Write Now with Scrivener Episode 52: Jane Friedman, Publishing Industry Specialist
Jul 2, 2025
Jane Friedman, a publishing industry specialist with over 25 years of experience, shares her insights on the evolving world of writing and publishing. She discusses the growing landscape of self-publishing and the importance of direct reader engagement. The conversation delves into the complexities of pursuing a writing career, emphasizing passion over outside validation. Jane also reflects on the digital revolution's impact on publishing and the need for writers to assert their artistic agency in a corporatized industry.
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Episode notes
Polish Your Opening Pages
- Agents and editors often judge a manuscript within the first five to ten pages, so polish your opening relentlessly.
- If they see potential they'll typically read at least fifty pages or request the full manuscript.
Taste And Trend Both Matter
- Publishing decisions mix market belief and individual taste, making success unpredictable.
- Editors seek work that fits trends but also feels fresh and not lost in genre noise.
Bookstore Job Taught Publishing Realities
- Kirk McElhearn credits three years working in a bookstore in France for teaching him how publishing and book sales actually work.
- He says books are sold by word-of-mouth, booksellers, and now social platforms like TikTok, not just reviews.
