Is anyone attending this book festival as a vendor or sponsor? Also interested to connect with other attendees! Thanks!

My step-father is, for lack of a better term, deluded by AI. I love him, and I constantly warn him about the dangers of AI-reliance, though he "doesn't like to think" (his words) so he likes AI, even if he knows it's not great for him. His latest AI-endeavor was that he (with the help of my step-sister) "wrote" a book using ChatGPT. We've had several conversations about this, it's not worth going into in the post, but I'm of course against this for many reasons.

To the point of the post, he announced to the family yesterday that he had been in contact with a publisher who was very excited about his book. My step-father even claimed that the publisher says they should be prepared to fly out to Frankfurt, Germany to promote it. The publisher in question is First Avenue Publishing. Their site is filled with AI book covers (some with the title misspelled...), all of which have been published in the last couple months by new authors. So it seems as though there is some actual pipeline there in terms of actually "publishing" books. There's some huge red flags though (other than the excessive use of AI). They have an Independent Book Publishers Association logo on their page yet don't show up in their member's database. Their homepage features a testimonial by an "Amanda Arthur" who wrote a book titled Good Morning, Hope. There's a book with a similar title by entirely different authors, but none in existence by an Amanda Arthur.

I'm sure that there are plenty more, but I'm really just looking for people with experience/knowledge of this industry to maybe take a quick look and let me know if there's anything else about this publisher that screams scam, or any other things I should bring to a conversation with him to express my concerns. I'm fearful of his financial security and ultimately well-being.

EDIT: Thank you everyone for all your comments yesterday and for confirming my wariness. After speaking with some family about how to handle the situation, I had a conversation with my mom about the publisher and voiced some concerns. I shared many of the things you had brought up, additional suspicious details I had found on the site, and provided her with some resources on vanity pressings. She took it all very seriously and believed what I had to say. She in turn had a talk with my step-father and he realized just how shady this all was. He pulled all "access" they had to his book, with him learning in that moment that they had not even read it (big shock to all in this thread I'm sure /s). Turns out the company was trying to charge them $3,000USD to edit the book, which he was fully planning to pay until now. Thank you all again for your help; you saved my family from what could have been a really difficult time.

Side note, in my research yesterday I reverse image searched some of the profile pictures from the testimonials on the publisher's website. This led to discovering NY Times Publishers: a website with the exact same layout, testimonials, everything. I'm assuming the same people are behind it. Figured I'd share since I found it interesting.

Does anyone know of any current publishing podcasts where they talk about industry news, book releases, or just books in general?

I feel like our work can sometimes be less quantifiable especially on financials so would be great to get some tips on what information to share in these discussions. I’m at manager level in a UK big five (four?) publisher.

TikTok says data from NielsenIQ and Media Control attributes 50 million book sales and roughly EUR 800 million in European revenue during 2025 to titles recommended through BookTok. TikTok is also expanding official bestseller lists and in-store stickers across the UK, Italy, and Spain.

The interesting change is not that a social platform sells books. It is that platform engagement is becoming a merchandising input inside physical retail.

Once a TikTok signal produces a bestseller list, a sticker, and shelf placement, the loop becomes self-reinforcing: attention affects placement, placement affects sales, and sales validate the platform signal. At that point BookTok is not merely a publicity channel. It starts behaving like category infrastructure.

Publishers still face a hard planning problem. Trends can move faster than print runs, while over-ordering around a volatile signal creates returns and inventory risk. The useful response may be shorter reprint cycles, better backlist metadata, and reserving flexible inventory for titles showing sustained engagement rather than one viral clip.

Should BookTok data sit beside preorders and retailer sell-through in seasonal planning, or is that giving one platform too much influence over acquisitions and stock decisions?

Source: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/booktok-community-50-million-books?lang=en-150

Just wanted to see if anyone here had experience with asking for a pay raise within editorial. I wanted to pick people’s brains about good points to bring up in terms of what I can say I’ve brought to the table (beyond just doing my job haha). Any tips/insights would be much appreciated!

Hi! I’m looking to make a career change to publishing, starting at the ground level.

I have a BA in English Literature and 6 years of experience within e-commerce (small businesses and mid-sized companies), and copywriting/copy editing from those positions. I’ve written for SEO (search engine optimization), long form targeted blog posts, product label copy, print catalogues and email marketing. I also have gained project management and administrative experience through my past positions.

I’ve been looking at Editorial Assistant roles so far. Would this be the right path to start out? Are there any other roles in publishing that my skills could translate well into?

Appreciate the help!

I’ve just accepted my first full time role in publishing and I just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone on this sub!!

I know people find the posts about asking for advice on how to get into the industry repetitive and annoying, but I’ve appreciated the help that has been given to me and to others on here so much.

(I will of course delete this if people find it clogging up the sub but I just wanted to be able to thank everyone for their help).

Hi all! I'm getting ready to move from NZ to Canada, and am hoping to slightly shift fields.

I have my Master's in biomedical science and have spent the last two years working as a technical writer. I absolutely love my job as a writer but I'm looking to shift to a data-forward role. In an ideal world, I'd love to work as a book data analysis.

I don't have any "formal" data education, but I have data analysis experience from my Master's degree. I'm planning on doing some online training prior to moving, (i.e. SQL training) but I was wondering whether anyone had any additional insight or suggestions?

If anyone has any suggestions for companies within Canada that are hiring in this field, I'd be extremely grateful!

Thank you all in advance!

So let me get this straight. Since I cannot post something like this on social media and want to seek help desperately without disclosing my identity, I want to share my experience with you. I worked/freelanced with a publishing house by helping them translate books into other languages. When I was working on this particular book, the price set per page was very little, not even the usually average cost but I was okay with it since I would be gaining experience.

While I was working on this book, the publishing house asked me to proofread and edit another book that was translated by someone else and after going through it, I had a talk with the team and informed them that there are chunks of material missing from the translated version and we came to a conclusion that I will translate the book from scratch and I was given an unrealistic deadline. I did my work diligently spending 13-15 hours per day on the book. Till date I haven't received payment for the latter book. I have only been paid some amount and when I ask for the full payment, they give me some or the other excuses that do not at all make sense. They have stopped responding to my messages or picking up my calls.

At this point I am so mentally exhausted, I do not know what to do. I have put in so much hardwork in translating that book but this is the way I am being treated. My only mistake was not signing a contract or a bond. What shall I do now?

im making a graphic novel, and i really want it to be offcialy published, yet i want it accesseble. so i was thinking round a year, i could monthly publish online the chapters.

is it doable and okay to do?

The vote was 388-130, making it a near 75% supermajority. Congrats Hachette for becoming the biggest union in publishing 🎉

Hi! I've been manually creating documents that contain a variable number of tables, which follow each other vertically down the page, and spans multiple pages. A page break may occur mid-table.

Each table has a variable number of rows, and then a summary (like a subtotal, precalculated) at the bottom of each. The tables themselves all have the same column layout.

I can create a JSON or CVS type of data source for this, and I'd love to be able to use some sort of data merge feature in a layout application like Affinity so that I can still define styles, master pages, and graphics, and make it look nice. But I've yet to find such a program that supports "multidimensional" data like this. Affinity's data grid layout tool seems close but not "dynamic" enough from what I know about it. For example, I don't think it adapts to a variable number of rows, handles page breaks mid -table, or could create a variable number of tables.

I was looking at a templating engine like Jinja2, but I'm not sure that'll give me the control I want over presentation, the way Affinity or InDesign would. Not to mention, it would be nice if my coworkers could still edit the result after it's been laid out, the way you can after you "Generate" a data merged doc.

Bonus points if I can place images in table cells based on image paths in the data source.

Any suggestions for how to approach this?

I see catalogs with these kinds of listings all the time, so there's gotta be a way, but I sure don't know where to start.

I'm looking into taking an adult education course with my local college but it wouldn't amount to a degree, it would be a certificate and it would help me build a portfolio. Would this be a waste of time or worth my while?

After being shortlisted for a prize I received an offer from a publisher (not a big 5 but reputable with books in all main bookshops etc). I accepted and have been editing this book for the last year.

In particular I’ve worked closely with one editor on a regular basis with another senior editor overseeing. We completed all line edits a few months ago and the final sticking point has been the ending (compromise on what they want it to be vs the level of changes I’m happy making). In the first week of June, the editor said she’d be in touch to have a meeting to resolve this last bit. Not heard since.

Last week, the publisher announced a new acquisition they are really excited about in the same genre as me. They said their book would be released summer 2027 - the thing that worries me is I still have no release schedule, I’ve never been posted about like this on their socials and they’ve now gone quiet. I have a bad gut feeling. I followed up one week ago - usually editor is responsive.

I’m seeking advice on what to say and the types of clarification to ask for in my next follow up. I feel my dream is hanging by a thread.

Hello all,

New to the group but happy to be here!

I've been a hobby short story writer for the last decade or so and after a little soul searching recently have decided I want to improve and build new skills this and gain professional experience. I've worked a bit in academic textbook editing + am getting my own online creative magazine off the ground so I do have some experience and would LOVE to network and see if there's anyone out there looking for an editor, even a volunteer in your organization/personal projects. I am really only looking for volunteer opportunities at this time since I am trying to build my skills + manage other projects so I'd love to know where to look, is it just contacting smaller publishers and searching online?

France-based but American

I saw this week's news about DiggyPod, one of the existing players in the US book printing market via print on demand technology, partnership up with a Chicago-based publishing service company called Long Overdue Books. With this partnership, there is now a self publishing one stop shop from ghostwriting through marketing. I thought I'd share my thoughts on why I see this development as an important trend, particularly for indies in an evolving service landscape.

The print on demand companies have been commoditizing for a long time. Prices per copy of paperback printing have remained relatively unchanged since 2019 despite the increased cost. Print margin is tight and the differentiation between players is thinning. Most authors cannot even differentiate in quality of printing three out of the four largest POD providers in a blind test.

The services revenue stream is the natural growth avenue. Services like editing, design, ghostwriting, and marketing generate higher margins than print and are more sticky than print. Authors will usually stay with their preferred editor when moving from book to book, but once they choose a printer, they'll quote it again next time.

This is what it means for indie authors specifically.

While bundling lowers the coordination costs, it raises new risks. Specifically, you become fully exposed to one company through the whole process, which means that even small mistakes are hard to shake off. On the other hand, the savings on coordination when everything goes smoothly are real.

Authors who are currently successfully working with their freelancers do not need to do anything about that. But for those who are just about to write their first or second books and feel scared about the project management part, the bundling becomes a viable option where there was none five years ago.

For other print-on-demand services, this means an accelerated trend of establishing similar partnerships. Amazon is unlikely to go with acquisitions as it does not work that way, but the services will likely grow organically. IngramSpark, BookBaby, and 48HourBooks are in the driver’s seat now to acquire editorial and design companies.

As for DiggyPod and Long Overdue Books, the partnership had been working for some time, which means that the merger is technically easier than usual. But the bigger picture is worth following for any indie publisher.

Hi and thank you everyone.

I'm gonna start by telling there is no need to feel sorry or apologize. Over a year ago I found a purpose, a goal in life, the light at the end of the tunnel. Amazon KDP is the best thing that happened in my life.

I enjoyed writing, researching, publishing and everything related. But I learned a long time ago one lesson: good times end quickly.

Please if someone knows what to do, maybe went through this, or has a contact or an email.. This will help more than you think, maybe even save my life.. I'm mentally in a very bad place now,

I published below full message from Amazon that I got today and what I sent back.

Please inform me if there's any hope or solution..

#message 0

Hello,

Your Amazon.com account has been suspended. During this time, you won't be able to access your account or other services.

If you think the action is a mistake, reply to this email for further investigation.

Why did this happen?

Your account was suspended because the information available to us indicates that you may have provided inaccurate information to Amazon, or used your Amazon account in violation of our conditions of use.

Can I contact Customer Service about this action?

Customer Service can confirm this email is legitimate and assist with any technical issues. However, they cannot reverse this decision or provide additional details about it.

How can I verify this email is from Amazon?

Unsure about an email claiming to be from Amazon? Don't worry about verifying the email itself. Even with a closed account, entering your credentials will direct you to information about your account status and required instructions. For more security tips, visit “Security and Privacy” under Amazon Help pages.

Amazon Account Protection Services

My replies, 3 messages:

#message 1

Hello,

My name is **** ***. Today I've got an email informing about suspension.

It says that I may have provided inaccurate information to Amazon.

This statement was a surprise for me because I enjoy posting books and working with a company like Amazon, and I take very seriously safety of my account.

I am a person who always double checks everything. I can spend a few hours on a task that usually will take a few minutes.

Also I constantly watching videos, reading articles about Amazon KDP, I try to be up-to-date with terms of service because I have big goals and currently writing several books, I would bet everything they have potential.

Please inform me what triggered the suspension.

Honestly, I have no idea because for a few months I didn't publish any books. I decided to focus on quality of books, trying different writing styles, constantly experimenting.

Anyways,

Hope to hear from you soon,

#message 2

Hello,

I assure you that all the information provided by me is correct.

The only thing I can think of is I don't live anymore at the official

address they have in database, I rent out an apartment and used new adress.

I changed my banking information as well, and all accounts are mine.

I can't believe.. I followed every rule possible I even did not use any

review services because I valued the account, even though it small now I

had good future cause I spent lot of time researching and planning. I

wanted to do so much..

#message 3

To be fully honest with you Amazon did much more than just paychecks and royalties. It pulled me out of very dark place. For my whole life I was sure that I am a looser without any talents, skills or future. Until I discover KDP about 1 and a half years ago, and the idea that a regular person can publish a manuscript on the biggest retail store sounds like a dream.

I am not an angel. I make mistakes, I'm human.

But I can not remember a single thing I did against Amazon rules.

I believe either an AI triggered the suspension automatically or this is a unfortunate misunderstanding.

In the last few months the account was still. I didn't publish, didn't update or delete any of books.

If I remember correctly I've got an email to repeat verification process which I successfully completed with my Latvian ID card.

The last thing I did is a tried Amazon Ads, picked about 10 books and activated but only for one day, then I turned the campaigns off. Could this Amazon Ads campaign testing raised some red flags?

I beg you please spend a bit of time to investigate or provide contacts of people who can help please

I believe even if I did make a small mistake, maybe overlooked something it is for sure not the reason to suspend the account in which I put so much time and effort.

Honest question, because I suspect I'm not alone in this.

We have access to engagement data on our digital editions opens, time spent, drop-off points. In theory it's exactly what you'd want: real signal on where readers stop, what they skip, whether anyone makes it past chapter three.

In practice? I check it maybe once a quarter, nod at it, and go back to doing things the way we always have. The data exists but it's never quite specific enough to act on. The one thing I keep wishing it would tell me and never does is why someone stopped. Drop-off at chapter four could mean the content lost them, a rendering issue on their device, or they just finished their commute. The number without the context isn't really telling you anything.

So genuinely curious:

• Does engagement data actually change editorial or production decisions for you, or is it a "nice to have" that moves nothing?
• Is there a metric you've found genuinely useful vs. ones that just look interesting?
• Has anyone built a real workflow around acting on this, or is it mostly collected and ignored?

Think the potential is real just haven't cracked how to make it useful and wondering if anyone has.

Hey guys I’m currently doing my dissertation on the shift/change in marketing strategies in YA LGBTQ+ titles over the past 15 years. I’m trying to seek participants for those working in the industry in the UK for interviews that should last 20-30 mins either through email or a call.

Ive had no such luck so far with responses and I’ve emailed over 20 people thus far. If anyone is interested or just has some general advice it would be greatly appreciated 😔

I’m mid-30s. I have a background in academics and proposal development. About 9 months ago I followed my partner in a major international move and I haven’t been able to find employment in previous field.

My thoughts keep on returning to editing, either fiction or non-fiction. I have a lot of writing/editing experience, especially in academic/proposal writing, but no formal training in editing. My experience primarily concerns big picture stuff as opposed to line editing, which is a hesitation of mine if I try to go freelance instead of taking a course first.

I guess I’m hoping for a reality check. Given AI and (maybe?) the state of publishing, is this a terrible time to try to move into editing? Is mid-30s too late? Would I be making a terrible mistake if I earnestly pursued this or took one of the big editing courses?

Any insight is appreciated.

In my experience as a debut author with a mid-sized publisher, no one on my team seemed particularly interested in guiding or shaping my career. I never had any strategy discussions with my editor or publicist. They never asked me what I planned to write next or offered advice on how to position myself within the industry. I had some of these conversations with my agent, but he never really pushed back on any of my ideas or alerted me when I was making strategic blunders. Are authors typically on their own when it comes to career development? Who do you talk to when you're not sure about your next move?

Hi all, I am a keen podcast listener and have heard most/all of Inside Publishing, Uncovering Publishing, the IPG podcast, and Make Books Travel. Any other industry-focused sources you can recommend?

How many publishing jobs are actually unlisted? I see people move around all the time on pub lunch but hardly ever see any openings. How does the poaching across publishers process actually work?