A Friday post in May
I’ve been asked by many people in a variety of contexts how the publishing industry is doing right now. The answer depends, as it always depends, on whether you’re on the right side of the current trend. The industry is cyclical; trends come and go. An agent’s job is casting ahead, trying to see what a publisher might want in a few months, what a reader might want in a few years.
This week’s New York Times bestsellers list is: Romantasy in spots number 1, 5, 7, 12. Last week, 3 romantasy titles in the top 15. Emily Henry #2 this week; #1 last week. New books by the same names: James Patterson, David Baldacci. James by Percival Everett.
The consumer has the power to influence trends. Publishers buy what they see readers buy, or think that readers will want to buy in two years based on what they’re buying now. You can purchase the types of new releases you’d like to see more of in the world. (You could purchase more books, in general!)
I enjoyed this episode of Time to Say Goodbye, with Andrew Boryga, Jay Caspian Kang, and Tyler Austin Harper, on the internet discourse around ‘white male millennial novels.’
The publishing industry is working well for Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Spring highlights:
Mutual Interest by Olivia Wolfgang-Smith
People of Means by Nancy Johnson
Alligator Tears: A Memoir by Edgar Gomez
I Leave It Up to You by Jinwoo Chong
Liquid: A Love Story by Mariam Rahmani
Fresh Sets: Contemporary Nail Art Around the World by Tembe Denton-Hurst
And in two weeks, a reissue for the Brits: Available Dark by Elizabeth Hand
Recent posts, and encouraging posts:
