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Behind the Pages: Books About the Publishing Industry
15 items
By
Bibliophiles' Corner
A deep dive into the business, challenges, and evolution of publishing.
5
A must-read on how to create books (and products) that stand the test of time in a fast-changing market.
The Perennial Seller – Ryan Holiday
An in-depth look at the modern publishing world, from Big Five publishers to indie presses.
Merchants of Culture – John B. Thompson
Perfect for aspiring authors, this book explains how to turn writing into a sustainable career.
The Business of Being a Writer – Jane Friedman
An analysis of what makes a book a bestseller using data and algorithms.
The Bestseller Code by Matthew Jockers, Jodie Archer
A behind-the-scenes look at the making of a bestseller in traditional publishing.
Vanity Fair's How a Book is Born: The Making of The Art of Fielding|
A memoir about working in a literary agency and handling J.D. Salinger’s fan mail.
My Salinger Year - Joanna Rakoff
A textbook-style deep dive into how publishing really works.
Inside Book Publishing – Giles Clark & Angus Phillips
A fun and inspiring look at how even legendary books faced rejection before success.
Pushcart's Complete Rotten Reviews and Rejections: A History of Insult, A Solace to Writers - André Bernard, Bill Henderson
Not just for grammar nerds—this book is the industry standard for editing and publishing.
The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition
Explores how Brooklyn became a literary hotspot and its influence on publishing.
Literary Brooklyn – Evan Hughes
A practical guide on how psychology and neuroscience shape character development in books.
The Science of Writing Characters – Kira-Anne Pelican
An updated overview of how digital publishing has changed the industry.
The Publishing Business – Kelvin Smith & Melanie Ramdarshan Bold
While about storytelling, this book is essential for understanding what makes a story sell.
The Writer’s Journey - Christopher Vogler
A fascinating memoir from an editor who worked with some of the greatest authors of the 20th century.
Stet: An Editor’s Life – Diana Athill
A collection of essays from top editors explaining their role in shaping books and authors.
What Editors Do – Peter Ginna