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Market Trends
Learn what’s selling and what’s not—for traditionally published authors and indies alike.
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“The Hot Sheet is The Economist of publishing but a lot easier to read.”
Michael Larsen
Author coach and former literary agent
The Hot Sheet is delivered every 2 weeks via email.
Here’s what you’ll find in every issue.
Top headlines
Every issue leads with efficient summaries of important news for writers. Stay up-to-date on what everyone is talking about.
Three in-depth articles with bottom-line takeaways
For topics that merit further explanation—any story that might retain meaning for your long-term decision making—we delve deeper, with informed analysis and perspective. Get nuanced insights on complex issues that affect all authors.
New opportunities and ventures
We gather up announcements of new publishing imprints, literary agents, reviewers, podcasts, and anything else that might represent an opportunity or a signal as to where the market is headed.
Links of interest
Every issue includes links to 10-20 other stories being shared and discussed in the writing and publishing community. These are categorized to help you quickly identify what’s relevant to you.
Closing image
Each issue ends with statistics or data points about the market, from reliable sources.
An award-winning resource you can trust
We offer Authors Guild members a subscription discount—and Hot Sheet subscribers receive a discount on Authors Guild membership.
In 2020, The Hot Sheet was named Media Outlet of the Year by Digital Book World. Publisher Jane Friedman was also honored as Publishing Commentator of the Year in 2019.
The Hot Sheet is a partner member of the Alliance of Independent Authors, meaning we are recognized as a trusted resource for authors.
Keep up with the changes underway in publishing
Without fear of missing out, you can stop looking through comment threads or social media channels where everyone has a conflicting opinion. We’ll present the most important facts and perspectives you need to know.
Get experienced analysis and interpretation
We’ve been in the publishing industry for more than 20 years, working for small and large operations, and at an executive level. We know the histories and biases of all the players.
Take a front-row seat at industry events and conferences
Since 2004, we have spoken at and attended major industry shows, such as BookExpo America, Digital Book World, London Book Fair, and more. We attend events every year for the sole purpose of reporting back to you on trends.
Benefit from us reading dozens of industry publications on your behalf
We read all of the industry magazines and newsletters (some of which are quite expensive), and cherry-pick the information relevant for authors. We also scan popular blogs, message boards, and communities to bring you news of important discussions.
What our subscribers say
I’m really enjoying The Hot Sheet. By placing issues that impact authors into timely context, it offers what amounts to next-step advice—exactly what writers need these days.
Kristin Nelson
Literary agentAuthors: You’ll love the publishing industry news in Hot Sheet (even if no hype or drama).
Orna Ross
Founder-Director of ALLiThe Hot Sheet gave us the right tip at the right time. I knew exactly what to pitch, when, and to whom.
Dr. Barbara Ellermeier
Author and consultantI was directed to a news feature about Aer.io and Ingram Content Group by The Hot Sheet. Holy distribution, Batman—this opens up a vast opportunity to authors!
Roz Morris
AuthorFull of publishing nitty-gritty and sharp analysis, The Hot Sheet fills a glaring gap for authors. I read every issue.
Donald Maass
Literary agentI love The Hot Sheet! It’s up there with Publishers Lunch as my go-to for industry information. It’s witty, approachable, and informative. Highly recommended.
Jessica Sinsheimer
Literary agent
Meet the founder and editor
Jane Friedman
Jane is the former publisher of Writer’s Digest and was one of the founding community members of Digital Book World. She now serves as a columnist for Publishers Weekly and is a full-time writer who works independently. Learn more.
Recent Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
We come out every two weeks on Wednesday, around noon Eastern Time.
The Hot Sheet is an email newsletter. Every issue will arrive via email.
The newsletter was founded in August 2015 by Jane Friedman and Porter Anderson. It is now published and edited by Jane Friedman.
You can see a couple of our older issues here and here that we released for free.
If you become a trial subscriber, we’re happy to send you the last four issues for free.
It lasts for 30 days or two issues.
It’s $59 per year.
Not at this time, but we’re working on it. If you become a paid subscriber, we’ll send you links to all back issues if you really want to go through them. (It won’t be searchable.)
If you become a trial subscriber, you’re welcome to ask and we’ll send you links to anything relevant we’ve published.
Yes. We offer discounts through many writers organizations, including Authors Guild and the Alliance of Independent Authors, among others. Check with your organization to see if a discount is in place. If not, have your group’s leadership reach out to us to arrange a member discount.
Yes, email us to inquire.
No.
I have to be one of the hardest sells on the planet. It’s not that I’m cheap—I’m a former INC. 500 entrepreneur and MBA professor, and the way I’m able to make a living writing fiction full time is with an extreme bootstrapping mentality.
My monthly expenses are virtually zero, which is why it took me a few months of thinking from every angle before I made a decision to pay for your newsletter so I would keep receiving it. For me to add even one penny to my monthly expenses, the product or service I’m paying for has to offer extreme, over-the-top value and not be available from any other source. (That’s exactly what I offer my fiction readers and why I’m able to make a living doing it.)
Staying on top of the publishing industry, and particularly indie publishing, is something I must do, and to be able to do it for five dollars a month is truly a bargain.
Mike Wells
author