Kathleen Schmidt

writersdigest.comWriter’s Digest Best Publishing News and Resource Websites 2026Here 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.

Totally humbled that Publishing Confidential is number 6. Thank you to @writersdigest.bsky.social www.writersdigest.com/writers-dige...

8 Aug

A client of mine who controls most of the billboards in Times Square treated me to one yesterday for the newsletter.

publishersweekly.comAgate Teams with Publishing Veteran Kathleen SchmidtSchmidt, 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...

7 Aug

Also, I am writing a book, etc. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

kathleenschmidt.substack.comAI Accusations and Book PublishingThings can't go on like this.

7 Aug

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...

7 Aug

This was great, and I appreciate Lincoln and JP's perspectives.

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thewrap.comNew York Times Cuts Ties With Book Review Writer Over AI Use | ExclusiveThe New York Times has cut ties with a freelancer of his reliance on AI.

30 Mar

This is bad. www.thewrap.com/media-platfo...

open.substack.comThe Nonfiction ConundrumIs Nonfiction in trouble?

30 Mar

My thoughts on the current nonfiction book market. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...

publishersweekly.comBook Output Topped Four Million in 2025The 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...

17 Mar

This depresses me. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

open.substack.comBREAKING NEWS: The USA Today Bestseller List is a JokeIf they can't get it right, they should stop publishing it.

11 Mar

I hate that I had to write this. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...

11 Mar

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.

geo.tvSarah Ferguson's $2M memoir dream hits publishing wallSarah 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...

9 Mar

I don't think anyone will acquire this for $2M. www.geo.tv/latest/65470...

wsj.comExclusive | Simon & Schuster Names Former Amazon Executive Greg Greeley as CEOThe publisher is turning to an industry outsider as expanded entertainment options squeeze the book business.

9 Mar

People are DEFINITELY going to have feelings about this. Gift link: www.wsj.com/business/med...

6 Mar

AWP is so overwhelming the first time. I like it, though.

6 Mar

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.

5 Mar

Can someone please come over and pack my bag for AWP? I don’t know what to wear.

4 Mar

My tombstone will read: She could be guilted into attending events.

4 Mar

If you’re going to AWP this week, come say hi.

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27 Feb

If you're heading to AWP in Baltimore next week--I'll be there, too. Here is my panel. Come say hi.

24 Feb

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.

open.substack.comWhy is Simon & Schuster Publishing a Guide to Prison?And what will Coach's book charms do for the industry?

24 Feb

The title is self-explanatory. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...

hollywoodreporter.comAnd 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.

24 Feb

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/

open.substack.comWhat Happens to Book Publicity Now?Plus, an update about Publishing Confidential

23 Feb

Today's newsletter: open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...

hollywoodreporter.comFCC Chair to Hollywood: Talk Shows Aren’t Legitimate NewsABC'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.

19 Feb

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...

open.substack.comAre "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.

17 Feb

I wrote about the disappearing book review landscape. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...

11 Feb

He loves this toy that he’s going to destroy.

11 Feb

I have been listening to the audiobook of Virginia Guiffre's memoir. What happened to her and all the survivors is horrific. It cannot be ignored.

emptywheel@emptywheel.bsky.social

Jamie Raskin uses his introductory statement to introduce a bunch of the survivors, sitting right behind Pam Bondi.

nytimes.comThe Book Jackets Were Ready. Then Charlie Kirk Was Shot.

11 Feb

Not a single conservative publisher would have given a book a second thought if the tables were turned. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/b...

10 Feb

He’s happy because he just destroyed a stuffed toy.

open.substack.comRomance, AI, and The New York TimesNot all publicity is good publicity.

9 Feb

I wrote about yesterday’s NYT piece where we met authors who “write” romance using AI. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...

open.substack.comHOW TO HELP MINNESOTAPlus, a personal story from me. Book Therapy will resume next Friday.

30 Jan

I wrote something personal + listed ways to help Minnesota. Please pass it along. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...

youtu.beBruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen

28 Jan

Really proud of my husband for working crazy hours yesterday to help get this out today. Springsteen, Streets of Minneapolis. youtu.be/wWKSoxG1K7w?...

open.substack.comA Tale of Three Bestseller ListsBelle Burden's book 'Strangers' is #1 on the NYT Nonfiction Hardcover Bestseller List. Other bestseller lists tell a different story.

27 Jan

Yesterday, I wrote a piece about Belle Burden's book and why it should not be #1 on the NYT Bestseller List. It's pretty egregious of the Times, IMO. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...

commabookshop.comComma, a bookshopIndependent bookstore in Linden Hills, Minneapolis, offering fiction, nonfiction, young adult, and Minnesota-made gifts

17 Jan

This indie bookstore in MN is doing good work for people. Give them business. www.commabookshop.com

standwithminnesota.comStand With MinnesotaA directory of places to give to as Minnesota defends itself from ICE occupation

17 Jan

Here’s a website with all the ways you can help people in Minnesota. Pass it on. www.standwithminnesota.com

podcasts.apple.comWhat Needs to Change in the Publishing IndustryPodcast Episode · Otherppl with Brad Listi · 01/13/2026 · 1h 21m

13 Jan

Had a great convo with @bradlisti.bsky.social on his podcast. Take a listen. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...

13 Jan

We had a great convo.

Brad Listi@bradlisti.bsky.social

Tomorrow on the program, I'll be talking w Kathleen Schmidt about what needs to change in publishing in 2026. Kathleen has guested multiple times before, and every time we talk, it's enlightening and thought-provoking. Don't miss it! 🎧 Available tomorrow wherever you get your podcasts.

open.substack.comWhy Advertising Doesn't Work for BooksAuthors often ask me about paying for ads. The truth is, book ad campaigns rarely translate into sales.

7 Jan

I wrote about why advertising doesn't work for books. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...

publishersweekly.comTrump-Aligned Law Firm Files Civil Rights Complaint Against PRHAmerica First Legal, founded by Stephen Miller, has asked the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate Penguin Random House’s DEI policies and programs, which it called “apparent ra...

18 Dec 2025

My response to this is: stop publishing books with ideology from the right. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

open.substack.comAn Interview with the CEO of Books-A-MillionTerry Finley, the CEO of Books-A-Million, was nice enough to answer some questions.

16 Dec 2025

The CEO of Books-A-Million was nice enough to answer some q's for the newsletter. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...

about.netflix.comNetflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Following the Separation of Discovery Global for a Total Enterprise Value of $82.7 Billion (Equity Value of $72.0 Billion) - About Netflix

5 Dec 2025

It’s official. Netflix has acquired Warner Bros. about.netflix.com/en/news/netf...

open.substack.comDepression, Grief, and TurkeyThings are not always merry and bright for some people during the holidays. Here's what NOT to say to them.

The holidays can be tough. I wrote about what NOT to say to people experiencing depression or grief. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...

nytimes.comThe Key to Their 50-Year Marriages and Close-Knit Families? Friendship.

A great story. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/n...

Something people need to understand: There’s no code to crack in book publishing.

washingtonian.comCrisis PR Experts Have Advice for Olivia Nuzzi and Ryan Lizza - WashingtonianPR experts rate responses to DC's latest sex scandal. How are Olivia Nuzzi, Ryan Lizza, RFK Jr., Cheryl Hines, Mark Sanford, and Keith Olbermann handling it?

They’re not wrong. washingtonian.com/2025/11/24/c...

defector.comJohn Fetterman's Memoir Is As Low-Effort As His Senate Tenure | DefectorJohn Fetterman’s just-released memoir, Unfettered, argues that he’s turned a corner and has everything under control. Fetterman was a “stubborn asshole” (his words), he was clinically depressed, he wa...

23 Nov 2025

$1.2M advance down the drain. defector.com/john-fetterm...

newyorker.comA Battle with My BloodWhen I was diagnosed with leukemia, my first thought was that this couldn’t be happening to me, to my family.

22 Nov 2025

This is heartbreaking. www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...