishing landscape?

The industry is always in flux. There are many myths, misunderstandings, and assumptions. I found this wonderful guide to understanding the publishing industry as it stands today. I want to share with you—or anyone who will listen to me, even just barely—what I’ve found.

The PDF that you see below shows an outline of the Key Book Publishing Paths. I love it. You can download it here: janefriedman.com/key-book-publishing-path/ Created by Jane Friedman, who is my new hero.

The Key Book Publishing Paths: 2021–2022

I’ve read this and re-read it trying to see where I’ve been fitting in with my books. Small press, Assisted, and Hybrid publishing is a lawless land. Every publisher has a different take on how to do it, what they represent to the author on how they do it, and what they actually do. To that, it depends on what type of author you are as to what you need from your publisher. So researching and understanding the lay of the land is paramount.

This past month I’ve spoken with DIY authors who own all of their rights and show up everywhere with a table, a stack of their books, and an effervescent smile. I’ve published with a small press and with a big publisher (textbooks), done the DIY path, and have stuck my toe in the water with securing an agent.

This chart is helping me, and I hope it will help you too. What do you want from your publisher? What do you want for your writing career? I’ll post more as I think on these things.

warmly,

…tina