Ten things I've learned about the publishing industry...
And all the articles you might have missed in 2025!
Hi everyone,
We’ve almost made it to the end of the year! I hope all of you reading this have something to be grateful for in 2025, and something to look forward to in 2026. To round off the year on The Honest Editor, I wanted to look back at some of the posts that you might have missed, as well as share the top ten things I have learned from my years working in the publishing industry. I hope you find them helpful!
Next year The Honest Editor will continue, and I’d love to hear from you. What topics would you find most useful for me to cover? What burning questions about the industry have you always wanted to know? I have some amazing interviewees scheduled for the new year, so make sure you subscribe today so as not to miss a post. Feel free to post any comments about what you would like to see below, or send me a direct message if you prefer.
Some things I’ve learned so far in publishing…
Sometimes, really brilliant books don’t sell, and not-so-good books do. This comes down to many different factors: timing, the market, your editor, your sales and marketing teams, your hook, and LUCK. It’s not always fair, and it can feel hard at times.
Most people are working really hard behind the scenes. Publishing is not a 9-5 job; most people in the industry work fairly long hours, reading manuscripts in their free time, and often spending weekends editing. Your publishing team should want you to succeed, and a good editor will communicate - just because it feels like things have gone quiet, it doesn’t mean nothing is happening.
The retail landscape is HARD. Booksellers who will promote your book in their independent shops are brilliant. The supermarkets can shift very high volumes but their space is very limited, and they are very risk averse.
Reading is reading, no matter what format you are doing it in. There is a national literacy crisis - let’s not quibble over whether audiobooks count. They do, and your book sales matter across audio, ebook, paperback and hardback - don’t get too focused on the physical.
Ghosting does happen. But it shouldn’t. If you’re consistently not hearing back from your agent or editor, think about making a change. This is your career: you deserve an email back.
Trends come and go, and genres grow and recede. At the moment, Romantasy and the Science Fiction & Fantasy market in general is in a period of huge growth, but it wasn’t always the way. Crime always sells to a level, but there’s a lot of competition. Romance is in growth, but for years it was discarded. Write for the market if you genuinely want to and feel as though you can, but don’t feel you have to. An excellent book usually does find a home eventually.
I loved this piece about older women in publishing by Lesley Kara. As an industry, we need to remember to listen to readers and writers. (And vice versa!)
Backlist isn’t a negative word. If your book is backlist now, that does not mean it’s chance is over! Books resurface all the time, and as publishers we should be doing more of this. Your book could have a boost years after publication, and your window for finding readers does not have to only be three months long.
In commercial fiction, you do need a hook. We’re not just saying that - in the traditional commercial fiction space, it really is important. Spend some time thinking about yours, and have some fun with it.
Overnight success isn’t really a thing. I know SO many writers who have changed names, changed genres, worked on their books for years, drafted and redrafted - only to suddenly be seen as an overnight success. Nope…they just didn’t give up! And you shouldn’t either!
And here is what you might have missed since the Honest Editor launched:
Editorial Topics
Why the submission process takes so long
What really happens in an acquisitions meeting
How the editorial process works
How to respond to edits on your book
What do publishers do all week?!
Sales topics
All about book sales and bad track records
What authors can do for themselves
The book covers process - if this is of interest to you, I am speaking at an event at the Stratford Literary Festival in November, in conversation with an illustrator and another author, and we’ll be discussing book jackets in much more detail! Tickets here.
Book titles and how publishers come up with them
To recontract or not to recontract
Book pricing, retailer space, and promotions
All about comparison titles (comps)
The bestseller charts and how they work
What really happens at the Frankfurt Book Fair?
Mental health topics
How to build back from a disappointing publication
Dealing with rejection as a writer
Interview Series
Independent bookselling with Tom Rowley
The publicity perspective with Alison Barrow
Literary agenting with Sue Armstrong and Nelle Andrew
Foreign rights with Melis Dagoglu
Being a book doctor with Gillian Stern
Literary agenting with Juliet Mushens
Book reviewing with Nina Pottell
All about US publishing with Sarah Cantin
Literary scouting with Rosie Welsh
The author perspective with C.L. Taylor
Getting a job in publishing with Catriona Paget
Your own questions answered honestly
Your publishing questions answered honestly!
When agents leave and editors don’t like your books - more of your questions!
Finally, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported this Substack this year! Special thanks to the paid subscribers who help me keep this going. I appreciate you!
Wishing you all a very happy Christmas, and a wonderful new year. Make this the year you write the book you’ve always wanted to. Think how happy you’ll be in a year’s time if you do!
Phoebe x
Merry Christmas Phoebe! Thanks again for another fascinating article. I have a few questions:
1) If social media doesn't meaningfully increase an author's sale, what can authors independently do/how can they partner with marketing & publicity if they're not the top priority book? How does marketing and publicity vary across targeted audience?
2) In the last few years, has the industry gotten better at supporting diverse/marginalised authors?
3) There are a lot of special edition books with beautiful covers and spines. What do you think will be the next big thing so books continue to feel special?
4) Since editors are under a ton of constant pressure, is there anything authors can reasonably do/be aware of?
Hi Phoebe! Thank you so much for all the wonderful articles! If it interests you, I’d love to explore more self-publishing and freelancing next year – I believe the universe is pushing me towards the freelance path in 2026! Happy holidays 🩷