The Navigator Company’s Post

A world that still believes in the power of books In 2024, the global book market touched an incredible $151 billion—and more than 3 billion printed books found their way into readers’ hands. For authors and writers, this is proof that stories still matter. For readers and book lovers, it’s a reminder that turning pages is far from over—it’s thriving. 📚 Highlights from 2024: Fiction is rising fast – India (+30.7%), Mexico (+20.7%), Brazil (+16.4%), Spain (+12.0%), Portugal (+11.4%). Romance & Fantasy lead the way. Non-fiction slows down, but children’s and YA books show promise in 9 regions. Growth strongest in India (+27.0%), Mexico (+12.6%), and Brazil (+10.4%). While markets like the US, Germany, and France remained steady, India and Africa are emerging as the next frontiers of reading growth. The future of publishing is not just about numbers—it’s about voices, imagination, and the readers who keep the magic alive. #Authors #Writers #Readers #Books #Publishing #Storytelling #Fiction #GlobalTrends

FAQ on Publishing - Timelines If I had a dollar for every time a first-time author asks about the timeline for their book publication, I would have a boat somewhere. Well, the truth is there isn't a specific timeline for a book publication. The timeline is contingent on a lot of factors which I would break into four major headlines. - Manuscript readiness Is the manuscript complete (draft wise). Has it been edited? Is the cover ready? Has the manuscript been formatted? Is there a need for index? What about the ISBN? etc. All of these questions and the timeline for their completion need to be taken into consideration while discussing book publication timelines - Author's involvement Has the author completed the manuscript? Is the author ready for the back and forth of edits with the editor? Is there an author bio ready? Has the cover been approved by the author? What does the author think about the formatting style of the book? Is there any more content to be added to the manuscript or is it the final copy? I'll stop with the two today. A lot of the time, authors don't realise that the work of publishing doesn't stop at a complete manuscript. Involvement in the process is still very much required especially if you are hoping for a short publication timeline. Do let me know if there are any other questions as regarding book publication timelines you would like answered. Feel free to mention other questions I might have left out that need answering as it concerns manuscript readiness and author's involvement in determining publication timelines. #bookpublication #bookpublicationFAQ #manuscriptreadiness #authorinvolvement #authors #books #bookpublicationtimelines

How polished do your sample chapters need to be before you submit them to a scholarly book publisher (along with your book proposal)? My general advice is that sample chapters should be about as polished as a first submission would be for a peer reviewed journal article. You want to make a strong first impression, but everyone knows that revisions will be coming before the chapters are in their final form. Although your sample chapters don't need to be 100% perfect when sending them to an acquiring editor, do watch out for is anything in your sample chapters that might signal "unrevised dissertation" because publishers and peer reviewers sometimes get stuck on that stuff and take it to mean the manuscript isn't ready to be considered as a book. Make sure the book's central argument and big-picture message (as described in your book proposal) is coming across in the sample chapters, and keep the focus on your original evidence and analysis (vs. methodological discussions, literature review, etc.). I've seen pretty rough stuff get past the first round with acquiring editors and even peer reviewers, but you do want the big ideas to come across well in order for them to see the potential contributions of the project (and to have faith that you *can* turn this manuscript into a publishable book, even if some revision is still necessary). For more answers to frequently asked questions about sample chapters, see the Manuscript Works archive (link in comments).

FAQ on Publishing - Timelines Yesterday, I began the series, FAQ on Publishing answering your question about timelines. I talked about how manuscript readiness and author involvement play a big part in determining book publication timelines. Today, I continue with two other factors that determine book publication timelines. - Publication type The type of publication you intend to do is a factor in your publication timeline. What I mean by that is this, do you intend to self-publish or use an existing publisher? Self-publishing would definitely be a quicker timeline if you have a short time. With existing publishers, you would have to factor in that, the publisher probably already has a lot on their plate and that determines their ability to take on your book project. - Resource availability Personally, this has to be the factor least considered by authors when thinking book publication timelines and I cannot fathom why. Book publishing is an expensive venture like most projects so it would be odd not to put the availability of funds into consideration while thinking timelines. In fact, I opine that the availability of resources should be one of the first things to consider while determining your timeline because it would either speed up your book process or greatly slow it down. On that note, manuscript readiness, author involvement, publication type and resource availability are factors that determine the timeline of your book publication. If you are an intending author, make sure to answer the questions mentioned and you are halfway ready to get your book in your hands. Which of the listed questions to answer are you just learning about? And if you are an intending author, what stage is your book at? #bookpublishing #publicationtype #resourceavailability #BookPublishingFAQ #authors #intendingauthors

⚠️ Publishers are undermining reading ⚠️ I say this as an editor and author, something is breaking in the book chain. For many years, publishing was a space for care, time, and commitment to voices that deserved to be read. Today, however, the balance seems to have shifted; prices are rising, physical and editorial quality is suffering, and creative decisions are being made based more on metrics than on the pages themselves. And that has a cost that is not measured in sales, but in trust. When readers feel that profit margins are being prioritized over experience, they cease to be readers and become mere consumers. As book professionals, we should ask ourselves the following questions: 📚 What kind of industry do we want to build? 📈 One that thrives on immediate momentum or one that cultivates readers in the long term? The publishers that will ‘resist’ are those that understand that profitability and quality are not opposites, but complementary. Those that return to publishing with purpose, not greed. Because, in the end, reading is not destroyed at once; it is fading slowly, book by book, when we forget that the reader is our most valuable partner. #Publishers #Books #Reading #PublishingIndustry #CulturalManagement #PublishingStrategy #Authors #Culture #Editing

When I'm working on longer research projects (like a book!), actually writing the thing is something I used to find hard. I don't, really, anymore. In this video I talk about why and offer some (hopefully useful!) suggestions on how to keep making progress. https://lnkd.in/e9PSnbnq

Fiction vs. Non-Fiction Working in eBook production, the subject of genre often comes up. Genre is important for publishing and marketing, but from a literary perspective, it is not always simple to divide books into “fiction” and “non-fiction.” This division can be misleading. Fiction is often dismissed as something “made up,” while non-fiction is seen as simply “the facts.” In reality, non-fiction often borrows from fiction. Biographies, for example, use storytelling techniques such as characters, scenes, and suspense rather than just listing facts, e.g., The Life of Samuel Johnson (James Boswell, 1791) and Steve Jobs (Walter Isaacson, 2011). At the same time, if fiction is only imagination, why are novels frequently banned? e.g., The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini, 2003) and Animal Farm (George Orwell, 1945). In many cases, fiction reveals the truth more effectively than non-fiction. Thus, fiction and non-fiction are not opposites. They depend on each other to make sense of our world.

Researching for a book may feel overwhelming, but with the right strategy, it can be a rewarding journey. Here are Eight Tips for a Successful Book Research: Tip 1: Start with the Basics Begin by familiarizing yourself with the key figures and background information of your topic. This foundation will guide your research. Tip 2: Utilize Online Resources Tap into digital archives, journals, and articles. The internet provides an endless stream of information—make sure to cross-reference your sources for accuracy. Tip 3: Find Primary Sources Use firsthand accounts like letters, diaries, and interviews to gain deeper insights. Primary sources add authenticity and depth to your narrative. Tip 4: Visit Museums and Libraries For hands-on research, visit local museums or libraries. Engaging with original artifacts and documents can open up new perspectives. Tip 5: Network with Writers and Researchers Collaboration can enhance your research. Other writers and researchers might share valuable resources and unique perspectives. Tip 6: Ask Questions Always dig deeper. Asking questions during your research process often leads to new discoveries that enrich your book. Tip 7: Take Notes & Stay Organized Keep detailed notes and document all sources. This will help you track your research and ensure accuracy. Tip 8: Have Fun & Stay Flexible Enjoy the process! Stay open to surprises, and let curiosity guide your research. #BookResearch #WritersCommunity #ResearchTips #AuthorLife #WritingJourney #HistoricalResearch #CreativeWriting #BookWriting

Want to break through in traditional publishing? Our new article explains each crucial phase of the book publishing process, empowering authors with expert insights. Start reading: https://lnkd.in/e4vkSAzH