#162 Lessons from the People of Publishing Conference

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Ever wonder what’s really happening behind closed doors in the publishing industry?

In this solo episode, I pull back the curtain on the People of Publishing Conference—held September 17, 2025, by the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA)—to reveal what top CEOs, editors, and agents are saying about the future of books.

I share my insights and Estelle’s Edge takeaways on what publishing leaders are prioritizing, how AI is reshaping the industry, and what authors can do to stand out in a rapidly evolving landscape. Whether you’re writing your first book or deep in the query trenches, this episode offers an invaluable insider’s view of today’s book world.

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In This Episode

The big shifts in publishing today [2:25]
Why traditional media appearances don’t always sell books [5:05]
How the Anthropic and Meta lawsuits are protecting authors’ rights against AI companies using copyrighted work. [6:30]
What foreign publishers are buying right now [7:25]
What agents want in memoir proposals and how “Memoir Plus” and light research threads can elevate your story. [13:10]
AI in publishing: how it’s being used for translation, productivity, and why every author should learn to use it responsibly. [14:57]
Estelle’s biggest takeaway [16:15]

Connect with AALA/People of Publishing

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Episode/Essay Referenced

#35 Flying High with Storyteller Ann Hood

Negotiating the End of Us by Leslie Blanchard

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