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Kathleen Schmidt

@kathmschmidt.bsky.social
2.6K followers 1K following 1.1K posts

President, KMSPR. Book publishing, marketing, consulting, strategy. I write Publishing Confidential on Substack.

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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Totally humbled that Publishing Confidential is number 6. Thank you to @writersdigest.bsky.social www.writersdigest.com/writers-dige...
writersdigest.com
Writer’s Digest Best Publishing News and Resource Websites 2026
Here 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.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
A client of mine who controls most of the billboards in Times Square treated me to one yesterday for the newsletter.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Also, I am writing a book, etc. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
publishersweekly.com
Agate Teams with Publishing Veteran Kathleen Schmidt
Schmidt, 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...
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
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...
kathleenschmidt.substack.com
AI Accusations and Book Publishing
Things can't go on like this.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
This was great, and I appreciate Lincoln and JP's perspectives.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
This is bad. www.thewrap.com/media-platfo...
thewrap.com
New York Times Cuts Ties With Book Review Writer Over AI Use | Exclusive
The New York Times has cut ties with a freelancer of his reliance on AI.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
My thoughts on the current nonfiction book market. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
open.substack.com
The Nonfiction Conundrum
Is Nonfiction in trouble?
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
This depresses me. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
publishersweekly.com
Book Output Topped Four Million in 2025
The 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...
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
I hate that I had to write this. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
open.substack.com
BREAKING NEWS: The USA Today Bestseller List is a Joke
If they can't get it right, they should stop publishing it.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
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.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
I don't think anyone will acquire this for $2M. www.geo.tv/latest/65470...
geo.tv
Sarah Ferguson's $2M memoir dream hits publishing wall
Sarah 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...
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
People are DEFINITELY going to have feelings about this. Gift link: www.wsj.com/business/med...
wsj.com
Exclusive | Simon & Schuster Names Former Amazon Executive Greg Greeley as CEO
The publisher is turning to an industry outsider as expanded entertainment options squeeze the book business.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
AWP is so overwhelming the first time. I like it, though.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
I want to watch both.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Insane.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
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.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Can someone please come over and pack my bag for AWP? I don’t know what to wear.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
My tombstone will read: She could be guilted into attending events.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Oh good grief. But also: not surprising.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
If you’re going to AWP this week, come say hi.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
I’m cheap!
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
If you're heading to AWP in Baltimore next week--I'll be there, too. Here is my panel. Come say hi.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
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.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
The title is self-explanatory. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
open.substack.com
Why is Simon & Schuster Publishing a Guide to Prison?
And what will Coach's book charms do for the industry?
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
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/
hollywoodreporter.com
And 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.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Today's newsletter: open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
open.substack.com
What Happens to Book Publicity Now?
Plus, an update about Publishing Confidential
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
The thing that stuck out to me was how much publishers will have to avoid the daytime/late-night talk shows when publishing a politician's book. The View has always been an important stop in those PR campaigns.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
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...
hollywoodreporter.com
FCC Chair to Hollywood: Talk Shows Aren’t Legitimate News
ABC'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.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
I wrote about the disappearing book review landscape. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
open.substack.com
Are "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.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
He loves this toy that he’s going to destroy.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
You don't want to see what goes on on Threads. It is undefeated in spreading misinformation and opinions about trad publishing.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
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.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
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...
nytimes.com
The Book Jackets Were Ready. Then Charlie Kirk Was Shot.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
He’s happy because he just destroyed a stuffed toy.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
🤯
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
I wrote about yesterday’s NYT piece where we met authors who “write” romance using AI. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
open.substack.com
Romance, AI, and The New York Times
Not all publicity is good publicity.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
I wrote something personal + listed ways to help Minnesota. Please pass it along. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
open.substack.com
HOW TO HELP MINNESOTA
Plus, a personal story from me. Book Therapy will resume next Friday.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Really proud of my husband for working crazy hours yesterday to help get this out today. Springsteen, Streets of Minneapolis. youtu.be/wWKSoxG1K7w?...
youtu.be
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
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...
open.substack.com
A Tale of Three Bestseller Lists
Belle Burden's book 'Strangers' is #1 on the NYT Nonfiction Hardcover Bestseller List. Other bestseller lists tell a different story.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
This indie bookstore in MN is doing good work for people. Give them business. www.commabookshop.com
commabookshop.com
Comma, a bookshop
Independent bookstore in Linden Hills, Minneapolis, offering fiction, nonfiction, young adult, and Minnesota-made gifts
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Here’s a website with all the ways you can help people in Minnesota. Pass it on. www.standwithminnesota.com
standwithminnesota.com
Stand With Minnesota
A directory of places to give to as Minnesota defends itself from ICE occupation
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Had a great convo with @bradlisti.bsky.social on his podcast. Take a listen. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
podcasts.apple.com
What Needs to Change in the Publishing Industry
Podcast Episode · Otherppl with Brad Listi · 01/13/2026 · 1h 21m
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
We had a great convo.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
I wrote about why advertising doesn't work for books. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
open.substack.com
Why Advertising Doesn't Work for Books
Authors often ask me about paying for ads. The truth is, book ad campaigns rarely translate into sales.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
My response to this is: stop publishing books with ideology from the right. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
publishersweekly.com
Trump-Aligned Law Firm Files Civil Rights Complaint Against PRH
America 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...
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Now THAT is Truth Social.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
The CEO of Books-A-Million was nice enough to answer some q's for the newsletter. open.substack.com/pub/kathleen...
open.substack.com
An Interview with the CEO of Books-A-Million
Terry Finley, the CEO of Books-A-Million, was nice enough to answer some questions.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
20. Does that mean I’m 20?
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
I watch this clip often.
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Kathleen Schmidt @kathmschmidt.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
It’s official. Netflix has acquired Warner Bros. about.netflix.com/en/news/netf...
about.netflix.com
Netflix 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
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