Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. <a href="https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack</a>: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome<br /><br />Today’s guest is publishing expert, author, and newsletter pioneer Jane Friedman, a 25+ year industry veteran and the author of <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/85623/9780226838656" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Business of Being a Writer</a></i>. She talks candidly about how the publishing industry has transformed in the creator economy era—and why building a sustainable writing career today requires far more than just landing a book deal.<br /><br />In this episode, Jane breaks down the transformative shifts reshaping publishing, from the rise of Substack, TikTok, and direct-to-reader marketing to the growing legitimacy of self-publishing and hybrid publishing models. We get into why entrepreneurial authors are thriving, how video platforms are driving book sales in surprising ways, and why newsletters and email lists remain one of the most powerful tools for writers. We also talk about platform building, ownership and rights, bestseller lists, audiobook strategy, and how today’s authors are thinking differently about control, distribution, and long-term career sustainability.<br /><br />Plus, Jane shares her nuanced take on AI’s growing role in publishing—from the ethical outrage surrounding copyrighted training data to the practical ways writers are already using AI for research, brainstorming, and marketing support, and why writers who completely ignore AI may eventually put themselves at a disadvantage.<br /><br />Subscribe to Jane's industry newsletter <a href="https://janefriedman.com/the-bottom-line-janes-publishing-industry-newsletter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bottom Line</a>. Follow her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janefriedman/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a> @janefriedman, and buy your copy of <i>The Business of Being a Writer </i>on <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/85623/9780226838656" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bookshop.org</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/49zvYwu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon</a>, or wherever books are sold!<br /><br /><b>Get your copy of Courtney's debut memoir <i>Girl Gone Wild</i> from <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/85623/9781949487541" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://amzn.to/3M7EYR5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>.</b><br /><b></b><br />The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/courtneykocak/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram @courtneykocak</a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/courtneykocak.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social</a>. For more, check out her website <a href="https://courtneykocak.com/links" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">courtneykocak.com</a>.<br /><b></b><br /><b></b><b>Courtney is teaching some upcoming classes you might be interested in:</b><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-make-2026-your-best-writing-year-yet-manifest-your-writing-goals-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/land-big-bylines-by-writing-for-columns-zoom-seminar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/edit-elevate-revision-intensive-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><br /><ul><li><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought</a>: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminar</li><li><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business</a>: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar</li><li><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/memoir-in-essays-incubator-nonfiction-writing-workshop-online-june-2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">12 Months to a Full Memoir in Essays Incubator: Write Your Memoir in a Year</a>: https://writingworkshops.com/products/memoir-in-essays-incubator-nonfiction-writing-workshop-online-june-2026</li><li><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/land-big-bylines-by-writing-for-columns-zoom-seminar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns</a>: https://writingworkshops.com/products/land-big-bylines-by-writing-for-columns-zoom-seminar</li><li><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-podcast-workshop-courtney-kocak" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">So You Want to Start a Podcast?</a>: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-podcast-workshop-courtney-kocak</li><li><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/edit-elevate-revision-intensive-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edit &amp; Elevate: Revision Intensive</a>: https://writingworkshops.com/products/edit-elevate-revision-intensive-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak</li><li><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Multi-Passionate Writer's Life</a>: https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak</li></ul>