Everything I've learned about the traditional publishing industry reinforces my perception that its ancient business model is fundamentally broken. It's designed to find superstars and profit off them for 95% of the company income. Everyone else (internal and external), is expendable. The model also assumes an environment of scarcity, when the reverse is true.
You are 100% correct. Consider, for example, the list of '100 best reads.' Most of the books on that list few people have actually ready. What I mean is, sales of a book do not equal readership. How many that purchased the book read it? And traditional publishing houses do not seem to have a lot of discernment. For example, how many gay vampire books do we really need? Are there that many people that read all the different terrible author's takes on this so beaten to death meme? Same with dystopian society saved by a young girl. I could go on and on but cannot agree with you more. I'd love to get traditional published to get my name out there but after so much effort trying, I simply self publish on Amazon.
What you just said reminds me a little bit of the music industry too. They have the same problem. I mean Prince talked about the exact same thing. Maybe it's an arts industry issue all together.
Just avoid hybrid publishing, it was a term for writers who published traditionally and self-published, but vanity publishers took over the term. You won't own your brand.
@@bodine219 Welcome. Even if the subsidy press has a good reputation, your hands are tied about what promotion you can do. There are much better ways to spend your money.
@@jankyfluffy898 Well, most of them won't do any substantial marketing for you and since you are paying for their services (yes, pay-to-play, it's the old vanity with a new name), they really don't take over your brand. You can still create and build a brand as you have much more say in this scenario, HOWEVER, you have the most say when you self-publish. Which is why I've done it for my last 5 books and will never look back.
I've also noted a fairly significant shuffle of literary agents, now working at other agencies and a few new start-ups. While I'm still querying for a few projects, I am glad I ended up self-publishing. Thank you for the insight.
Everything I hear from the publishing industry tells me (A) Perfect your manuscript before ANYONE sees it. (B) Be sure your work has that extra added "punch" to impress even the most casual of readers. (C) Build your own following before anyone in the industry sees your MS, because publishers want three things -- (1) A great idea, (2) Beautifully written, (3) from a well-known author. Essentially, the publishing industry wants the author to do everything EXCEPT take credit for the success of the book. They want Stephen King to waltz through the front door and drop a 7-Part series in their lap, then thank them for printing it. Facetious, maybe, but close to the mark. EDIT - I didn't intend to make it sounds so bleak, but I think I did. I suppose it's just as fair to publishers to say that the competition is so great among writers that we only have an opportunity if we bring our very best. That sounds more positive.
When I was trying to get my first novel published I had an indepth conversation with a publisher who gave me his take on how the industry works. He said let's say a famous footballer agrees to play a charity football match, all the players are in fancy dress, he decides to go as Little Bo Peep, and he is abducted by Aliens from the football pitch. Publishers and agents will want anything to do with footballers who are aliens, footballers who cross dress, aliens who are footballers, aliens who cross dress, alien invasions thwarted by football teams, and alien invasions.
While I do think publishers are looking for authors to do more and more while they simultaneously do less and less, it is absolutely not true that you have to be “well known” to get a book deal outside of the non-fiction space. So many debut authors are acquired without having a big platform, or one at all.
It can definitely seem that way, haha! But remember, debut authors are debuting--that is, they don't always have a platform or audience to rely on, so they have to impress readerships with the power of their story! And many debut authors get published every year without a preexisting platform. The industry loves bringing in new authors, because they will always find and bring in potential new audiences. Thanks for sharing!
As a fairly new editorial assistant at an indie publisher, we do things very different from the traditional model, and I’m thankful for that. I actually get to edit books! Yes, I have my admin work, but it’s reasonable, and I have a kind, supportive team that understands the importance of a work-life balance. Indie publishers are sometimes underrated, but they realize the old, traditional model doesn’t work anymore, and they instead adapt and continue to thrive in the changing industry with every passing year. Best of luck to my fellow editors and debut authors!
I'm so, so glad you're working in a supportive and engaging environment! I hope more imprints move towards this model as much as possible. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Alyssa, I just stumbled onto your channel and decided to subscribe after I watched this video. I think one of the things you didn't hit on here is that self-publishing is growing in a way that editors can now open their own personal editing businesses online and don't need the crazy work schedule of a major publishing house. I know several editors who are doing this and they couldn't be happier. Just like self-publishing they are now in charge of their own editing businesses in how much to charge and how much time to spend working. With self-publishing growing each and every day, more self-publishers are looking for good editors and book marketing expertise experts online. Good video. I'll try to binge-watch your other videos in the next few weeks. BTW, I'm more than happy being a self-published author. I don't regret it at all that I didn't traditionally publish.
I must say that hiring some of these freelance professionals is a bit risky. I have had some shaky experiences with them like: proofreaders who missed 50 words that were spelled incorrectly or editors that missed the same type of errors.
Hi Alyssa: It sounds very much like the TV writing world. When I was writing in rooms in the 90s our assistants (many fresh out of Ivy's, no less) were doing all the grunt work when what they wanted to do was get a shot at writing a script. In all my years writing, I think I saw it happen once. Maybe twice. Fast forward to now, where my daughter is a writer's assistant in TV rooms and of course is the lowest paid one there, working, long, hard hours. At least WA's are now represented by IATSE and are union positions, which has improved pay, but not by much. And similar to the publishing world, where you have junior editors making not enough to live, you now have Writer's Guild of America pro staff writers locked onto staffs where they now only produce 6-8 episodes a season (we made 22 in my day) and only being paid as such, while also trying to live in LA where a starter home--starter--is a million dollars. It's pretty clear there is a labor-equity problem, and it 's in your industry as well as in mine and now my daughters. Thanks for posting this--good luck to you!
Thank you for sharing your own industry experiences! Us professionals in creative industries have it rough--I wish the best to you and your daughter as well!
All editors at Wealth Rights publishing house as of today starting salary at 100K In addition all authors will receive additional percentage in revenues... the new model is here...greedy publishers are gone with tomorrows trash!
It is horrible I graduated from LACC for Cinema TV and Cinema Producing I also attended UCLA for TV Pilot writing. If you are not a Shonda Rhimes where you do it yourself. It is plantation work slave labor. She worked 12 years at a studio in the office and cried every night. 12 years of slavery I am sure she pays her assistant better. If I produce a TV series I will pay my assistants better they have to live even if you pay their rent that would help. I was an actress when I realized how bad they treat writers in film, TV, publishing I rushed into film school. I am independently published for editing you can use software to edit it is a skill that has to be learned. For Editors they have their list of authors contact them and let them know you are freelance and start your own business. You are forced to change transform take the responsibility. All these top down pyramid industries are going to fall when the workers quit. If you don't speak up take action you will be in the chain of command position at the bottom trying to get to the top. Professionals will look the other way. Take care of yourself and pay yourself good luck.
38,000 a year starting in NYC because it's a "dream job" plus you're working when you're not working? That's a nightmare. You were smart to get out, but I'm sad you felt the need to. Your videos are great. Hopefully the reshuffling will help publishers put people over profit margins. If they can't afford to pay employees a decent wage, they should relocate from Fifth Avenue to more affordable cities. But to the pragmatics of your point: You're definitely right about agents being more choosy right now. My recent rejections have essentially said what you've explained. There was already trepidation because of supply line issues, and now this. I reckon it hasn't been this hard to break into traditional publishing in quite some years. But writers write because we must. So we'll just keep at it, and, hopefully, make some money doing it at some point :)
@@AlyssaMatesic You hit it on the head when you said creative jobs are passion jobs. I tell everyone that I am in the creative business and I expect to be paid what I think my time is worth (mic drop).
Thanks so much for your honesty & openness about the hierarchy, etc in the industry. I'm not on twitter and the pub industry lives behind a big black wall in my mind. Videos like these are enlightening!
It seems like a lot of industries are having a reckoning. As an indie author, I'm still interested in mainstream publishing, if nothing else because it would rock to see one of my books in a bookstore before bookstores fade away. It sounds like publishing houses need admin assistants in addition to editorial assistants, freeing editorial staff to focus on editorial work rather than squeeze in between life priorities and mental health.
You can self-publish and do the legwork to get into these bookstores, yes, sometimes one at a time, but I've been there/done it and DIY is totally gratifying, satisfying and empowering.
Thank you for keeping us up to date on the publishing industry, Alyssa. I'm so sorry to hear that you were expected to work around the clock and weren't properly paid. I'm glad you're on UA-cam now; your vids are so informative and honest! 💖
I thought the whole point of a publishing team was to help you get your vision for your book. But now it seems like we have to do all the work and publishing just prints it
I'm a published author and this is nonsense. My publisher do a great job in every respect with assistance in all areas and worldwide promotion, they do not steal the credit at all and work hard for all the authors they publish so where this rubbish has come from I can't say? Don't be put off by this as its misleading. Yes you have to have a strong subject, good synopsis and marketing points and one which is likely to sell or at least recoup your publishing advance as a start. If you'd like sound advice from someone with 9 professionally published titles and 6 more contracted ask me, I won't mind and it won't cost you a penny okay. Bear in mind I write WW2 factual histories not fiction.
@@timjonheath Maybe I should give up writing and seek a job in editing. _My publisher[s] do a great job in every respect with assistance in all areas and worldwide promotion[. T]hey do not steal the credit at all and [they] work hard for all the authors they publish[. S]o where this rubbish has come from I can't say[.] Don't be put off by this as it[']s misleading. Yes[,] you have to have a strong subject, [a] good synopsis and marketing points[,] and one[s] which [are] likely to sell or at least recoup your publishing advance as a start. If you'd like sound advice from someone with 9 professionally published titles and 6 more contracted[,] ask me[.] I won't mind and it won't cost you a penny[.] [O]kay[?] Bear in mind[,] I write WW2 factual histories[,] not fiction_ .
@@timjonheath I think a writer - especially one who is apparently vaunting their success, knowledge and experience to the point of almost touting for business - should have some grasp of the basics, such that they flow naturally _at least_ in a UA-cam comment (message??). And such a writer should also take some minimal pride in attending to those basics even in their UA-cam comments ... (aka proofreading). I have no idea what my intelligence or otherwise has to do with your poor grammar, spelling and punctuation.
when i was applying to publishing jobs senior year of college i was totally fine with applying to be an editorial assistant. i've been teaching and freelance editing for a couple years and i always planned to return to looking for work as an editorial assistant, but now that i've learned how little actual editing you get to do those positions, it honestly feels like a step backward. i just want to edit books!!! why is that so hard!!!!!
I know! 😣 I'm hoping this industry shakedown has positive consequences for young professionals like you, so that if your dream is to edit books for a living, you can comfortably do so! I wish you the best of luck!
I think that speed is picking up in all professions, which is why I'm never going back to a traditional job. However, kudos to these editors! People need to start standing up for what should be normal human working conditions. We cannot live day-in, day-out in a highly stressed out environment, going home each night knowing that we have not finished what was 'supposed' to have been done that day; each day facing an ever increasing accumulating back-log of to do's.
Yes, exactly! And good point about how the job market is speeding up in a lot of industries--it seems like times are still tough for many of us. Thanks for your comment!
Yes. It is absolutely all-consuming to edit a book. I have an LLC and I edit manuscripts, and to do more than a few at any given time is crazytown. These editors at the big houses have to be completely stretched beyond the max and stressed beyond belief.
Corporate greed in many industries is why people are leaving their jobs. Pay more and appreciate what the employees do for the company. It is becoming near impossible to be happy at one's job. Thank you for helping aspiring writers.
This work sounds overwhelming in the traditional publishing setting. I'm a professional editor with my own LLC and manage my workflow to be able to give 110% to clients. I have turned away work when I couldn't give my all. Editing a book is an intense and very immersive experience and there is a point of critical mass that traditionals have been ignoring to their peril.
Well said! I'm glad that you've found your own path for editing books without adhering to the traditional publishing process. I just hope other young book editors can find their way as well! Thanks for sharing!
So what do you mean by admin work durin 9 to 5? If your whole work day goes in oiling the gears and not turning them, something is really wrong with the (printing) machine
It’s refreshing to hear from someone with insider experience speak frankly about the industry. As I read through the comments it seems many feel the same way. Industry shake up can be a positive thing when the dust settles. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for this breakdown Alyssa! Thank you for sharing so openly, honestly and respectfully. I haven't worked in publishing but I've worked in tv and film and I could absolutely relate to your story. starting out. Hearing your story just helped me find a sense of validation in my experience and encouragement that I did the right thing leaving. You can preserve some things at the beginning but that's not how life should be. Work needs to make sense.
I love the way you said that---"Work needs to make sense." I know the TV/film industry can be just as brutal as the publishing industry can be, so I hope you're in a much better space now!
@@AlyssaMatesic Thank you so much for asking 😊 It's taken a couple of years but thankfully I'm in a much better place and videos like this really help me keep learning and feeling better.
Thank you Alyssa for your candor, and for illuminating this particular aspect of the industry with your own experience. 38k in NYC? LOL. No wonder publishing has a diversity problem. You need some kind of generational wealth just to get on the lowest rung of the ladder.
Thanks for the update. I suspect this will slow down the process: getting a Literary Agent to getting published. We all knew the industry was overloaded / over-worked and this latest development will surely only make matters worse. Damn! Just as I am almost at the point of seeking representation!
Interesting video Alyssa. But whatever the disruptions in the industry, the economy, the country, or the World, one thing is a constant. You can't beat a well written, timely, good story.
I saw this drama. I am. querying since 2020 and the last months i saw agents go out of control. Also i have to admit that authors too get burnout from the literary market. Its happen to me. When I saw all these in Twitter i just said myself "yeah stay faithful in yourself and your book and will find it. the market get crazy worldwide."
I could never even get a publisher to read my work, let alone be considered on the publishing lists. I gave up about a decade ago and wrote for fun; I have written 5 novels now, and feel really frustrated when an ex-proof reader friend of mine reads my work and tells me how depressing it is that writers like me exist without any form of success. Success isn't something I strive for; I just want someone to read my stuff and ... You've probably heard all this before.
I am thinking more and more that maybe one shouldn't aim for the dream job, but for just a job. If you go for just a job, there is less burnout, because you put in less feelings and time. And you still have some free time for your passions. I personally stopped wanting a dream job a few years ago, and am happier at my normal job, knowing that I put 0 emotional input in it. And I am also more energized in my free time. But there isn't a single way to go about it, it is just what I found works for me.
Thank you for sharing your perspective! I like how you mention there's no 'single way to go about' jobs. Some people can struggle through the pain, and some people can work a job they aren't 100% passionate about, and if both love it, then that's what matters!
In my only attempt to sell a manuscript, the only meaningful human contact I experienced was with low level admin-editorial assistants. Very positive experiences. Perhaps some of the more enterprising, young editors should incorporate and form their own businesses. It seems to be a manuscript rich environment.
The electronic version of my book was "edited" to produce a mess. Equations with omited equality symbols, omitted subscripts and superscrips, messed up tables. My 10-15 email letters to responsible persons were ignored. That is the new "high standard" of publishing by well known publisher of academic books. No wonder that some responsible editors are more or less forced to resign.
Goodness gracious. This only makes me feel better about my decision to self-publish. It explains why my queries to literary agents took sometimes four months just to receive a form letter rejection, and why not one agent was interested. This is quite different from just a few years ago. What's the value added by this industry? I think the elephant in the room is self-publishing, which is putting a lot of pressure on traditional publishers to cut costs and become ever more conservative, more risk-averse. Little new is allowed in, the old gets recycled to death. It's a shame that book publishing is so blind. And no, I'm not bitter. I'm sitting here enjoying my popcorn, believe me.
@@geisaholopainen My first book is going live on Amazon May 8. I had to hire an editor (very expensive, don't let UA-cam tell you otherwise) and a cover designer. A lot of work! Good luck to you!
Are these issues (the work load, low pay, etc.) industry wide or just with the big five? Do smaller imprints that perhaps specialize in -for example, children’s books- have the same problems?
I can't confirm for sure as I haven't work with smaller imprints! But, I will say that the issues I describe resonate with many creative/artistic industries, so unfortunately there may be similar problems in the smaller imprints as with the bigger houses.
Good video. I have also noticed the movement in the publishing industry over the last couple of years. For many authors, this means agent rejections outright (with little or no explanation) or long wait times to hear back. Back in the day, I was able to get books through the traditional publishing route. Not so much anymore. I still seek out the traditional publishing route on occasion to test the waters but am leaning more toward self-publishing (using independent editors, cover artists, PR/social media support, etc...). I don't care as much about seeing my books in bookstores as getting them in the hands of readers.
Okay so it's a labor thing. These massive corporations aren't surprising anyone, at least I hope not. The wider discussion about work environments and their toxicity should be happening BEFORE a Twitter rave breaks out. Thank you Alyssa for taking the time to discuss this.
You said it well! I really hope this conversation helps professionals get more recognition and rewards for their labor with in the industry, but we'll just have to wait and see!
Sounds to me like there is never enough workers in this industry. I know businesses aren't going to hire just anyone for the sake of taking on the workload, but still, I mean it's the same old story. There are authors out there who get passed up because no one had the time to look at their submission? The publishing house is failing to be what it is if that's the case.
You've pretty much nailed it! I've never worked within the big publisher houses, but I worked on the vendor side at least for some higher learning projects for Macmillan and Pearson. For a couple of months, I took on a project manager role, and well.... I was regularly working 16 hour days (and then even more hours on the weekends)! I was literally doing nothing but sleeping, eating, and working. I couldn't last more than about four or five months before I hopped right out of that job... The ridiculous workloads and burnout is absolutely real. Many people quit at the publishing company I worked at, too, for exactly the same reason. It sounds like this is the norm for so many different industries, too, including the game development industry. They also seem to prey on people's passion for these kinds of creative careers. The thing that very few publishing companies ever seem to want to do is hire more people so that the workload can be more widely thinned out. So editorial and production teams are always absurdly small in comparison to the amount of projects taken on.
Thank you for sharing your experience! I hope you're in a more balanced work environment now--I love the publishing industry, but it really does take a lot out of its professionals!
How things are running in the background is certainly an eye opener. I hope, if an agent finally accepts my work, that none of the editors or anyone else needs to suffer through my work to get it out.
WOW! Your insights about the inside of the industry are incredible! So good to learn about some of what I had been thinking, all along. So many of us who are newbies are finding that the industry is truly resting on an archaic model. Just look at the comments below. There are many folks out there who have incredible stories to sell. But, unless you are writers of classics, like Herman Melville or Jane Austen, or, perhaps, a celebrity, your manuscript just might not get selected. That said, people like you, give us courage to keep on keeping on. I truly thank you for that!
When hearing about this, it makes me scared of attempting to go into the publishing industry now. Especially when I live so far away from New York. It's such a high cost of living area, and when hearing your salary during your time there. And it's so hard to enter in the first place, since I would have to get an internship before I would get an in. I was also considering trying to be a literary agent, but I heard that it's hard to since most of their salary is based on the amount of deals they have with an author, to the point where they have to get a second job. The same for editors as well. Working for the privilege of working in that industry seems so draining to me. It makes me wonder what my options are, because I still want to pursue my English degree.
Seems to me like trad publishing is a dying industry. It’s sad, bc there’s not much quality control in selfpub in general but it’s the way of the future.
Self-pub arguably has better "quality control" than trad pub. Trad pub is literally a shadow of what it once was. They don't pick manuscripts that are "good" they pick ones they believe will sell well on the basis of what's "in" at the moment.
I love to hear the perspective of someone who was so invested in the traditional publishing game. I'm curious to know more about editors after they leave. I know the publishing house keeps the rights to publish the authors, but I also know authors can often build relationships with editors and have a team they enjoy working with. Are editors forced to leave a client when they leave the company? Can the author still hire the editor independently, or does the company have final say on the matter? Is it all black and white or is there some gray area with editors who have built and want to maintain a relationship with an author? You're advice and channel are always insightful and fun to watch!
Editors and programmers are basically the same, the big companies abuse their love and passion for books/games. Its disgusting and I hope it will be fixed soon otherwise the worlds gonna lose some great editors and booklovers :(
This is why I decided to make my own small press. That and also because of how so many of us Black authors get blacklisted (no pun intended) from being published by the top 5.
Thanks for this insight. I can see that the life of the starving artist isn't just relegated to the authors. I, like, I imagine, most authors, work all day at my 9-5 and then work on my writing in my off time. I have published short stories, even books, but have yet to make more than $500 from my writing. Yet, I can't quit.
Good morning, Alyssa. Your description of the publishing industry sounds a bit like teaching in a non union state. I taught middle grades science for 29 years. In that time, it felt like the county school system was asking us to balance more and more spinning plates which represented non classroom paperwork. Eventually, the requirement of time for completing assigned tasks grew so great that some of the plates had to be let go to crash, which directly resulted in lower quality classroom instruction. This was a source of great frustration for many teachers, myself included, who took great pride in the instruction we prepared for our students. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Thank you for sharing your experiences! It's hard working in 'passion' industries, so I'm glad this video has brought up so much conversation about burnout across many types of jobs.
Does anyone knows what this means for new authors just starting out? I have always wanted to be traditional published. I've always pictured my book being in the bookstores. So, if literary agents are hesitant to take on new clients, then it seems self-publishing is the only route, but with that some publishers don't see self- publishing as legit. What will this mean for the next generation of writers who want to get their work out there? It could take even longer now. Looking for advice as an aspiring author.
Depending on how you publish, the publisher will be the company that prints and distributes your book to the public. If you are traditionally publishing, the pub house would take care of marketing and editing as well. But, if you would like to stick with the indie editing service and book marketing firm you found, it may be better to pursue self-publishing instead, with Amazon KDP being the 'publisher' in this instance. Hope this helps!
Distribution of physical books. If you can't get a agent who has books on the Barnes and Nobles shelves right now, they can't do anything you couldn't yourself. Also, it will cost a real chunk up front to do it yourself
its sounds to me like traditional publishing is dying, the happening in the traditional publishing industry feels more and more like the splattering of a giant whale that is desperately trying to prevent itself from dying, and the diversity problems in the publishing house are only a tiny part of the problem of a giant iceberg that is slowly sinking, it's one of the reasons why I am doubting between traditional publishing and self-publishing, the only reason I want to be traditional published is so that my book can reach more people, I would love to see my book being launch and promoted on a global scale and traditional publishing can do that for me.
Amazon KDP will allow you global reach, too. They have markets all over the world. Or there is Ingram Spark. It sounds to me, not just from this video, but my other research, that even with traditional pub, you will have to do the lion's share of promotion yourself. And get a small royalty/advance in return for doing the work they used to do to earn that money.
@@donjindra yes that too, but I am not talking about that, I am talking about traditional publishing ignoring black writers like me, it's no secret that they purposely exclude black writers, to the point that they are systematically working to keep black writers out of the publishing world, that's why many have taken the self-publishing route since we see this as our only option at this point, and many are doing great in the self-publishing world, but it's not fair! We deserve to have a voice too, we deserved to be able to make money from our writing too! don't you find it curious that 95% of all the biggest and best paid female writers in all genres are white or from another ethnicity? you can count on your fingers the black writers in that list.
@@Suetvvlogs Traditional publishers are favoring black writers. They are systematically _including_ and _promoting_ black writers. To claim that 95% of the best paid writers are white is irrelevant. It merely proves the publishing industry cannot force the readers to conform to their agenda.
@@donjindra but as a bandaid. They are flocking to black writers at the moment to seem diverse, while leaving most other minorities out to dry. A similar thing happened with woman writers decades ago.
I may have a very colloquial, genre specific, perspective, but I'm wondering if there's any reaction in the publishing industry to Brandon Sanderson's Kickstarter campaign. In case you are unaware, Brandon is a top-tier fantasy author who very recently ran a Kickstarter for some of his unpublished (in some cases unwritten) books, along with some merch, and has raised over $30M within a month, probably approaching $35M. He's a special case, but it points toward the possibility that successful authors have more reason to wonder if they wouldn't make more money outside of traditional publishing. This strikes me as having serious ramifications for the industry.
The kickstarter wasn't for any unwritten books, it was for four of the five books he wrote during the pandemic in addition to the books he wrote as part of his normal schedule. They're still being edited, but they're all written (the fifth one might be turned into a graphic novel at some point, but isn't being published as part of the kickstarter). Total raised in the kickstarter (before additions from backerkit) was $41.7m.
Wow. This is remarkable, Alyssa. I can see the problem with heavy pressure of work load and responsibilities. The kind of thing us amateur writers would never think of. So I appreciate your insider insights. Very useful. As usual you set out the problem clearly, especially for those of us who have no contact with editors until they hesitantly submit their own work to one. . By the way, another quite different issue is the connection between publishing houses and film writing. Is there a connection between the two so that a writer can try both to publish and to get the interest of the film industry? If there's some mileage there maybe consider it for a video? Best wishes.
I'm on twitter and follow some agents. I'm so focussed on my manuscript though that I didn't catch any of this. But yes, publishers are more and more becoming just book printers.
Hey Alyssa! I want to start my career in publishing and I am actively looking for opportunities as an editorial assistant. The problem I face while applying for them is showcasing my skills since I have no prior experience in the field. Can you please make a video on how an amateur create a portfolio to help land them a good internship/full time job in the publishing house?
i am appalled that these huge companies can't provide administration professionals to relieve the *editorial* assistants from these duties. that's just insanity and would lead, i assume, to less than great editing work.
I looked up the average rent of living in New York. It's obviously different between NYC, Brooklyn, and Queens. Let's go with Queens. To average rent in Queens is $2,400 for a 1BD. The financial rule of thumb is that 30% of your gross monthly income should go to rent. That means you need to make $96,000 to afford to live in Queens. More if you want to live in Brooklyn or NYC.
I recall your past video about what you dislike about the industry... nothing is more disheartening than burnout. Is it worth the burnout to find the next big high?
Publishing traditionally is such a risk but I know I'm going to need its assistance to get going. That means getting my book buried below the midlist and I find that terrifying. It really shakes us that people in publishing aren't wanting to stay due to so many issues within the publishing houses and industry.
This was very helpful and interesting, thank you for posting and being so willing to share your own experiences. Do you have favorite or recommended resources outside of PW for industry news and developments? PS: Really appreciate this channel as one of those resources, too!
Until 2 weeks ago I was pursuing trad publishing but now I looking toward self-publishing. And just when hopelessness set in and I began bracing myself for rejection because I have twelve outstanding queries I check my email and see a full request. Had it last year I think I would be more excited but with everything going on that excitement was as hot as a wet ashes. But I do not want to waste the agent's time by withdrawing the query and besides nothing good may come of it so I emailed it to her. But I still plan on writing another project for campnano.
Congrats on the full request! It's still a great accomplishment to have, although it's good to also be flexible with your plans if things don't pan out. Best of luck with your book project!
As a published author I have written for the past year about the difficulty in getting a simple story published for the regular magazines I have submitted to. Many causes to the lack of publishing houses working to make a profit [Covid=less funds, production] and that RED TAPE issue again. Many Publishers are only accepting work from marginalized groups, selecting fewer works from authors in order to claw back revenue from lost profit. Printing costs, online publishing growing, plus other reasons. I have noticed as a regular contributor to magazines, the ones. I have always written for are accepting less from those that have little social media influence as well as all these other issues. So, whilst I feel for the publishing houses, we writers have lost out. I was receiving many acceptances until Covid hit. Also, for those writers that enjoyed following up news articles, all we can do is comment under the news online function. Even the opinion articles are often out of bounds as in-house journalists or celebrities cover this. I am pissed about this myself.
It's not just publishing. These same problems are plaguing all fields, especially creative ones. And they're getting worse, not better. Why? De-regulated rampant consumer capitalism has infiltrated every sector, making obscene greed acceptable. Who cares about art or quality or work-life balance? CEOs need their million-dollar bonuses, so the workers must work 24/7. And cut corners. And pay authors lower advances and less royalties. And expect authors to write entire books in 5 months. Gotta keep churning out product!
With so many new authors succeeding in the self publishing realm, what is the advantage of traditional publishing, and how long do you think the industry can survive in such disarray?
There isn't a job anywhere in the field of arts where you are not overworked and exploited. I've worked in video games, fim, television, it is the same everywhere. They all expect you to but in at least 4 hours over time every day, in many cases for free.
Everything I've learned about the traditional publishing industry reinforces my perception that its ancient business model is fundamentally broken. It's designed to find superstars and profit off them for 95% of the company income. Everyone else (internal and external), is expendable. The model also assumes an environment of scarcity, when the reverse is true.
You are 100% correct. Consider, for example, the list of '100 best reads.' Most of the books on that list few people have actually ready. What I mean is, sales of a book do not equal readership. How many that purchased the book read it? And traditional publishing houses do not seem to have a lot of discernment. For example, how many gay vampire books do we really need? Are there that many people that read all the different terrible author's takes on this so beaten to death meme? Same with dystopian society saved by a young girl. I could go on and on but cannot agree with you more. I'd love to get traditional published to get my name out there but after so much effort trying, I simply self publish on Amazon.
This is most or all art under capitalism - look at the music industry, painters at galleries etc. a very few people get the vast bulk of the money
What you just said reminds me a little bit of the music industry too. They have the same problem. I mean Prince talked about the exact same thing. Maybe it's an arts industry issue all together.
From the outside looking in, it just seems like the publishing industry is a mess. It makes me look at self pub with a little more interest 😅
Just avoid hybrid publishing, it was a term for writers who published traditionally and self-published, but vanity publishers took over the term. You won't own your brand.
@@jankyfluffy898 thank you for the tip. I've heard it for both and I suspect it's good advice.
@@bodine219 Welcome. Even if the subsidy press has a good reputation, your hands are tied about what promotion you can do. There are much better ways to spend your money.
@@jankyfluffy898 Well, most of them won't do any substantial marketing for you and since you are paying for their services (yes, pay-to-play, it's the old vanity with a new name), they really don't take over your brand. You can still create and build a brand as you have much more say in this scenario, HOWEVER, you have the most say when you self-publish. Which is why I've done it for my last 5 books and will never look back.
@@jazzauthor I agree and they basically own your book, no matter what they claim. Most don't edit either.
I've also noted a fairly significant shuffle of literary agents, now working at other agencies and a few new start-ups. While I'm still querying for a few projects, I am glad I ended up self-publishing. Thank you for the insight.
I'm glad you are able to be flexible with your book projects! Best of luck with your querying!
Everything I hear from the publishing industry tells me (A) Perfect your manuscript before ANYONE sees it. (B) Be sure your work has that extra added "punch" to impress even the most casual of readers. (C) Build your own following before anyone in the industry sees your MS, because publishers want three things -- (1) A great idea, (2) Beautifully written, (3) from a well-known author. Essentially, the publishing industry wants the author to do everything EXCEPT take credit for the success of the book. They want Stephen King to waltz through the front door and drop a 7-Part series in their lap, then thank them for printing it. Facetious, maybe, but close to the mark. EDIT - I didn't intend to make it sounds so bleak, but I think I did. I suppose it's just as fair to publishers to say that the competition is so great among writers that we only have an opportunity if we bring our very best. That sounds more positive.
When I was trying to get my first novel published I had an indepth conversation with a publisher who gave me his take on how the industry works. He said let's say a famous footballer agrees to play a charity football match, all the players are in fancy dress, he decides to go as Little Bo Peep, and he is abducted by Aliens from the football pitch. Publishers and agents will want anything to do with footballers who are aliens, footballers who cross dress, aliens who are footballers, aliens who cross dress, alien invasions thwarted by football teams, and alien invasions.
While I do think publishers are looking for authors to do more and more while they simultaneously do less and less, it is absolutely not true that you have to be “well known” to get a book deal outside of the non-fiction space. So many debut authors are acquired without having a big platform, or one at all.
It can definitely seem that way, haha! But remember, debut authors are debuting--that is, they don't always have a platform or audience to rely on, so they have to impress readerships with the power of their story! And many debut authors get published every year without a preexisting platform. The industry loves bringing in new authors, because they will always find and bring in potential new audiences. Thanks for sharing!
@@joyclark2605 I don't get ? Like what is your post about? Do publishers want footballers and aliens ???
@@laurenkhate2001 yeah that’s really confusing.
As a fairly new editorial assistant at an indie publisher, we do things very different from the traditional model, and I’m thankful for that. I actually get to edit books! Yes, I have my admin work, but it’s reasonable, and I have a kind, supportive team that understands the importance of a work-life balance. Indie publishers are sometimes underrated, but they realize the old, traditional model doesn’t work anymore, and they instead adapt and continue to thrive in the changing industry with every passing year. Best of luck to my fellow editors and debut authors!
I'm so, so glad you're working in a supportive and engaging environment! I hope more imprints move towards this model as much as possible. Thank you for sharing!
@@AlyssaMatesic so do I! Glad I shared :) hope my experience helps some folks
Hi Alyssa, I just stumbled onto your channel and decided to subscribe after I watched this video. I think one of the things you didn't hit on here is that self-publishing is growing in a way that editors can now open their own personal editing businesses online and don't need the crazy work schedule of a major publishing house. I know several editors who are doing this and they couldn't be happier. Just like self-publishing they are now in charge of their own editing businesses in how much to charge and how much time to spend working. With self-publishing growing each and every day, more self-publishers are looking for good editors and book marketing expertise experts online. Good video. I'll try to binge-watch your other videos in the next few weeks. BTW, I'm more than happy being a self-published author. I don't regret it at all that I didn't traditionally publish.
This is a great point to bring up, thanks for sharing!
I must say that hiring some of these freelance professionals is a bit risky. I have had some shaky experiences with them like: proofreaders who missed 50 words that were spelled incorrectly or editors that missed the same type of errors.
Hi Alyssa: It sounds very much like the TV writing world. When I was writing in rooms in the 90s our assistants (many fresh out of Ivy's, no less) were doing all the grunt work when what they wanted to do was get a shot at writing a script. In all my years writing, I think I saw it happen once. Maybe twice. Fast forward to now, where my daughter is a writer's assistant in TV rooms and of course is the lowest paid one there, working, long, hard hours. At least WA's are now represented by IATSE and are union positions, which has improved pay, but not by much. And similar to the publishing world, where you have junior editors making not enough to live, you now have Writer's Guild of America pro staff writers locked onto staffs where they now only produce 6-8 episodes a season (we made 22 in my day) and only being paid as such, while also trying to live in LA where a starter home--starter--is a million dollars. It's pretty clear there is a labor-equity problem, and it 's in your industry as well as in mine and now my daughters. Thanks for posting this--good luck to you!
Thank you for sharing your own industry experiences! Us professionals in creative industries have it rough--I wish the best to you and your daughter as well!
All editors at Wealth Rights publishing house as of today starting salary at 100K In addition all authors will receive additional percentage in revenues... the new model is here...greedy publishers are gone with tomorrows trash!
It is horrible I graduated from LACC for Cinema TV and Cinema Producing I also attended UCLA for TV Pilot writing. If you are not a Shonda Rhimes where you do it yourself. It is plantation work slave labor. She worked 12 years at a studio in the office and cried every night. 12 years of slavery I am sure she pays her assistant better. If I produce a TV series I will pay my assistants better they have to live even if you pay their rent that would help. I was an actress when I realized how bad they treat writers in film, TV, publishing I rushed into film school. I am independently published for editing you can use software to edit it is a skill that has to be learned. For Editors they have their list of authors contact them and let them know you are freelance and start your own business. You are forced to change transform take the responsibility. All these top down pyramid industries are going to fall when the workers quit. If you don't speak up take action you will be in the chain of command position at the bottom trying to get to the top. Professionals will look the other way. Take care of yourself and pay yourself good luck.
Why do you need to spend $1 million on a house?
But I do think the people you’re talking about are severely underpaid.
38,000 a year starting in NYC because it's a "dream job" plus you're working when you're not working? That's a nightmare. You were smart to get out, but I'm sad you felt the need to. Your videos are great. Hopefully the reshuffling will help publishers put people over profit margins. If they can't afford to pay employees a decent wage, they should relocate from Fifth Avenue to more affordable cities.
But to the pragmatics of your point: You're definitely right about agents being more choosy right now. My recent rejections have essentially said what you've explained. There was already trepidation because of supply line issues, and now this. I reckon it hasn't been this hard to break into traditional publishing in quite some years.
But writers write because we must. So we'll just keep at it, and, hopefully, make some money doing it at some point :)
Yes, being persistent and knowing when to strike is the best we can do right now! Best of luck with your projects!
@@AlyssaMatesic You hit it on the head when you said creative jobs are passion jobs. I tell everyone that I am in the creative business and I expect to be paid what I think my time is worth (mic drop).
Average starting salaries in publishing house is USD 38000 a year in 2023?
Are you sure?
Thanks so much for your honesty & openness about the hierarchy, etc in the industry. I'm not on twitter and the pub industry lives behind a big black wall in my mind. Videos like these are enlightening!
I'm glad it helped!
It seems like a lot of industries are having a reckoning. As an indie author, I'm still interested in mainstream publishing, if nothing else because it would rock to see one of my books in a bookstore before bookstores fade away.
It sounds like publishing houses need admin assistants in addition to editorial assistants, freeing editorial staff to focus on editorial work rather than squeeze in between life priorities and mental health.
You can self-publish and do the legwork to get into these bookstores, yes, sometimes one at a time, but I've been there/done it and DIY is totally gratifying, satisfying and empowering.
I think it's going to be a long time before bookstores fully fade away.
Thank you for keeping us up to date on the publishing industry, Alyssa. I'm so sorry to hear that you were expected to work around the clock and weren't properly paid. I'm glad you're on UA-cam now; your vids are so informative and honest! 💖
I thought the whole point of a publishing team was to help you get your vision for your book. But now it seems like we have to do all the work and publishing just prints it
I'm a published author and this is nonsense. My publisher do a great job in every respect with assistance in all areas and worldwide promotion, they do not steal the credit at all and work hard for all the authors they publish so where this rubbish has come from I can't say? Don't be put off by this as its misleading. Yes you have to have a strong subject, good synopsis and marketing points and one which is likely to sell or at least recoup your publishing advance as a start. If you'd like sound advice from someone with 9 professionally published titles and 6 more contracted ask me, I won't mind and it won't cost you a penny okay. Bear in mind I write WW2 factual histories not fiction.
@@timjonheath I'm sorry. I have to ask. You are a published author, and that comment demonstrates your grammar, spelling and punctuation?
@@timjonheath Maybe I should give up writing and seek a job in editing.
_My publisher[s] do a great job in every respect with assistance in all areas and worldwide promotion[. T]hey do not steal the credit at all and [they] work hard for all the authors they publish[. S]o where this rubbish has come from I can't say[.] Don't be put off by this as it[']s misleading. Yes[,] you have to have a strong subject, [a] good synopsis and marketing points[,] and one[s] which [are] likely to sell or at least recoup your publishing advance as a start. If you'd like sound advice from someone with 9 professionally published titles and 6 more contracted[,] ask me[.] I won't mind and it won't cost you a penny[.] [O]kay[?] Bear in mind[,] I write WW2 factual histories[,] not fiction_ .
@@bubble8829 Lol!! It's a message not a book or are you just trying to appear intelligent?
@@timjonheath I think a writer - especially one who is apparently vaunting their success, knowledge and experience to the point of almost touting for business - should have some grasp of the basics, such that they flow naturally _at least_ in a UA-cam comment (message??). And such a writer should also take some minimal pride in attending to those basics even in their UA-cam comments ... (aka proofreading).
I have no idea what my intelligence or otherwise has to do with your poor grammar, spelling and punctuation.
So much work seems to be unpaid in this industry.
when i was applying to publishing jobs senior year of college i was totally fine with applying to be an editorial assistant. i've been teaching and freelance editing for a couple years and i always planned to return to looking for work as an editorial assistant, but now that i've learned how little actual editing you get to do those positions, it honestly feels like a step backward. i just want to edit books!!! why is that so hard!!!!!
I know! 😣 I'm hoping this industry shakedown has positive consequences for young professionals like you, so that if your dream is to edit books for a living, you can comfortably do so! I wish you the best of luck!
I would let you edit my book
@@karensmith1521 lol i appreciate that! my website is in my bio if you’re serious 👁
I think that speed is picking up in all professions, which is why I'm never going back to a traditional job.
However, kudos to these editors! People need to start standing up for what should be normal human working conditions. We cannot live day-in, day-out in a highly stressed out environment, going home each night knowing that we have not finished what was 'supposed' to have been done that day; each day facing an ever increasing accumulating back-log of to do's.
Yes, exactly! And good point about how the job market is speeding up in a lot of industries--it seems like times are still tough for many of us. Thanks for your comment!
Great comment and share 🤩👌🏽
Yes. It is absolutely all-consuming to edit a book. I have an LLC and I edit manuscripts, and to do more than a few at any given time is crazytown. These editors at the big houses have to be completely stretched beyond the max and stressed beyond belief.
Corporate greed in many industries is why people are leaving their jobs. Pay more and appreciate what the employees do for the company. It is becoming near impossible to be happy at one's job. Thank you for helping aspiring writers.
This work sounds overwhelming in the traditional publishing setting. I'm a professional editor with my own LLC and manage my workflow to be able to give 110% to clients. I have turned away work when I couldn't give my all. Editing a book is an intense and very immersive experience and there is a point of critical mass that traditionals have been ignoring to their peril.
Well said! I'm glad that you've found your own path for editing books without adhering to the traditional publishing process. I just hope other young book editors can find their way as well! Thanks for sharing!
Publishers need higher, more administrative help and secretaries. Though I think pay raises are in order as well.
Especially the pay raises.
@@Jestfoster I agree.
This is a very enlightening conversation. Always good to get insight on the whole publishing process and landscape. Thank you for this video.
I love your insight and honest explanation. I was really surprised to learn how low the starting salary is for such a time intensive job.
So what do you mean by admin work durin 9 to 5? If your whole work day goes in oiling the gears and not turning them, something is really wrong with the (printing) machine
Eye-opening: it’s incredible how creative work is undervalued, when it is exactly what makes the wheels turn!
Thank you so much for your videos. You really perform a valuable service, and I feel I understand the industry so much better because of you.
It’s refreshing to hear from someone with insider experience speak frankly about the industry. As I read through the comments it seems many feel the same way. Industry shake up can be a positive thing when the dust settles. Thanks for sharing.
This is crazy!!! I had no idea the industry is like this. I used to wish I'd gone into publishing--now I'm REALLY happy I didn't!
Thank you so much for this breakdown Alyssa! Thank you for sharing so openly, honestly and respectfully. I haven't worked in publishing but I've worked in tv and film and I could absolutely relate to your story. starting out.
Hearing your story just helped me find a sense of validation in my experience and encouragement that I did the right thing leaving. You can preserve some things at the beginning but that's not how life should be. Work needs to make sense.
I love the way you said that---"Work needs to make sense." I know the TV/film industry can be just as brutal as the publishing industry can be, so I hope you're in a much better space now!
@@AlyssaMatesic Thank you so much for asking 😊
It's taken a couple of years but thankfully I'm in a much better place and videos like this really help me keep learning and feeling better.
Thank you Alyssa for your candor, and for illuminating this particular aspect of the industry with your own experience. 38k in NYC? LOL. No wonder publishing has a diversity problem. You need some kind of generational wealth just to get on the lowest rung of the ladder.
Thanks for the update. I suspect this will slow down the process: getting a Literary Agent to getting published. We all knew the industry was overloaded / over-worked and this latest development will surely only make matters worse.
Damn! Just as I am almost at the point of seeking representation!
Interesting video Alyssa. But whatever the disruptions in the industry, the economy, the country, or the World, one thing is a constant. You can't beat a well written, timely, good story.
Excellent point!
I saw this drama. I am. querying since 2020 and the last months i saw agents go out of control. Also i have to admit that authors too get burnout from the literary market. Its happen to me. When I saw all these in Twitter i just said myself "yeah stay faithful in yourself and your book and will find it. the market get crazy worldwide."
Thank you for the info👏🏾
I could never even get a publisher to read my work, let alone be considered on the publishing lists. I gave up about a decade ago and wrote for fun; I have written 5 novels now, and feel really frustrated when an ex-proof reader friend of mine reads my work and tells me how depressing it is that writers like me exist without any form of success. Success isn't something I strive for; I just want someone to read my stuff and ... You've probably heard all this before.
OMG i follow u on tiktok and you just popped up on my suggested on here i'm so glad i found your channel!!! GREAT CONTENT
Wow, I'm glad to see you here! Thanks for your kind comment :)
I am thinking more and more that maybe one shouldn't aim for the dream job, but for just a job. If you go for just a job, there is less burnout, because you put in less feelings and time. And you still have some free time for your passions. I personally stopped wanting a dream job a few years ago, and am happier at my normal job, knowing that I put 0 emotional input in it. And I am also more energized in my free time.
But there isn't a single way to go about it, it is just what I found works for me.
Thank you for sharing your perspective! I like how you mention there's no 'single way to go about' jobs. Some people can struggle through the pain, and some people can work a job they aren't 100% passionate about, and if both love it, then that's what matters!
In my only attempt to sell a manuscript, the only meaningful human contact I experienced was with low level admin-editorial assistants. Very positive experiences. Perhaps some of the more enterprising, young editors should incorporate and form their own businesses. It seems to be a manuscript rich environment.
The electronic version of my book was "edited" to produce a mess. Equations with omited equality symbols, omitted subscripts and superscrips, messed up tables. My 10-15 email letters to responsible persons were ignored. That is the new "high standard" of publishing by well known publisher of academic books. No wonder that some responsible editors are more or less forced to resign.
Goodness gracious. This only makes me feel better about my decision to self-publish. It explains why my queries to literary agents took sometimes four months just to receive a form letter rejection, and why not one agent was interested. This is quite different from just a few years ago. What's the value added by this industry? I think the elephant in the room is self-publishing, which is putting a lot of pressure on traditional publishers to cut costs and become ever more conservative, more risk-averse. Little new is allowed in, the old gets recycled to death. It's a shame that book publishing is so blind. And no, I'm not bitter. I'm sitting here enjoying my popcorn, believe me.
May I ask about your progress self-publishing? I'm thinking about self publishing too, but comics.
@@geisaholopainen My first book is going live on Amazon May 8. I had to hire an editor (very expensive, don't let UA-cam tell you otherwise) and a cover designer. A lot of work! Good luck to you!
@@bobnolin9155 oh, I see! Yes, its expensive, you are right. Thank you so much! I wish you all the best, as well!
Good to know..as my first manuscript is being polished before sending it out to publishers.
Your videos should have way more views! They're nicely made and super helpful!
I appreciate that! I'm just trying to build up a community that likes to engage with each other so thank you for commenting and contributing 😊
Are these issues (the work load, low pay, etc.) industry wide or just with the big five? Do smaller imprints that perhaps specialize in -for example, children’s books- have the same problems?
I can't confirm for sure as I haven't work with smaller imprints! But, I will say that the issues I describe resonate with many creative/artistic industries, so unfortunately there may be similar problems in the smaller imprints as with the bigger houses.
Good video. I have also noticed the movement in the publishing industry over the last couple of years. For many authors, this means agent rejections outright (with little or no explanation) or long wait times to hear back. Back in the day, I was able to get books through the traditional publishing route. Not so much anymore. I still seek out the traditional publishing route on occasion to test the waters but am leaning more toward self-publishing (using independent editors, cover artists, PR/social media support, etc...). I don't care as much about seeing my books in bookstores as getting them in the hands of readers.
Thanks for this Alyssa. Publishing Twitter really blew up this month so now I understand why
Okay so it's a labor thing. These massive corporations aren't surprising anyone, at least I hope not. The wider discussion about work environments and their toxicity should be happening BEFORE a Twitter rave breaks out.
Thank you Alyssa for taking the time to discuss this.
You said it well! I really hope this conversation helps professionals get more recognition and rewards for their labor with in the industry, but we'll just have to wait and see!
Sounds to me like there is never enough workers in this industry. I know businesses aren't going to hire just anyone for the sake of taking on the workload, but still, I mean it's the same old story. There are authors out there who get passed up because no one had the time to look at their submission? The publishing house is failing to be what it is if that's the case.
You've pretty much nailed it! I've never worked within the big publisher houses, but I worked on the vendor side at least for some higher learning projects for Macmillan and Pearson. For a couple of months, I took on a project manager role, and well.... I was regularly working 16 hour days (and then even more hours on the weekends)! I was literally doing nothing but sleeping, eating, and working. I couldn't last more than about four or five months before I hopped right out of that job... The ridiculous workloads and burnout is absolutely real. Many people quit at the publishing company I worked at, too, for exactly the same reason.
It sounds like this is the norm for so many different industries, too, including the game development industry. They also seem to prey on people's passion for these kinds of creative careers. The thing that very few publishing companies ever seem to want to do is hire more people so that the workload can be more widely thinned out. So editorial and production teams are always absurdly small in comparison to the amount of projects taken on.
Thank you for sharing your experience! I hope you're in a more balanced work environment now--I love the publishing industry, but it really does take a lot out of its professionals!
@@AlyssaMatesic Oh yes, I'm in a much better position, now! Same, too, I've always been fascinated by the behind-the-scenes processes for publishing.
How things are running in the background is certainly an eye opener. I hope, if an agent finally accepts my work, that none of the editors or anyone else needs to suffer through my work to get it out.
WOW! Your insights about the inside of the industry are incredible! So good to learn about some of what I had been thinking, all along. So many
of us who are newbies are finding that the industry is truly resting on an archaic model. Just look at the comments below. There are many folks out there who have incredible stories to sell. But, unless you are writers of classics, like Herman Melville or Jane Austen, or, perhaps, a celebrity, your manuscript just might not get selected. That said, people like you, give us courage to keep on keeping on. I truly thank you for that!
When hearing about this, it makes me scared of attempting to go into the publishing industry now. Especially when I live so far away from New York. It's such a high cost of living area, and when hearing your salary during your time there. And it's so hard to enter in the first place, since I would have to get an internship before I would get an in. I was also considering trying to be a literary agent, but I heard that it's hard to since most of their salary is based on the amount of deals they have with an author, to the point where they have to get a second job. The same for editors as well.
Working for the privilege of working in that industry seems so draining to me.
It makes me wonder what my options are, because I still want to pursue my English degree.
This sounds so very much like academia in terms of compensation and workload.
Unfortunately yes!
How do things work at the newer publishing houses, with better outputs, like Castalia House?
Seems to me like trad publishing is a dying industry. It’s sad, bc there’s not much quality control in selfpub in general but it’s the way of the future.
Self-pub arguably has better "quality control" than trad pub. Trad pub is literally a shadow of what it once was. They don't pick manuscripts that are "good" they pick ones they believe will sell well on the basis of what's "in" at the moment.
This is a great video on the inner workings of the industry. SUBSCRIBED :^)
i just came across this video. And I learned something new today.
Another outstanding video, Alyssa!
Thanks again!
Whoa, was there a hashtag I can search?
'Diving right in' at 2:33
I love to hear the perspective of someone who was so invested in the traditional publishing game. I'm curious to know more about editors after they leave. I know the publishing house keeps the rights to publish the authors, but I also know authors can often build relationships with editors and have a team they enjoy working with. Are editors forced to leave a client when they leave the company? Can the author still hire the editor independently, or does the company have final say on the matter? Is it all black and white or is there some gray area with editors who have built and want to maintain a relationship with an author? You're advice and channel are always insightful and fun to watch!
Betcha anything there are non-comp agreements and when you leave, you cannot take clients with you OR pitch them for future work.
Informative and insightful. Subscribed.
$38k?! holy crap! that's criminal... it's sad how undervalued professionals are in most industries...
Sounds very similiar to the teaching profession!
Definitely! We all work too much for too little!
This was very interesting and helpful thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
I am working on this book that I need an editor, will you point me to the right direction?
Thank you
I have a video here touching on how to find a book editor!: ua-cam.com/video/ovlO3Hk7cDM/v-deo.html
Editors and programmers are basically the same, the big companies abuse their love and passion for books/games. Its disgusting and I hope it will be fixed soon otherwise the worlds gonna lose some great editors and booklovers :(
A bit disheartening but I need to continue on. I will find a literary agent
Keeping a positive and persistent attitude will pay off! Best of luck!
Any updates on the publishing pace?
.
thank you
2021 was hard
.
This is why I decided to make my own small press. That and also because of how so many of us Black authors get blacklisted (no pun intended) from being published by the top 5.
Thanks for this insight. I can see that the life of the starving artist isn't just relegated to the authors. I, like, I imagine, most authors, work all day at my 9-5 and then work on my writing in my off time. I have published short stories, even books, but have yet to make more than $500 from my writing. Yet, I can't quit.
I hope you keep up with it! The publishing industry wouldn't exist if there weren't any authors!
@@AlyssaMatesic Amen!
Would you ever consider making videos on becoming an editor in the traditional/indie publishing industry?
Yes! This is a dream job for me And I’d love to hear any tips for how to accomplish that
I have a video on my professional publishing journey here!: ua-cam.com/video/R6DSbf13iio/v-deo.html
Thank you for covering this
Good morning, Alyssa. Your description of the publishing industry sounds a bit like teaching in a non union state. I taught middle grades science for 29 years. In that time, it felt like the county school system was asking us to balance more and more spinning plates which represented non classroom paperwork. Eventually, the requirement of time for completing assigned tasks grew so great that some of the plates had to be let go to crash, which directly resulted in lower quality classroom instruction. This was a source of great frustration for many teachers, myself included, who took great pride in the instruction we prepared for our students. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Thank you for sharing your experiences! It's hard working in 'passion' industries, so I'm glad this video has brought up so much conversation about burnout across many types of jobs.
Does anyone knows what this means for new authors just starting out? I have always wanted to be traditional published. I've always pictured my book being in the bookstores. So, if literary agents are hesitant to take on new clients, then it seems self-publishing is the only route, but with that some publishers don't see self- publishing as legit. What will this mean for the next generation of writers who want to get their work out there? It could take even longer now. Looking for advice as an aspiring author.
I’m getting into writing now. If I can find an independent editing service, and a knowledgeable book marketing firm, what do I need a publisher for?
Depending on how you publish, the publisher will be the company that prints and distributes your book to the public. If you are traditionally publishing, the pub house would take care of marketing and editing as well. But, if you would like to stick with the indie editing service and book marketing firm you found, it may be better to pursue self-publishing instead, with Amazon KDP being the 'publisher' in this instance. Hope this helps!
Distribution of physical books. If you can't get a agent who has books on the Barnes and Nobles shelves right now, they can't do anything you couldn't yourself. Also, it will cost a real chunk up front to do it yourself
heres a random question : why has there been zero output from the literary estate of J D Salinger, who has been dead for 12 years now.
Thankfully we haven’t had those issues with Amazon/Kindle!
its sounds to me like traditional publishing is dying, the happening in the traditional publishing industry feels more and more like the splattering of a giant whale that is desperately trying to prevent itself from dying, and the diversity problems in the publishing house are only a tiny part of the problem of a giant iceberg that is slowly sinking, it's one of the reasons why I am doubting between traditional publishing and self-publishing, the only reason I want to be traditional published is so that my book can reach more people, I would love to see my book being launch and promoted on a global scale and traditional publishing can do that for me.
Amazon KDP will allow you global reach, too. They have markets all over the world. Or there is Ingram Spark. It sounds to me, not just from this video, but my other research, that even with traditional pub, you will have to do the lion's share of promotion yourself. And get a small royalty/advance in return for doing the work they used to do to earn that money.
The 'diversity' problem is the fact that publishers are publishing based on a 'diversity' agenda rather than quality.
@@donjindra yes that too, but I am not talking about that, I am talking about traditional publishing ignoring black writers like me, it's no secret that they purposely exclude black writers, to the point that they are systematically working to keep black writers out of the publishing world, that's why many have taken the self-publishing route since we see this as our only option at this point, and many are doing great in the self-publishing world, but it's not fair! We deserve to have a voice too, we deserved to be able to make money from our writing too! don't you find it curious that 95% of all the biggest and best paid female writers in all genres are white or from another ethnicity? you can count on your fingers the black writers in that list.
@@Suetvvlogs Traditional publishers are favoring black writers. They are systematically _including_ and _promoting_ black writers. To claim that 95% of the best paid writers are white is irrelevant. It merely proves the publishing industry cannot force the readers to conform to their agenda.
@@donjindra but as a bandaid. They are flocking to black writers at the moment to seem diverse, while leaving most other minorities out to dry. A similar thing happened with woman writers decades ago.
I may have a very colloquial, genre specific, perspective, but I'm wondering if there's any reaction in the publishing industry to Brandon Sanderson's Kickstarter campaign. In case you are unaware, Brandon is a top-tier fantasy author who very recently ran a Kickstarter for some of his unpublished (in some cases unwritten) books, along with some merch, and has raised over $30M within a month, probably approaching $35M. He's a special case, but it points toward the possibility that successful authors have more reason to wonder if they wouldn't make more money outside of traditional publishing. This strikes me as having serious ramifications for the industry.
The kickstarter wasn't for any unwritten books, it was for four of the five books he wrote during the pandemic in addition to the books he wrote as part of his normal schedule. They're still being edited, but they're all written (the fifth one might be turned into a graphic novel at some point, but isn't being published as part of the kickstarter). Total raised in the kickstarter (before additions from backerkit) was $41.7m.
Wow. This is remarkable, Alyssa. I can see the problem with heavy pressure of work load and responsibilities. The kind of thing us amateur writers would never think of. So I appreciate your insider insights. Very useful. As usual you set out the problem clearly, especially for those of us who have no contact with editors until they hesitantly submit their own work to one.
. By the way, another quite different issue is the connection between publishing houses and film writing. Is there a connection between the two so that a writer can try both to publish and to get the interest of the film industry? If there's some mileage there maybe consider it for a video? Best wishes.
I'm on twitter and follow some agents. I'm so focussed on my manuscript though that I didn't catch any of this.
But yes, publishers are more and more becoming just book printers.
Hey Alyssa! I want to start my career in publishing and I am actively looking for opportunities as an editorial assistant. The problem I face while applying for them is showcasing my skills since I have no prior experience in the field. Can you please make a video on how an amateur create a portfolio to help land them a good internship/full time job in the publishing house?
i am appalled that these huge companies can't provide administration professionals to relieve the *editorial* assistants from these duties. that's just insanity and would lead, i assume, to less than great editing work.
I looked up the average rent of living in New York. It's obviously different between NYC, Brooklyn, and Queens. Let's go with Queens. To average rent in Queens is $2,400 for a 1BD. The financial rule of thumb is that 30% of your gross monthly income should go to rent. That means you need to make $96,000 to afford to live in Queens. More if you want to live in Brooklyn or NYC.
The beginning of the discussion proper starts at 2:33 “What actually happened?”
5:00 “where are these issues stemming from?”
“When you get an idea into your head you find it in everything.”-The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo
It's a brutal industry. Alyssa attempts to sugar coat it but without success.
It proves one thing, to stay in that profession, they are dedicated. It's a tough business.
It definitely takes commitment!
I recall your past video about what you dislike about the industry... nothing is more disheartening than burnout. Is it worth the burnout to find the next big high?
Publishing traditionally is such a risk but I know I'm going to need its assistance to get going. That means getting my book buried below the midlist and I find that terrifying. It really shakes us that people in publishing aren't wanting to stay due to so many issues within the publishing houses and industry.
Awesome 👍 video was awesome
What if I can’t nail down a genre? What if it’s a few? The story flows but is a little complex
This was very helpful and interesting, thank you for posting and being so willing to share your own experiences. Do you have favorite or recommended resources outside of PW for industry news and developments?
PS: Really appreciate this channel as one of those resources, too!
Great overview! How many hours per day or week would you say you worked outside the office?
Until 2 weeks ago I was pursuing trad publishing but now I looking toward self-publishing. And just when hopelessness set in and I began bracing myself for rejection because I have twelve outstanding queries I check my email and see a full request. Had it last year I think I would be more excited but with everything going on that excitement was as hot as a wet ashes. But I do not want to waste the agent's time by withdrawing the query and besides nothing good may come of it so I emailed it to her. But I still plan on writing another project for campnano.
Congrats on the full request! It's still a great accomplishment to have, although it's good to also be flexible with your plans if things don't pan out. Best of luck with your book project!
@@AlyssaMatesic thank you! Didn't realize bmy comment had so many typos.
As a published author I have written for the past year about the difficulty in getting a simple story published for the regular magazines I have submitted to. Many causes to the lack of publishing houses working to make a profit [Covid=less funds, production] and that RED TAPE issue again. Many Publishers are only accepting work from marginalized groups, selecting fewer works from authors in order to claw back revenue from lost profit. Printing costs, online publishing growing, plus other reasons. I have noticed as a regular contributor to magazines, the ones. I have always written for are accepting less from those that have little social media influence as well as all these other issues. So, whilst I feel for the publishing houses, we writers have lost out. I was receiving many acceptances until Covid hit. Also, for those writers that enjoyed following up news articles, all we can do is comment under the news online function. Even the opinion articles are often out of bounds as in-house journalists or celebrities cover this. I am pissed about this myself.
wow. had no idea it was that rough
It's not just publishing. These same problems are plaguing all fields, especially creative ones. And they're getting worse, not better. Why? De-regulated rampant consumer capitalism has infiltrated every sector, making obscene greed acceptable. Who cares about art or quality or work-life balance? CEOs need their million-dollar bonuses, so the workers must work 24/7. And cut corners. And pay authors lower advances and less royalties. And expect authors to write entire books in 5 months. Gotta keep churning out product!
With so many new authors succeeding in the self publishing realm, what is the advantage of traditional publishing, and how long do you think the industry can survive in such disarray?
good to know. when i get to the agent point i'll have patience because they need patience to put work forward.
HOW did you live on 38K in NYC?!?! That's INSANE!
There isn't a job anywhere in the field of arts where you are not overworked and exploited. I've worked in video games, fim, television, it is the same everywhere. They all expect you to but in at least 4 hours over time every day, in many cases for free.