Kathleen Schmidt
@kathmschmidt.bsky.social
President, KMSPR. Book publishing, marketing, consulting, strategy. I write Publishing Confidential on Substack.
Totally humbled that Publishing Confidential is number 6. Thank you to @writersdigest.bsky.social
www.writersdigest.com/writers-dige...
www.writersdigest.com/writers-dige...
Writer’s Digest Best Publishing News and Resource Websites 2026
Here are the best publishing news and resource websites as identified in the 28th Annual 101 Best Websites from the May/June 2026 issue of Writer's Digest.
www.writersdigest.com
August 8, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Totally humbled that Publishing Confidential is number 6. Thank you to @writersdigest.bsky.social
www.writersdigest.com/writers-dige...
www.writersdigest.com/writers-dige...
A client of mine who controls most of the billboards in Times Square treated me to one yesterday for the newsletter.
August 8, 2026 at 12:20 PM
A client of mine who controls most of the billboards in Times Square treated me to one yesterday for the newsletter.
Also, I am writing a book, etc. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Agate Teams with Publishing Veteran Kathleen Schmidt
Schmidt, who writes the widely read industry newsletter Publishing Confidential, will bring her classes for authors to Agate’s Publishing Academy next year. Agate also acquired Schmidt’s untitled guid...
www.publishersweekly.com
August 7, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Also, I am writing a book, etc. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
I'm rarely here, but I wrote this last Friday, which has led to lots of other things. Give it a read. kathleenschmidt.substack.com/p/ai-accusat...
AI Accusations and Book Publishing
Things can't go on like this.
kathleenschmidt.substack.com
August 7, 2026 at 2:37 PM
I'm rarely here, but I wrote this last Friday, which has led to lots of other things. Give it a read. kathleenschmidt.substack.com/p/ai-accusat...
This was great, and I appreciate Lincoln and JP's perspectives.
I had a good time chatting AI, writing, and literary scandals with @jpbrammer.bsky.social and @kathmschmidt.bsky.social ! post.substack.com/p/an-authors...
An author’s $2 million book deal was pulled over suspected AI use. Where does publishing go from here?
Three writers jump in a Google doc to discuss the fallout from this most recent literary scandal and debate the future of the industry in the shadow of AI
post.substack.com
August 7, 2026 at 2:34 PM
This was great, and I appreciate Lincoln and JP's perspectives.
My thoughts on the current nonfiction book market. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
The Nonfiction Conundrum
Is Nonfiction in trouble?
open.substack.com
March 30, 2026 at 11:58 AM
My thoughts on the current nonfiction book market. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
This depresses me. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Book Output Topped Four Million in 2025
The total number of books published in the U.S. in 2025 jumped 32.5% over 2024, according to statistics compiled by Bowker, led by a boom in self-published titles. The number of traditionally publishe...
www.publishersweekly.com
March 17, 2026 at 3:04 PM
This depresses me. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
I hate that I had to write this. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
BREAKING NEWS: The USA Today Bestseller List is a Joke
If they can't get it right, they should stop publishing it.
open.substack.com
March 11, 2026 at 3:59 PM
I hate that I had to write this. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
Um, USA Today put the two new ACOTAR books on their bestseller list. Book 6 isn’t out until Oct 2026, and Book 7 isn’t out until Jan 2027. This is why bestseller lists are b.s.
March 11, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Um, USA Today put the two new ACOTAR books on their bestseller list. Book 6 isn’t out until Oct 2026, and Book 7 isn’t out until Jan 2027. This is why bestseller lists are b.s.
I don't think anyone will acquire this for $2M. www.geo.tv/latest/65470...
Sarah Ferguson's $2M memoir dream hits publishing wall
Sarah Ferguson had hoped to turn her life story into a lucrative publishing deal in the United States, but insiders claim the plan has hit a firm wall in the American book market.The 66-year-old forme...
www.geo.tv
March 9, 2026 at 4:26 PM
I don't think anyone will acquire this for $2M. www.geo.tv/latest/65470...
People are DEFINITELY going to have feelings about this. Gift link: www.wsj.com/business/med...
Exclusive | Simon & Schuster Names Former Amazon Executive Greg Greeley as CEO
The publisher is turning to an industry outsider as expanded entertainment options squeeze the book business.
www.wsj.com
March 9, 2026 at 3:21 PM
People are DEFINITELY going to have feelings about this. Gift link: www.wsj.com/business/med...
AWP is so overwhelming the first time. I like it, though.
March 6, 2026 at 5:47 PM
AWP is so overwhelming the first time. I like it, though.
If you’re going to AWP, and plan to stay at the Hyatt Inner Harbor, I have news: they oversold it. I’m in one half of a suite w a pullout couch. Some guy told me they tried to put him in a conference room.
March 6, 2026 at 12:56 AM
If you’re going to AWP, and plan to stay at the Hyatt Inner Harbor, I have news: they oversold it. I’m in one half of a suite w a pullout couch. Some guy told me they tried to put him in a conference room.
Can someone please come over and pack my bag for AWP? I don’t know what to wear.
March 5, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Can someone please come over and pack my bag for AWP? I don’t know what to wear.
My tombstone will read: She could be guilted into attending events.
March 4, 2026 at 11:06 PM
My tombstone will read: She could be guilted into attending events.
If you’re going to AWP this week, come say hi.
March 4, 2026 at 9:18 PM
If you’re going to AWP this week, come say hi.
If you're heading to AWP in Baltimore next week--I'll be there, too. Here is my panel. Come say hi.
February 27, 2026 at 7:15 PM
If you're heading to AWP in Baltimore next week--I'll be there, too. Here is my panel. Come say hi.
FYI, I will be on NPR’s All Things Considered at 5:40 PM or 7:40 PM EST tonight. I’m talking about the current media landscape as it pertains to books.
February 24, 2026 at 9:30 PM
FYI, I will be on NPR’s All Things Considered at 5:40 PM or 7:40 PM EST tonight. I’m talking about the current media landscape as it pertains to books.
The title is self-explanatory. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
Why is Simon & Schuster Publishing a Guide to Prison?
And what will Coach's book charms do for the industry?
open.substack.com
February 24, 2026 at 6:04 PM
The title is self-explanatory. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
Publishing, what are we doing here? A guidebook to prison?https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/taylor-sheridan-first-book-how-to-not-die-in-prison-1236513557/
And Now Taylor Sheridan Is an Author
'How to Not Die in Prison' will be published in June by Simon & Schuster, which used to be owned by Paramount.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
February 24, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Publishing, what are we doing here? A guidebook to prison?https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/taylor-sheridan-first-book-how-to-not-die-in-prison-1236513557/
Today's newsletter: open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
What Happens to Book Publicity Now?
Plus, an update about Publishing Confidential
open.substack.com
February 23, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Today's newsletter: open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
Publishers are going to have to consider this equal time nonsense/networks bowing down when they want to acquire books by politicians. www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
FCC Chair to Hollywood: Talk Shows Aren’t Legitimate News
ABC's 'The View' is currently under investigation over an interview with Texas State Rep. James Talarico, after which it didn't meet FCC requirements that would've allowed his opponents equal time.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
February 19, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Publishers are going to have to consider this equal time nonsense/networks bowing down when they want to acquire books by politicians. www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
I wrote about the disappearing book review landscape. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
Are "Review-Driven" Books Still Feasible?
The book review landscape has been diminishing for a decade. It's time to be realistic about what's truly possible for a book.
open.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 8:31 PM
I wrote about the disappearing book review landscape. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
He loves this toy that he’s going to destroy.
February 11, 2026 at 6:37 PM
He loves this toy that he’s going to destroy.