iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 29/07/2026

I would call this the agent issue if it weren't for the continual drip-drip of AI dramas that require commentary. (Sending today at noon EDT as usual, free & paid editions: janefriedman.com/subscribe-pa...)

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 24/07/2026

The audiobook edition is now available, narrated by Erin Grassie! I know some of you were asking when this would release even before the print edition came out. It's now here. 🥳

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 19/01/2026

Later this month: I'll be speaking at the IBPA and BookLife Boot Camp, where author @russellnohelty.com and I will discuss how authors can control their own destiny, leverage their intellectual property, and build their audiences. Learn more: www.ibpa-online.org/store/viewpr...

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 27/06/2025

There have been two significant court rulings on AI & copyright this week, related to whether AI companies can train on books without permission/licensing from the rights holders. Here’s a handy comparison chart of the two rulings. Source: chatgptiseatingtheworld.com/2025/06/26/1...

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 27/06/2025

There have been two significant court rulings on AI & copyright use this week, related to whether AI companies can train on books without permission/licensing from the rights holders. Here’s a handy comparison chart of the two rulings. Source: chatgptiseatingtheworld.com/2025/06/26/1...

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 18/06/2025

For the first time, I'll be delivering the closing keynote at the annual Pacific Northwest Writers Association conference—plus teaching a workshop on how to earn a living as a writer. 🤓 Learn more: www.pnwa.org/event/confer...

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 23/05/2025

If you don't yet have a copy of the second edition of my book, THE BUSINESS OF BEING A WRITER, here is a giveaway where you can win a free copy: share.hsforms.com/1QkPwgjHFSr2...

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 21/04/2025

A reader encouraged me to share one of the final notes in my series on how to earn a living as a writer. So here it is!

This summer marks my 11-year anniversary of running my own business full time. The more experience I gain, the more confident I become, not least because it has opened my eyes to the number of poorly run businesses. These are in the majority, in fact.
Why?
So many reasons. First, just as there is no formula for creating great art, there is no formula for creating a great business, despite what some business books might claim. Second, terrible business practices surround us, but they get adopted because people think that (1) if they're so common, they must be the "right" way to run a business, and/or (2) they must work because they're so common.
Building a meaningful and sustainable business requires one thing: a vision. That vision is specific to you and what you want to accomplish or change in this world. Running a profitable business should not require you to compromise your values or engage in acts that are antithetical to your creative work. Instead, your business should reflect your values, and your actions should reflect the qualities of your work. Your business is more likely to prosper when people perceive alignment in words and action, as they do in other areas of life.

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 18/04/2025

It's release day for the second edition of THE BUSINESS OF BEING A WRITER! Pretty close to dominating all the writing reference charts. 🤓

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 04/02/2025

I wonder how many writers understand that a good number of small, literary presses earn as much from submission/contest fees as from book sales. What do writers gain from such a system, where they’re funding each other’s book deals? poetrybulletin.substack.com/p/special-re...

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 02/01/2025

I have overhauled my cornerstone article/handout on key book publishing paths. For the last 10 years, it's been 1 page. Now it's 2 pages. It better covers the finer distinctions writers now encounter in the market. Free to use/share/distribute, no permission required. Link below.

2025–2026 Key Book Publishing Paths by Jane Friedman (traditional publishing)

2025–2026 Key Book Publishing Paths by Jane Friedman (other paths, non-traditional)

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 27/02/2024

As long as Amazon allows all manner of fraudulent work to be published and distributed through their stores—due to the ease and low cost of generative AI—I will continue to field media requests about how to spot it, avoid it, and stop it.

Picture of Jane Friedman and Today morning show host side by side, with title card: HOW TO SPOT FAKE BOOKS BEFORE YOU BUY

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 17/09/2023

Last call! Join me and contracts expert Suzanne Lucas Gosson to talk about how to negotiate book publishing contracts if you don't have an agent. Free and recorded: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN…

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 29/08/2023

Many thanks to @ingramspark for being the sponsor of my free newsletter in August. Did you know: IngramSpark no longer charges book setup fees—plus you get free revisions within 60 days of your book’s first upload date. Learn more: buff.ly/44w1VRu #sponsored

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 18/08/2023

Maybe not the best thing to suggest right now, Bing?

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 17/08/2023

If you want to land an agent for a graphic novel, there are some special considerations when you query/pitch. Published author Katharine Woodman Maynard, who's had 3 agents, explains. buff.ly/44dq2Ur

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 16/08/2023

Struggling with comparable titles? Consider creating a Book Family Tree—an exercise that helps you better understand your own book and where it fits in the world—developed by Ilana DeBare. buff.ly/44dOaqf

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 16/07/2023

oh I can't wait to buy this domain!

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 14/07/2023

There's been a proliferation of publishing-related scams in recent years, whether you're seeking a publisher, agent, or marketing help. I'll offer guidance on spotting scams and bad deals this Sunday. Free! (Recorded if you can't make it live.) buff.ly/3JZomXD

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 30/06/2023

My thanks to PubSite (@pub_site) for sponsoring my free newsletter in June. Pub Site is a DIY website platform that allows every author, regardless of budget, to have a great-looking, professional website. Learn more: buff.ly/3U4wfyH

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 16/06/2023

This Sunday! I'll be hosting @nellmwulfhart for a free session on making tough decisions. Bring your challenges—there will be plenty of time for Q&A. us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN…

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 06/06/2023

This month's sponsor of my free newsletter is Pub Site (@pub_site), a do-it-yourself tool designed to help authors easily build a professional website. Sign up for a 14-day free trial here: buff.ly/3U4wfyH

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 02/06/2023

In the Cincinnati area? Join me for an evening talk on June 26, on what writers have to fear (or not) in the age of AI. All proceeds benefit the Queen City Book Bank. Tickets are limited: thebookmatters.com/pages/jane-fried…

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 31/05/2023

Tomorrow at 1p ET: Join me for a conversation with the folks at @Draft2Digital about current publishing trends. You can tune in live at YouTube or wait for the recording: www.youtube.com/live/VyMVPyBVndQ?fe…

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 30/05/2023

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 26/05/2023

TODAY! Join me and @JuleKucera for a discussion of story structure & all the conflicting advice that's out there. Free and recorded if you can't make it. us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN…

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 04/05/2023

My thanks to PubSite (@pub_site) for sponsoring my free newsletter in May. Pub Site is a DIY website platform that allows every author, regardless of budget, to have a great-looking, professional website. Learn more: buff.ly/3U4wfyH

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 03/05/2023

Today at 1 p.m. EDT! Join me and @foxprinted for a 90-minute online class on the power of dialogue in fiction. Recorded if you can't make it live. buff.ly/3HoJoh6

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 21/04/2023

Interested in writing and publishing a cookbook? Join me and literary agent Sally Ekus to discuss this Sunday, with ample time for Q&A. Free & recorded if you can't make it live. 🤓 buff.ly/3LhSxdC

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 05/04/2023

When it comes to marketing, the "do all the things approach" does more harm than good, especially in the beginning. Focus on one thing at time, suggests @MatthewJHolmes1. buff.ly/3ZMJANg

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 04/04/2023

My thanks to PubSite (@pub_site) for sponsoring my free newsletter in April. Pub Site is a DIY website platform that allows every author, regardless of budget, to have a great-looking, professional website. Learn more: buff.ly/3U4wfyH

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 04/04/2023

Getting lost between manuscript drafts is par for the course. Figuring out how to get from “shoveling sand into a box” to majestic sand castle is challenging even for experienced authors. / @amylbernstein discusses a framework for revision. buff.ly/412qDr9

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 14/03/2023

There isn't any easy or straightforward answer here. But as I prepare for my upcoming class w/@WritersDigest on blogging this week, I've put together a chart outlining the considerations.

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 06/03/2023

My thanks to @kingsmanediting for sponsoring my newsletter in March. Their team can help prepare your book for publication. Learn more: buff.ly/3ygk7Aw #ad #sponsored

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 24/02/2023

TODAY at 2 p.m. ET, join me to talk about book publicity and book publicists. I'll be in discussion with novelists @ThisHammer & @bradeighgodfrey to talk about their upcoming release. Free & recorded if you can't make it live:...

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 22/02/2023

Oh man, off we go with the AI-generated books. Gosh, how many toes does that mouse have? ... www.reuters.com/technology/chatgpt-…

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 22/02/2023

I immensely dislike the Google ads that are inserted into my digital @NewYorker issue. These two are among the worst and most disturbing of late. Lilicloth T-shirt ads also supremely annoy me but at least they don't give me nightmares.

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 21/02/2023

This is exactly why I subscribe to @benedictevans newsletter. I had no idea SMS fraud was a thing and how it might drive decisions related to 2FA on Twitter.

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 21/02/2023

What can authors can do in partnership w/their publisher and publicist to help their books be successful? What’s smart to spend money/time on? Join me and novelists @thishammer & @bradeighgodfrey this Friday (free & recorded):...

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 13/02/2023

Note to self: use crying cat in next announcement of seriously bad news (h/t Sarah Chauncey)

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 07/02/2023

Literary agent @JeffHermanAgent: "It’s always my intention to respond to each author’s submission. That said, I sometimes don’t, at least not in a timely fashion." buff.ly/3YxEcO4

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 02/02/2023

"The true act of revision comes when a writer is willing to move each and every piece of furniture out onto the front lawn." —Dinty W Moore at @brevitymag buff.ly/40q4bIY #amwriting #creativenonfiction #cnf #memoir

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 25/01/2023

Love this brilliant little chart that @FoxPrintEd shared during today's class. It's the Kubler-Ross stages of editing.

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 12/01/2023

"Should S&S end up in the pocket of private equity, only to be McKinsey’d to death, well, all that sanctimony about Big Book Getting Too Big might sound awfully regrettable in retrospect." buff.ly/3CJ3pwo | @ShawnMcCreesh @NYMag

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 10/01/2023

In your novel or memoir, if the backstory draws attention to itself more than it illuminates something in the present moment, reconsider it. Insight from @FoxPrintEd. buff.ly/3QB6DHZ #amwriting #WritingCommunity

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 29/12/2022

So there's now generative AI for creating slidepacks. One of the canned prompts is "how to write a bestselling book." Notably missing from the slides: that part where you write the darn thing.

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 29/11/2022

“People who read romance may not openly admit to it because of the judgment, but they’re not going to stop reading what they love. And honestly romance is such a great genre...It’s a shame more people don’t give it a try.” —@kitty_thomas buff.ly/3OSZH8f Q&A by @ktsetsi

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 21/11/2022

If you've spent long months away from the page, here are 3 steps to help you start writing again, from @DuffusMatthew buff.ly/3UVZHGC #amwriting #WritingCommunity

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 15/11/2022

This piece nails what I consider the worst phenomenon found in social media: "turning every personal reaction into a public service announcement” buff.ly/3UZW8Pm — thank you @filmdrunk

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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 10/11/2022

Today! Join me for a free discussion w/author @bvam, author of more than 10 books with Big Five publishers. Her advances earn out, but she is not earning a living. We'll discuss how it might be possible for her to earn more from her writing career....

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