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Ask the Editor
Reader questions about publishing, answered by The Publishing Times editorial desk.
What rights should I never sign away in a publishing contract?
When reviewing a traditional publishing contract, you should never sign away your moral rights, your underlying copyright, or subsidiary rights that the publisher has no concrete plan to actively exploit. Publishers are in the business of selling books, but…
What does a literary agent actually do, and do I really need one?
A literary agent acts as your business manager, creative champion, and contractual shield in the publishing industry. While self-publishing authors or those targeting boutique independent presses can bypass one, securing a traditional Big Five deal…
How do audiobook royalties work, and should I go with ACX or Findaway Voices?
Audiobook royalties depend entirely on whether you choose an exclusive distribution model or a wide strategy, with ACX offering high royalties for exclusivity and Findaway Voices enabling global, multi-platform reach. Navigating this landscape requires…
How do I find beta readers who give genuinely useful feedback?
Finding beta readers who deliver insightful, constructive critique rather than generic praise is one of the toughest hurdles an author faces. To get truly useful feedback, you must actively curate your readers, provide them with specific structural questions,…
What is the best way to handle a rights reversion request from a publisher?
Handling a rights reversion request requires a meticulous, professional approach that protects your backlist while ensuring a smooth transition. You must verify that the contract's out-of-print clauses have officially been triggered before taking any…
What is the difference between a book proposal and a query letter?
A query letter is a one-page sales pitch designed to hook an agent's interest, whereas a book proposal is a comprehensive 20-to-50-page business plan primarily required for non-fiction. While the query introduces your project and platform with narrative…
How long should I wait before following up on a query letter submission?
When it comes to following up on a query letter, patience is not just a virtue; it is a strict professional requirement. Generally speaking, you should wait until the literary agent or editor's stated response window has completely closed before sending a…
How do I write a compelling first chapter that hooks agents and readers?
Writing a compelling first chapter is less about manufacturing cheap explosions and more about establishing immediate narrative tension, character voice, and a clear sense of orientation. Agents and readers do not need all the answers on page one, but they…
What is the ideal launch strategy for a first-time self-published author?
For a first-time self-published author, the ideal launch strategy hinges on building pre-orders, securing early reviews, and avoiding the temptation to spend your entire budget on day-one advertising. Instead of a single explosive flash in the pan, a…
What is the best way to choose categories and keywords on Amazon KDP?
Choosing the right Amazon KDP categories and keywords is not a guessing game; it is a calculated exercise in data mining and reader psychology. If you rely solely on Amazon's broad top-level dropdown menus, your book will be swallowed whole by bestsellers…
How do I get my book into libraries through IngramSpark or OverDrive?
Getting your self-published book into libraries requires understanding the specific digital and physical distribution channels that librarians actually use to make purchasing decisions. Through platforms like IngramSpark and OverDrive, success comes down to…
What is the best way to write a series without losing readers between books?
Writing a successful book series requires balancing a satisfying standalone arc with a compelling overarching narrative that compels readers to immediately buy the next installment. The secret to retaining your audience lies not just in a gripping…
How do I get book bloggers and BookTok creators to review my book?
Landing reviews from book bloggers and BookTok creators requires treating them like professional partners rather than free marketing channels. You must research their specific tastes, pitch them concisely, and respect their time and platform norms if you want…
How do I build an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) team before my book launches?
Building a successful Advance Reader Copy (ARC) team requires starting at least three to four months before your release date and targeting readers who actively review books in your specific genre. Relying on friends and family or random social media…
What is a reasonable advance for a debut novel in today's market?
For a debut novelist entering today's traditional publishing market, a reasonable advance typically ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 for mid-tier commercial fiction and nonfiction, though high-profile literary fiction or buzzy YA can occasionally command six…
What is the most common structural mistake debut novelists make?
The single most common structural mistake debut novelists make is starting their story too early with exposition or throat-clearing, rather than dropping the reader directly into the crucible of conflict. This usually stems from a well-intentioned desire to…
How should I price my KDP ebook for maximum royalties and visibility?
When it comes to pricing your KDP ebook for maximum royalties and visibility, the sweet spot for independent authors is almost universally between $2.99 and $4.99. Pricing in this range unlocks the coveted 70% royalty tier while remaining impulse-buy friendly…
How do Big Five publishers decide which books to acquire?
When a Big Five publisher decides to acquire a book, they are not just buying a piece of writing; they are investing in a commercial product that must justify its existence on a corporate P&L sheet. Editors act as internal champions, but the final green light…
How do I know when my manuscript is ready to submit or self-publish?
Deciding when a manuscript is truly ready for the world is the ultimate test of an author's discipline and emotional detachment. Your book is ready only when you have exhausted your own revisions, incorporated rigorous beta reader feedback, and accepted that…
How should I handle negative reviews on Amazon — respond, or ignore?
Dear Writer, the golden rule of handling negative Amazon reviews is absolute, unyielding silence. Engaging with a dissatisfied reader on a retailer platform almost always backfires, dragging you into a public feud and drawing unnecessary algorithmic attention…
How do I write a back-cover blurb that actually converts browsers into buyers?
Writing a high-converting back-cover blurb requires abandoning the plot summary approach and treating your book description as a piece of direct-response copywriting. You must hook the reader emotionally, introduce the stakes, and end with an irresistible…
How important is a newsletter for authors, and how do I grow one?
An author newsletter is not just important; it is the single most critical owned asset in your entire publishing career, superseding social media followers by a factor of ten. Unlike rented land on algorithms like Instagram or TikTok, your email list belongs…
What is the difference between ISBN and ASIN, and do I need my own ISBN?
An ISBN is a global standard for tracking physical and digital book editions across all retailers, while an ASIN is Amazon's internal inventory tracking number assigned automatically to products on its platform. Whether you need your own ISBN depends entirely…
How do I protect my book idea before it is published?
The short, unflinching answer is that you cannot protect a raw book idea because copyright law does not protect ideas, only their specific expression. Obsessing over non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) is a rookie mistake that will alienate agents and publishers…