I read your piece while you were reflecting from TLA, and what struck me immediately was the clarity of your perspective it didn’t feel like a surface level recap, but more like someone quietly connecting the dots between what’s happening in the room and what it means for the entire industry moving forward.
What stood out to me most is the balance you brought between the industry-level shifts and your personal, long term perspective. It didn’t feel reactive it felt informed. Especially the way you connected the closures, the shift in formats, and the realities librarians are facing it paints a much bigger picture than just “the market is changing.
Your observations from TLA were particularly insightful. The rise of graphic novels, shorter formats, and visually driven books alongside reduced budgets and tighter gatekeeping really highlights how both demand and access are evolving at the same time.
And that closing note encouraging authors to keep writing despite everything felt both realistic and quietly reassuring. Not overly optimistic, but grounded in experience.
I did have a quick question, if you don’t mind it would truly be an honor to hear your perspective.
With all these changes happening fewer publishing avenues, shifting reader preferences, and tighter institutional budgets how have you seen authors adapt when it comes to consistently getting their work in front of the right audience?
Thanks, Daisy. I actually believe this is a great time for writers as our choices are greater than ever. We have agency over our work, able to take it directly to readers. It's hard to market any book - traditional or indie - so that's the biggest hurdle at the moment, but I believe in the power of one-on-one connection no matter how the book reaches the audience.
And however What you said about one-on-one connection really stayed with me, because it feels like that’s where a lot of authors are quietly underestimating their advantage right now. With so many routes opening up, the challenge isn’t just visibility anymore it’s precision. The authors I’ve seen adapt best aren’t necessarily the loudest, but the ones who’ve found a way to consistently place their work in front of readers who already resonate with their voice, even in smaller, more intentional circles.
It makes me curious when you think about that one-on-one connection, do you see it happening more through direct platforms like newsletters and communities, or still anchored in the traditional discovery paths but approached differently?
I’d genuinely love to hear how you see that evolving, especially given everything you observed at TLA.
I'd say, personally get into classrooms and book clubs. Start local and grow outward. Go to book fairs and, as I said in the post, conferences. There's nothing like meeting readers in person to help spread word of mouth. (So, no, I don't think social media is the answer, if that is a question.) Most of all, keep writing. More work generates more readers.
Janet, this is incredibly grounding and honestly refreshing to hear in a space where everything is often pushed toward digital first solutions.
What you said about starting local and building outward really reframes the idea of growth. It’s easy to overlook how powerful those in-person moments are, but they seem to create a level of trust and word of mouth that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
At the same time, it feels like there’s an interesting intersection forming where those real world connections don’t replace digital presence, but quietly extend it. Almost like the in-person experience becomes the foundation, and everything else simply amplifies what’s already working.
I’m curious have you seen authors successfully carry that momentum from classrooms or book clubs into a more sustained reader relationship over time, or does it tend to stay rooted in those local circles?
Really appreciate you sharing this it adds a lot of clarity to what actually moves the needle right now. and also if i did ask are you an Author too?
If you don’t mind me asking, how long have you been on this journey? And what was the moment or inspiration that pushed you to start publishing your work? I’d really love to hear your story.
Congratulations on the launch of your new book, Janet! As always, thanks for all the info--depressing as it all is. I've gone indie. With the loss of all these imprints, and the fact that there's not a lot of support in promoting the books, I've decided that maybe it's the best way for me right now. (Fingers crossed!) My heart goes out to all the librarians out there, though. I just love the advocacy they provide for our kids...teachers too!
Yes, exactly!!! Librarians are true rock stars. The publishers I spoke to know what's happening and are beginning to count on us to be partners, which I think is good for all.
It's tough out there. But essential to keep informed so you can choose your next project not only from your heart but with a thought to the future needs, too.
Hi Janet,
I read your piece while you were reflecting from TLA, and what struck me immediately was the clarity of your perspective it didn’t feel like a surface level recap, but more like someone quietly connecting the dots between what’s happening in the room and what it means for the entire industry moving forward.
What stood out to me most is the balance you brought between the industry-level shifts and your personal, long term perspective. It didn’t feel reactive it felt informed. Especially the way you connected the closures, the shift in formats, and the realities librarians are facing it paints a much bigger picture than just “the market is changing.
Your observations from TLA were particularly insightful. The rise of graphic novels, shorter formats, and visually driven books alongside reduced budgets and tighter gatekeeping really highlights how both demand and access are evolving at the same time.
And that closing note encouraging authors to keep writing despite everything felt both realistic and quietly reassuring. Not overly optimistic, but grounded in experience.
I did have a quick question, if you don’t mind it would truly be an honor to hear your perspective.
With all these changes happening fewer publishing avenues, shifting reader preferences, and tighter institutional budgets how have you seen authors adapt when it comes to consistently getting their work in front of the right audience?
Thanks, Daisy. I actually believe this is a great time for writers as our choices are greater than ever. We have agency over our work, able to take it directly to readers. It's hard to market any book - traditional or indie - so that's the biggest hurdle at the moment, but I believe in the power of one-on-one connection no matter how the book reaches the audience.
Oh actually that sound great
And however What you said about one-on-one connection really stayed with me, because it feels like that’s where a lot of authors are quietly underestimating their advantage right now. With so many routes opening up, the challenge isn’t just visibility anymore it’s precision. The authors I’ve seen adapt best aren’t necessarily the loudest, but the ones who’ve found a way to consistently place their work in front of readers who already resonate with their voice, even in smaller, more intentional circles.
It makes me curious when you think about that one-on-one connection, do you see it happening more through direct platforms like newsletters and communities, or still anchored in the traditional discovery paths but approached differently?
I’d genuinely love to hear how you see that evolving, especially given everything you observed at TLA.
I'd say, personally get into classrooms and book clubs. Start local and grow outward. Go to book fairs and, as I said in the post, conferences. There's nothing like meeting readers in person to help spread word of mouth. (So, no, I don't think social media is the answer, if that is a question.) Most of all, keep writing. More work generates more readers.
Janet, this is incredibly grounding and honestly refreshing to hear in a space where everything is often pushed toward digital first solutions.
What you said about starting local and building outward really reframes the idea of growth. It’s easy to overlook how powerful those in-person moments are, but they seem to create a level of trust and word of mouth that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
At the same time, it feels like there’s an interesting intersection forming where those real world connections don’t replace digital presence, but quietly extend it. Almost like the in-person experience becomes the foundation, and everything else simply amplifies what’s already working.
I’m curious have you seen authors successfully carry that momentum from classrooms or book clubs into a more sustained reader relationship over time, or does it tend to stay rooted in those local circles?
Really appreciate you sharing this it adds a lot of clarity to what actually moves the needle right now. and also if i did ask are you an Author too?
I am and you can find more in my bio.
That’s amazing to hear!
If you don’t mind me asking, how long have you been on this journey? And what was the moment or inspiration that pushed you to start publishing your work? I’d really love to hear your story.
Congrats on the release of your new book!
These insights are helpful--I had heard of the closures and it's shocking. My heart goes out to librarians, too!!
Thanks!! And yes - librarians need us right now.
Congratulations on the launch of your new book, Janet! As always, thanks for all the info--depressing as it all is. I've gone indie. With the loss of all these imprints, and the fact that there's not a lot of support in promoting the books, I've decided that maybe it's the best way for me right now. (Fingers crossed!) My heart goes out to all the librarians out there, though. I just love the advocacy they provide for our kids...teachers too!
Yes, exactly!!! Librarians are true rock stars. The publishers I spoke to know what's happening and are beginning to count on us to be partners, which I think is good for all.
I love TLA; this makes me sad, but I'm not surprised. We all need to adjust... Glad you were able to go, though. Thanks for this thoughtful post!
Thanks - maybe one of these days we'll cross paths there! It's such a great venue. The S&S rep I had a nice chat with agreed - it's his favorite too.
Thank you for this!
You're so welcome!
This is tough to hear, but it's so necessary to stay informed. Thank you.
It's tough out there. But essential to keep informed so you can choose your next project not only from your heart but with a thought to the future needs, too.