Getting Traditionally Published

Small nonprofit literary presses are adapting to NEA funding cuts by diversifying revenue, strengthening donor relationships, and clarifying their community missions. The crisis is forcing long-overdue strategic and organizational work.

Not only has the number of deals grown in 2025, but they are often multi-book deals in the six figures, with more publishers than ever competing for successful indie author series.

Learning from others and practicing patience while navigating the publishing industry led to a bright light at the end of the tunnel.

The tool, by software company Trilogy, helps agents and publishers evaluate unsolicited manuscripts—but are any likely to admit to using it?

A roundup of new publishers, imprints, and agents announced in 2025, as covered in The Bottom Line.

When pitching to agents or editors, the right comp titles help you articulate where you position yourself within a very competitive market.

Learn how one author’s publishing “fairy tale” hides years of struggle, with practical lessons to unlock your own resilience.

Jane’s reporting has shown that unknown authors still land memoir deals, a fact which gave one writer the will to persevere—and succeed.

I spoke to agents and publishers to ask how much evidence of AI use they’re seeing in submitted materials and why they ask about AI use at the query stage.

Authors and agents have long turned to university presses for nonfiction projects. They’re increasingly doing the same for literary fiction.

The publishing road is full of potholes and detours, even if you get a book deal. That’s why it’s important to find joy in the writing itself.

When agents and publishers refuse to reply to submissions, is it any wonder that writers end up seeking validation from scammy alternatives?

The founders of an aerospace company have launched Factorial Books, a new digital publishing company based in London.

The website directory to find publishing opportunities especially in the literary and nonprofit community has announced a grant program.

If you write material outside your agent’s wheelhouse, don’t be afraid of making an unagented pitch. Each success is a win-win for both of you.

A common anxiety for authors querying their debut is fear of someone stealing their story idea. Here’s why it’s not an actual threat.

Publishing industry professionals disagree on the definition of "women's fiction" but acknowledge its marketing value for readers.

While concerned about AI’s impact on publishing economics and discoverability, Keith Riegert remains optimistic about the enduring value of human-created content in an increasingly digital world.

When we try to write something because we feel we ought to, not because we want to, we stack the deck against ourselves.

Funding strategies by small presses include pre-sales campaigns, crowdfunding, subscriptions, memberships, and strategic partnerships.

Established authors have reported concerning changes in traditional publishing: editors increasingly demand complete manuscripts rather than accepting proposals. Response times have also lengthened dramatically, and ghosting has become common.

Submissions management is one area where AI assistance might stand to improve things, but its use remains controversial.

The mission: “publish books that illuminate and elucidate the central questions and fundamental ideas of modern science for readers.”

Within hours of an essay by S&S’s Sean Manning, major media outlets started calling up industry insiders to get their reactions.

Independent publisher Grove Atlantic has launched Atlantic Crime, a new imprint that will release 18–24 titles per year.