Ep 125: The Business of Being a Writer with Jane Friedman
In this no-fluff episode, publishing powerhouse Jane Friedman speaks to the aspects of writing and publishing that every aspiring author need to hear about. With decades in the industry and zero interest in sugarcoating, Jane breaks down what’s actually working in publishing today.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT:
- Why the so-called "good old days" of publishing weren’t actually that great (unless you love gatekeepers and waiting around)
- The myth of the full-time writer dream—and why your day job might be your creative secret weapon
- What MFA programs don’t teach you about storytelling that readers actually care about
- How to build an author platform without selling your soul
- The cold, hard truth about bookstore distribution and hybrid publishing
- How sponsorships can turn your author newsletter into a profitable platform—and why subscriptions might not be the move
- What nobody tells you about post-publication anxiety (spoiler: publishing a book doesn’t magically fix your inner critic)
ABOUT JANE
Jane Friedman has spent 25+ years working in the publishing industry, with a focus on business reporting and author education. Established in 2015, her newsletter The Bottom Line provides nuanced market intelligence to thousands of authors and industry professionals; in 2023, she was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World. Jane’s expertise regularly features in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Today Show, Wired, Fox News, and BBC.
Jane's Instagram: @janefriedman
Jane's Book: The Business of Being a Writer
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