Subscribe to Jane’s publishing industry newsletter, The Bottom Line

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s in this newsletter?

I devote hours each week to reading, researching, and analyzing what’s happening in the publishing industry. Then I share the best of what I find to help you better navigate the business.

• I step back from the noise and report on what matters—what might have a long-term effect on your business and decision making.
• I explain, if I can, why it is happening and what it might mean.
• I show how things are trending and identify patterns.
• If feasible, I predict what could happen next.

No clickbait, no outrage. I offer no-nonsense industry analysis and reporting based on my experience working in the publishing industry since the 1990s. I make my biases clear and offer viewpoints other than my own. About half of my subscribers are people who work inside the industry (literary agents, editors, publicists, marketers, distributors, and service providers). The other half are authors who pursue writing as a profession and seek trend analysis and business reporting that puts the author first.

If I have a bias, then it’s this: How do industry changes affect authors—and what should authors do to protect their interests? Learn more in my transparency statement.

Is this the same as your paid newsletter, The Hot Sheet?

This is the relaunched and reimagined version of The Hot Sheet, which has been continuously publishing since 2015. All subscribers to The Hot Sheet are now business-level subscribers to this newsletter. Like The Hot Sheet, this newsletter releases on Wednesdays, around noon Eastern Time. Occasionally I do take a break or adjust delivery on account of vacation/holidays.

Will this newsletter (free or paid) help me get published?

Probably not. While I do offer continuous updates about new literary agencies, publishers and publishing imprints, and related opportunities, this is a small percentage of the newsletter. I offer this information more to indicate who and what is growing, to illustrate trends, and to help all writers understand where their next publishing opportunity might come from.

I suggest you peruse this list of places to research agents or publishers if you’re seeking an agent or publisher. At year’s end, I do round up all announcements of new agents and publishers, then make it available for free. Here’s an example.

Can I get a free trial?

There is not a free trial option. The best thing to do: Subscribe to the free version to see if you like it, since it includes the same content. My in-depth business analysis is only for paid subscribers, but you’ll see a preview in the free version. You can always upgrade later to the business level.

Do you have a searchable archive of all content you’ve published?

Yes. If you become a business level subscriber at the $79/year rate, you can search everything published in my paid newsletter, since 2015, on this site.

Do you offer discounts?

Yes, I offer discounts through many writers organizations, including Authors Guild and the Alliance of Independent Authors, among others. Check with your organization to see if a discount is in place. If not, have your group’s leadership reach out to me to arrange a member discount.

Do you offer bulk rates or group subscription capabilities?

Yes, email me to inquire.

Do you accept advertising?

Issue sponsorships are available. Learn more.