The editors of the well-respected literary journal n+1 discuss the last decade in book publishing. They get their facts right, but they write with an Eeyore literary lens—to be expected from a smart, against-Amazon type of publication. Their proposed solution for the current problems in publishing? Implement fixed book prices (some of Europe does this). Plus, publishers should pull their titles from sale on Amazon. Of this latter suggestion, they write, “It is not, as of now, a likely scenario, which makes it important to entertain.” If you can get through eye-rolling parts such as this one, it’s a well-done and expansive summary of the publishing industry for those who care about literature with a capital L.
Jane Friedman has spent her entire career working in the publishing industry, with a focus on business reporting and author education. Established in 2015, her newsletter The Bottom Line provides nuanced market intelligence to thousands of authors and industry professionals; in 2023, she was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World.
Jane’s expertise regularly features in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, NPR, The Today Show, Wired, The Guardian, Fox News, and BBC. Her book, The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition (The University of Chicago Press), is used as a classroom text by many writing and publishing degree programs. She reaches thousands through speaking engagements and workshops at diverse venues worldwide, including NYU’s Advanced Publishing Institute, Frankfurt Book Fair, and numerous MFA programs.
