Recent articles
July 15, 2026
When does using someone else’s research become an adaptation?
A historian and author posted an open letter expressing her disappointment about a graphic novel that appears to draw heavily from her book.
janefriedman.com
July 15, 2026
New study: audiobook listeners willing to try AI multi-cast narration; rate it favorably
The study was performed by Edison Research, a leader in audio market research, and commissioned by Spoken, an AI audiobook production company.
janefriedman.com
July 15, 2026
How a publisher’s giveaway became market research
Chicken Soup for the Soul changed their spine design after a recent merchandise giveaway crowdsourced how their books were being displayed.
janefriedman.com
July 15, 2026
Book sales update: print sales nearly flat versus 2025
Adult fiction grew 5.7 percent, while adult nonfiction fell 5.8 percent. Self-help had the biggest decline of all, about 24 percent
janefriedman.com
July 15, 2026
Publishers file lawsuit against Google for AI training
Google used access to digital copies of books via Google Books, the Google Play bookstore, and Google Scholar to train its Gemini model.
janefriedman.com
July 8, 2026
New horror-inspired imprint at Insight Editions
Insight Editions is starting a line of horror-inspired books in collaboration with filmmaker Eli Roth and his media company The Horror Section.
janefriedman.com
July 8, 2026
Publishers Lunch reports decline in six-figure nonfiction deals during second quarter 2026
Analyst Michael Cader reports some of this decline is driven by Penguin Random House and HarperCollins pulling back on deals.
janefriedman.com
July 8, 2026
Kindle Direct Publishing extends 70 percent royalty on ebooks from $9.99 price point to $12.99
As of July 7, the 70 percent royalty rate can be earned for all ebooks priced up to $12.99. The prior royalty rate for books priced over $9.99 was 35 percent.
janefriedman.com
July 8, 2026
Links of Interest: July 8, 2026
The latest in book sales, book marketing, culture & politics, and AI.
janefriedman.com
July 7, 2026
Should You Use Substack for Your Email Newsletter? Or Something Else?
Should authors use Substack for their newsletter? It depends on your purpose—strengthening ties with existing readers, or reaching new ones.
janefriedman.com
July 1, 2026
Links of Interest: July 1, 2026
The latest in traditional publishing, self-publishing, marketing & promotion, culture & politics, and AI.
janefriedman.com
July 1, 2026
New agency: Renegade Literary
Former Ayesha Pande Literary agent Annie Hwang has launched Renegade Literary. representing literary fiction as well as established poets.
janefriedman.com
July 1, 2026
Reese Witherspoon’s company partners with Hachette on “analog-inspired” Sunnie
A press release says they will focus on “analog-inspired products that empower Gen Z to digitally detox.”
janefriedman.com
July 1, 2026
Sourcebooks launches Kwame Alexander Books
Kwame Alexander Books will publish picture books, middle grade, young adult, and adult titles by Alexander as well as other authors.
janefriedman.com
July 1, 2026
Atria (Penguin Random House) is relaunching Pocket Books
Pocket Books is a mass-market imprint that will be returning to publish romance, romantic thrillers, and horror.
janefriedman.com
July 1, 2026
Podcast Publicity for Authors and Publishers: What’s Working
Podcasts drive book sales like never before. Industry experts share pitching strategies: start early, target niche shows, research hosts, build relationships first, and prepare authors thoroughly.
janefriedman.com
June 24, 2026
Entangled Publishing brings on former Tinder CEO as president and COO
... Read more
janefriedman.com
June 24, 2026
New agency: Hell Fire Books
The agency will focus on music titles, film, literary biography, art and design, photography, graphic novels, and other areas of pop culture.
janefriedman.com
June 24, 2026
Indie bookstore launches book review publication
Boston bookstore Porter Square Books has launched a book review newsletter, the Porter Square Review of Books.
janefriedman.com
June 24, 2026
Links of Interest: June 24, 2026
The latest in book sales, audio, and AI.
janefriedman.com
June 24, 2026
The Problems Publishing Still Hasn’t Solved—and Why They Persist: An Exit Interview with Brian O’Leary
The outgoing executive director of the Book Industry Study Group joined me to discuss ongoing issues affecting the industry.
janefriedman.com
June 19, 2026
From Online Fandoms to Blockbuster Films and TV Shows: What Books Get Optioned Now
At the 2026 U.S. Book Show, Hollywood scouts and studio execs revealed what makes books adaptable—including why sales don’t always matter, BookTok rules, and YA isn’t really YA.
janefriedman.com
June 17, 2026
IMHO: I Wouldn’t Blame Libraries for Declining Author Income
... Read more
janefriedman.com
June 17, 2026
The New Yorker launches a book recommendation newsletter
A rotating group of writers and editors at the New Yorker will suggest the best books available now and coming soon.
janefriedman.com
June 17, 2026
New agent at Katie Reed Literary
Rebecca Lommers has joined as a junior agent. She’s currently accepting YA and adult fiction and middle-grade across multiple genres.
janefriedman.com
June 17, 2026
PRH relaunches Texas Monthly Press
The imprint previously ran from the 1970s through the early 1990s and is associated with the magazine by the same name.
janefriedman.com
June 17, 2026
Links of Interest: June 17, 2026
The latest in legal issues, libraries, culture & politics, and AI.
janefriedman.com
June 17, 2026
Bestselling nonfiction author believes AI has devastated his book sales
Tim Ferriss believes authors and publishers will need to leverage and focus on experiences rather than information in order to thrive.
janefriedman.com
June 10, 2026
Baker Publishing Group launches children’s imprint
The large US Christian publisher has announced Seed & Sparrow, an imprint for picture books and board books for ages newborn to eight.
janefriedman.com
June 10, 2026
Tor launches Clocktower Publishing
The partnership with a game company will release a series of works set in the world of the popular party game Blood on the Clocktower.
janefriedman.com