The Genesis Story: A Writer’s Path into Publishing

In a world constantly reshaped by technology and global events, the realm of book publishing stands at a crossroads. Annalisa Summea, a writer and educator, provides insights into the evolving landscape of book publishing in the post-COVID-19 era. With a rich history in writing, teaching, and guiding aspiring authors, Summea sheds light on the current trends and challenges within the industry.

Summea’s journey into the world of publishing began as a writer, a passion she discovered at an early age. “I published my first work at 9 years old,” Summea reminisced. “I wrote a poem and won a state-wide contest. I got to read it on the State House lawn with the governor. I could barely see over the podium,” she remarks. This was the only encouragement she needed. “I moved on from there and was published in my early 20s.”

This early immersion in the world of words and stories eventually led her to become a guide for aspiring authors. “People ask me: How did you get published? How do you publish a novel? How does this happen?” Summea shares, “So, I started helping people to reach their publishing dreams.”

Her journey extended to collaborations with literary agents, publishers, and appearances on writing stages worldwide.

As her passion for helping authors grew, Summea’s commitment to assisting aspiring writers became more evident. “After I’d been working with writers for about a decade on the side, as well as some of my university teaching, my journalistic writing and television writing,” she began, “I decided this was really how I wanted to spend my time—helping people to live their author dreams.”

This desire gave birth to Date with the Muse, a company Summea established in 2015. Through this venture, she quickly began assisting other writers in realizing their author dreams. But why “Date with the Muse”?

“People often talk about writer’s block, and it’s a myth,” Summea says. “There’s no such thing as writer’s block; there are some real things happening from a neuroscientific point of view, but writer’s block isn’t this monster under the bed that so many writers make it out to be.” Summea’s solution revolves around demystifying the writing process and embracing creativity, much like going on a date with a muse, which signifies the potential for creative inspiration.

Over the decades, Summer noticed shifts in how people consume literature. Summea observs an interesting transformation from reading to listening, corresponding with the rise in audiobook consumption. “We are programmed for storytelling, much like our ancestors used to sit around the campfire tens of thousands of years ago.”

This shift challenged the conventional belief that audiobooks were primarily consumed during commutes. With people now embracing audiobooks as a standalone activity, it raised questions about the future of various book formats. “How will people consume books moving forward?” Summea asks. “How will AI impact not only the consumption of books but the production of books?”

Summea explores the significant challenges authors face, especially in light of the increasing consolidation within the publishing industry. She highlights the attempts of major publishing houses to merge, limiting opportunities for debut authors and impacting advances, royalties, and distribution.

“These conglomerates become bigger and bigger, and there are fewer and fewer opportunities, especially for debut authors,” Summea explains. Smaller publishing houses, while offering favorable terms, lack the reach and resources of their larger counterparts. This conundrum places debut authors in an increasingly competitive and uncertain landscape.

Technology and the fast-paced nature of modern life have changed how we engage with fiction, affecting the structure of books, chapters, and even podcast episodes. While traditional storytelling endures, its presentation has adapted to meet the demands of contemporary readers.

Summea expresses that humanity is at a unique intersection in the way we consume information and stories. She highlights what she calls the “ongoing democratization of the publishing process, enabling more authors to share their stories without traditional gatekeepers.” This democratization, however, comes with challenges at keeping audiences engaged.

Summea acknowledges the reality of shorter attention spans and its influence on storytelling formats. “We will read a book that has two-page chapters right away,” she says. “If it’s got 20-page chapters, readers think ‘I don’t know, I’m going to have to set that aside for vacation.’”

However, Summer also notes of a seemingly contradicting phenomenon. “During the pandemic we’ve seen the rise in consumption of long form contents.” Summea highlights the resurgence of serialized stories and series. Platforms like Netflix and podcasts offer viewers and listeners the opportunity to immerse themselves in extensive narratives.

According to Summea, people are drawn to existing universes and characters, seeking solace in stories they already know and love. “The proliferation of spin-offs, sequels, and prequels underscores the significance of familiarity in content consumption. It’s what I call ‘comfort of the familiar,’” she says. Summea is curious about the future of publishing of long-form: whereas before the pandemic we worked under the assumption that short only short form would work, now after the pandemic we are no longer sure about that.”

One of the primary trends Summea notices is the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the publishing world. This technological advancement has stirred questions and concerns about the future of human-authored books and the quality of AI-generated content. She highlights the spectrum of opinions on AI-generated literature, from some publishers aiming to release thousands of AI-written books to software companies offering solutions for identifying AI-generated content.

The future of publishing remains uncertain, marked by the simultaneous rise of AI, changes in reading habits, and the consolidation of major publishing houses. As authors and publishers adapt to the shifting landscape, they encounter both challenges and opportunities. According to Summea, the publishing world has been a changing landscape even since before the printing press. “The publishing landscape has always been changing, therefore there will always be opportunities for those who want to share their stories with the world.”