This paid edition of Medium Cool has been unlocked by Lou Reed’s Nephew, Jim Hanas’s serialized novel about work, art, and tech, now starting its second season.
Subscribe to Lou Reed’s Nephew here!
When Medium Cool launched this writing group, I wanted it to be a place for professional writers to be able to check in, unwind, and talk. It has been that and I want to thank everyone who does stop by to read or chat—it’s been a balm for my writing life this year to connect with you all. That said, I know a lot of people who are just starting to write also read this, and you might not know the first steps of publishing.
So to the lifers: sit these questions out for now, or share your wisdom in the comments. What advice would you give a new writer asking questions like…
Do I need an agent?
Do you have a book yet?
Maybe. Do I have to finish the book first?
Yes, you absolutely do. Go finish it. Pitches and unfinished manuscripts (called “partials” in our lingo) are reserved for nonfiction books, annoying personalities who rode a zeitgeist, or very established fiction writers. In the past this was less rigid, but in 2026 publishers have lots of options and will always favor a finished book.
Do I need a freelance editor to go over my book?
It can’t hurt to have a manuscript polished, but it can be expensive. If your budget is tight or you’re just starting out there’s an amazing number of resources on Substack, often for as little as 10 bucks. There’s—cough—IWG, but I also recommend Amy Shearn and Kathryn Mockler.
Do I need an agent?
I promise. We’ll get there. But first you have to ask…
What do I want my publishing experience to be?
You need to ask this first because publishing in 2026 is a very large thing, but it is not one thing. I think of it like ecosystems. There are five large presses in North America who do the things you think publishing does: own tall buildings in New York staffed by people who live in Brooklyn, and they publish everything from literary fiction to memoir, to history books, as well as thrillers, horror, and romance. But there are also dozens of large independent presses and hundreds of small indies across the country who do the exact same thing. If you’re an academic, there are also great university presses. The difference among all of them is going to be resources.
So…agent?
If you want the resources of the large presses then yes, you really do need to get an agent. Follow Kate McKean for more info on how to do that.
What are the benefits of the big presses?
They have their own marketing and publicity departments, and their own distribution. You will get paid an advance on sales that will be anywhere from the cost of a used 2012 Subaru, to around a year’s salary. If there’s a lot of interest, the book may be pre-empted with a low six-figure offer. About 0.04 percent of books every year crack the million-dollar advance ceiling. If that seems crazy, it’s usually done as a form of marketing, so every bookstore in the country will stock it. (Given that result, it’s actually relatively cheap as an investment for the publisher.)
So I’ll get rich?
The funny thing is no one knows what will sell or not.
What are the benefits of the small presses?
The people who work in the small press are absolutely dedicated to this business and often have a niche: experimental, literary, or genre. That means they can put your book into the hands of the right readers. They are often open to unagented submissions but the advances will be not be big. That said, you may actually earn royalties, have more say in your book’s production, and small press publishers are always happy to share a joint with you.
What kind of publishing is right for me?
It takes a while for most of us to figure that out! So many times I’ve watched new writers work their way down a list, starting at what they think the top literary agency is or the most prestigious magazine, submitting to those first and picking up rejection letters and PTSD along the way. Observe where other writers who are at your level are placing their work, especially if you like them and feel you have something in common. What is in their bios?
Can’t I just use AI to create books and flood the self-published market?
I’m no expert but over the last 25 years I have seen every reputed “publishing killer” start-up, app, or tech company totally flame out. Save for the effect of e-books on the mass market paperback, publishing is pretty much the same as always and that must be down to something more powerful than mere nostalgia. Maybe it just works.