This is my Insecure Writers Support Group post for July 2026.
Please stop by their blogs and say thank you.
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July question - Is there anything you'd like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?
Increased discoverability
I despise dependency on Amazon’s algorithms. Every time I figure it out, it changes. I want search engines to reward quality and backlist titles, rather than just rapid-release trends and ad spend.
And if an ad glitch messes up my sales, at least restore my rank when it's fixed.
Bring back the gatekeepers... sort of
I don't want to go back to the Big 5 system, obviously, but I hope retailers can figure out a way to stop the flood of AI slop (books written by AI and published without being edited for quality). Anyone can publish crap, but AI has turbo-charged it.
Bring back book reviews
I don't like the star-rating-only change at Amazon. I wish they would go back to requiring people to write a review.
Data hoarding
I would like better data from The Zon. (Ex: Are those KU page reads the result of a few customers reading the entire book or many reading part of it and stopping?)
Brick & mortar
I want a better bridge between indies and brick-and-mortar stores, distribution models that make it financially feasible for local bookstores to stock self-published books.
I'm sure there are more, but that's all I can think of at the moment.
I'll end on a high note...
One positive change has been the development of software (PWA, Atticus, etc.) that gives us tools to edit and format our own books. It cuts costs while still allowing us to publish a quality product. And the control freak in me loves it! LOL
Have a fun, safe 4th!
Celebrating 250 years of freedom!
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IWSG is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. It's a monthly blog hop that offers a safe haven for writers to express their feelings and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. It's also a venue for offering support, both in the form of comments and positive posts. Writers of all kinds are welcome.
We 'meet' the first Wednesday of every month. If you're interested in learning more, click on the link above. And don't be intimidated by the size of the group. We're not expected to visit everyone on the list.
AI slop has been mentioned more than once already today. It's a serious issue.
ReplyDeleteIt is.
Delete250 years of freedom! Oh yeah!
ReplyDeleteI hear you about the algroithms, and not just on Amazon -- every social media where we promote our materials. They change things so often that it's impossible to keep up.
Agree! Facebook is nothing but ads and shadow-banning anymore.
DeleteYes, the algorithms everywhere are so messed up.
ReplyDeleteThey are!
DeleteYes, we need gatekeepers to keep Al books out of publishing.
ReplyDeleteYup. Unedited AI is a scourge.
DeleteIncreased discoverability is a must, Melissa, for sure. "AI slop" is the perfect term for books NOT created by humans. And I will never understand social media or algorithms. Happy IWSG day!
ReplyDeleteSame to you! :)
DeleteI'm working over IWSG this month, so my return visits will be delayed. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteCheers for increased discoverability, Melissa! I'm all for flushing AI slop down the toilet. Happy Independence Day!
ReplyDeleteSame to you! :)
DeleteYes to all of these except maybe requiring reviews (because I'm lazy). I especially like your point about creating a better bridge between indie publishing and bookstores. That's one of the reasons I hesitate to go indie. I'd really like to have physical books available for sale in bookstores.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya. (I'm lazy, too.) My issue with star-only ratings is that I come across books that are low quality (IMO) but have a 4+ star average. I've gotten better at vetting book purchases, but I like to read what people liked and didn't like about the book. Good reviews have both led me to some great books and helped me avoid some duds.
DeleteAI is a scourge on the world in so many ways. I've given up on trying to understand or leverage the algorithms at Amazon or anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteI've resigned myself to just writing as many quality books as I can as fast as I can and linking them in the backmatter, so readers can leapfrog from one to the next in the series. That's the best way I know to get the best sales regardless of what Amazon does. I also run Amazon and FB ads, but I'm careful not to overspend.
Delete