I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be an author. Of course, I imagine many months (or years) of demanding work, slumped over a laptop at all hours of the day and night, trying to craft an unputdownable story. I also imagine the anxiety of submitting a query letter to an agent and waiting for word about whether they’re interested. Then I’d be subjected to endless revisions before receiving the first copy of the book and the excitement of the release date! Would I end up on the bestseller list? Would I get to do the glamorous stuff — the morning show circuit, the book tour, the movie premiere when my book was turned into a film?
I confess this dream is based on my imagination. I had very little knowledge of the publishing industry until a few weeks ago, when a small contingent of NoveList staff attended the U.S. Book Show. This one-day conference brings together publishers, authors, agents, editors, book sellers, and the media to discuss the state of the publishing industry.
By the end of the day, we realized there were a lot of takeaways that our friends in the library world would want (and need) to know about. After all, books are the core business of the library, and the work of the publishing industry has a direct impact on your library and community of readers. Here are three things we learned that are relevant to your library:
Book Publishing Trend #1: No one is sure exactly how AI will impact publishing.
We attended a panel featuring several representatives from companies that use artificial intelligence and machine learning to serve readers and authors. These panelists acknowledge a concern about copyright and the author’s ability to protect their work from being used by AI without their permission. They acknowledged that there is an emotional connection to print books that won’t go away anytime soon. But they also predicted that print books will become a luxury item, like vinyl records.
What this means for your library: As AI continues to evolve, your library can be a trusted source for authentic, human-created content and a champion of intellectual property rights. This is also a moment to reaffirm the value of print books and the emotional connection they foster, something that libraries are uniquely positioned to support.
Book Publishing Trend #2: Publishers are spending more time and energy promoting midlist authors.
The midlist author is a career writer who has built an audience over time by consistently releasing books with steady sales. For the publicists and publishers, these authors are valuable because of their loyal readers. They will create a boost of interest in their previous books each time they publish a new title.
What this means for your library: Midlist authors are often the hidden gems of your collection — dependable, prolific, and beloved by readers. So, when they release a new title, it's a chance for you to feature their backlist books in displays, newsletters, and reading recommendations. (By the way, NoveList Plus is a great place to find these hidden gems!) Consider hosting events that introduce them to new audiences. These authors may also be more accessible for library events than big-name debuts, and with a built-in audience of loyal readers, you’ll be sure to have an event that’s well attended.
Book Publishing Trend #3: Community and connection are central to book discovery.
Authors, publicists, and book marketing experts at the conference emphasized the importance of building a community around books and authors. Publishers and marketers told the crowd that readers are loyal to authors, not just books. They want to connect with the people behind the stories. Live author events, especially on platforms like TikTok, are driving engagement and book sales.
What this means for your library: You are perfectly positioned to take advantage of this trend. Those virtual and in-person author events your library already hosts are a fantastic way to foster connection. Listening to an author speak about their writing process, their inspirations, and their challenges makes them feel more real and relatable. This deepens readers’ emotional investment in both the author and their work.
Plus, hosting author talks positions the library as a vibrant cultural hub to connect, learn, and be inspired. Draw authors to your library by reminding them that they’ll get access to your existing reader base, which will make it easier for them to find an audience!
As the publishing world continues to evolve, libraries remain essential connectors between authors and readers. The trends we heard at the U.S. Book Show reaffirm the library’s role as a champion of authentic content, a platform for emerging voices, and a hub for community connection. At NoveList, we’re thinking deeply about how to support libraries in this work. We’re excited to keep learning, adapting, and sharing what we discover so your library can stay ahead of the curve and continue inspiring readers.
Angela Hursh is Manager of Library Engagement, Marketing, and Professional Development for NoveList. She is reading I Leave It Up to You by Jinwoo Chong.
