How to Stay Tuned into the Publishing Industry

As a writer, it may seem that your energy is best spent on creating, drafting, and revising your project. While we recognize how important it is to dedicate time to your craft (and have shared tips on how to optimize your writing time), you should also remember to consume as much as you produce and listen as much as you write.

Not only will this help you find new ideas and inspiration for your own project, it can also help bolster your credibility as an aspiring author. By tuning into the publishing marketplace and learning what is—and isn’t—flying off the shelves, you can improve your own writing and prove your dedication to crafting a timely book to an agent or publisher.

Here’s just a few tips to guide you on where and how you should keep in touch with the landscape of book publishing:

First, consider getting an account with Publishers Marketplace or QueryTracker. Publishers Marketplace is one of the most comprehensive publishing resources available, used by writers, agents, and editors alike, keeping users updated with the current events of the publishing world. You can use it to assess what books are doing well in your particular genre and include them as comps for your own book. It’s also a great way to learn more about the intricacies of book deals as well as which particular editors and imprints could be best suited to your category, which can help you advocate for yourself when it’s finally time for your book to be auctioned. If you don’t want to pay for a subscription, QueryTracker is a great free database for matching aspiring authors with agents.

Second, follow your role models. Identify people in the industry—from bestselling authors to editors at publishing houses—that inspire you and actively consume their content. Pay attention to how often they post, and where. If they’re an author, do they promote their projects via blog posts? Do they go live on Instagram or host virtual events that engage the audience? How hands-on is their book promotion? If they’re an agent or editor, does their online presence suggest anything about what books they’re looking to acquire? Identify what attracts you to these voices in the industry and take notes on them—you will be better equipped to write a stellar, personalized query letter when the time comes.