When Publishing Gets Personal: Navigating Drama and Dilemmas in the Writing World
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts, a series that explores the craft and business of writing and the ever-evolving dynamics of the publishing world.
The internet has been a game-changer for authors and the publishing world, opening doors to community, collaboration, and opportunities we wouldn’t have had even a decade ago.
Now, authors can connect directly with readers, share insights with each other, and build genuine, supportive networks across the world—all from the comfort of our favorite writing spot! But as much as online spaces have brought us closer, they’ve also added some tricky dynamics to navigate, especially when it comes to the dramas and dilemmas that seem to pop up like clockwork.
I wanted to take some time this Thursday to share some ways to keep our creativity protected while handling or side-stepping those dust-ups in the book world. Whether it's how to respond to call-outs, dealing with the ups and downs of social media interactions, or deciding when to weigh in on industry controversies, we’ll cover approaches that support your energy and keep your focus where it matters most: on your writing.
Understanding Industry Drama and How It Arises
Drama in the book world can sometimes feel as cyclical as the seasons, often popping up through social media call-outs, public controversies, or clashing opinions on professional conduct. These conflicts arise from a wide range of sources. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a miscommunication spiraling out of control. Other times, deeper issues come into play, like cultural sensitivity and representation in literature, which can spark heated debates. Business practices, from contract negotiations to marketing strategies, are also common flashpoints, especially in an industry where traditional models are frequently challenged by indie and self-publishing perspectives.
The impact of these controversies is real for authors, whether they feel hesitant to join a conversation, wonder how to navigate complex issues, or deal with the anxiety of an unpredictable online landscape. Emerging authors, in particular, may feel especially vulnerable, unsure of how to balance building their careers with staying true to their values. Even for those with established reputations, navigating these waters can require a delicate balance between maintaining professional integrity and protecting personal boundaries.
Navigating Online Communities with “Professionalism”
As an author, being active in online spaces can be as rewarding as it is tricky, especially if you’re outspoken and committed to your values. I’ve always found that being vocal about the issues that matter to me, even when it comes to potentially polarizing topics, has helped me attract readers who genuinely connect with my work and feel seen in my stories. There’s a unique power in sharing your true self—whether that’s discussing social justice, race, or other deeply held beliefs—because it builds a community of readers who respect and resonate with you. When I began engaging online in 2011, the writing community was a much smaller, quieter space. I was often told to avoid talking about race or politics, especially since my audience might include white readers. I knew, though, that being authentic and transparent would draw the right readers my way and that having these conversations was too important to avoid.
This is why the word professionalism is in quotations because if being professional requires me to deny any part of myself or compromise my values, just call me reckless and unprofessional because I’m not gon’ to be able to do it!
But I realize that some authors aren’t ready to take a bold stance or are comfortable with conflict, and that’s totally okay. The online world can be intense, so having a sense of professional boundaries is key to creating a positive, sustainable experience. If you’re someone who struggles with boundary-setting or feels pressure to remain quiet to keep the peace, here are a few tips that might help:
1. Know Your Boundaries – Define what topics or conversations feel manageable to you. If a debate or a heated thread is draining rather than empowering, it’s okay to limit your involvement. Boundaries don’t make you disengaged; they make your interactions intentional. This way, you’re preserving your energy for what matters most: your writing.
2. Practice Empathy and Perspective-Taking – Remember that online spaces are filled with people coming from all kinds of backgrounds and life experiences. Taking a step back to recognize the diversity of perspectives can create a more constructive environment. Empathy can keep the conversation respectful and productive even if you disagree with someone’s viewpoint. By no means am I suggesting that you should practice empathy with someone who is being abusive, combative, racist or bigoted. Still, when conversations are challenging or heated, empathy can serve as a powerful tool. It allows us to engage without losing focus on our values or well-being. Holding onto perspective helps us navigate these spaces while keeping our energy intact for what really matters—our creativity, our goals, and the writing community we’re helping to build.
3. Use Constructive Language – If you decide to engage, focus on positivity and productive dialogue. The words we choose can either diffuse or escalate tension, and constructive language keeps things focused on problem-solving rather than personal attacks. Not only does this create a safe space for everyone, but it also helps you avoid getting tangled in unnecessary conflicts. (I’m not always the best at this, but I’m okay with that for the most part!)
Having that said, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Being true to yourself, building connections, and protecting your energy are all part of finding a balance. If you’re intentional about how and when you engage, you can carve out an online presence that feels meaningful and manageable, even in the midst of an ever-evolving book community.
When to Speak Up vs. When to Stay Out
When you’re deciding whether to speak up on an issue or to keep a respectful distance, especially in a professional space like the writing world, it can feel like a balancing act. In many ways, the choice to share your voice publicly depends on your values, goals, and the potential impact it may have on both the situation and your own energy. A good place to start is by asking yourself a few grounding questions: “Is this aligned with my values?” “What do I hope to achieve by weighing in?” and “Am I prepared for the conversation that may follow?” If speaking up resonates with your beliefs and can potentially move things forward in a positive way, it may be worth sharing. But if your main motivation is to vent or share an opinion without any clear outcome, it might be worth reflecting a bit longer.
Speaking up can be powerful and helpful, but sometimes, it has unintended consequences. Certain conversations, especially online, might escalate tensions without resolving the issue. Consider the potential impact and whether your energy would be better used in a supportive, private setting. Some situations are better addressed within a specific community or offline, where the discussion might feel more genuine and constructive.
Remember that not every conversation needs your input. Some moments call for direct involvement, while others may benefit more from listening or simply offering support to those directly affected. If you feel the need to vent, take it to the group chat! Some of my favorite discussions about timelines have happened with my writing besties offline. Consider whether your unique perspective adds meaningful value and if you’re prepared to manage potential responses. Often, keeping the conversation private, in a safe community, or between friends allows for a more candid exchange without the pressure of public scrutiny.
Choosing when to engage in public conversations requires discernment, self-awareness, and a clear sense of your boundaries. By taking the time to reflect on each of these areas, you’re better able to make choices that keep your integrity intact and allow you to engage in ways that are meaningful.
Protecting Your Energy and Creativity Amidst Online Noise
Keeping our creative energy protected can be easier said than done. Between social media, email alerts, and constant notifications, staying focused and energized can sometimes feel like swimming against the tide. For writers, it’s important to find ways to manage these online interactions so that they support, rather than drain, our creative work.
Setting limits on social media is a straightforward but powerful way to protect your energy. Apps and built-in phone settings now make it easy to set time limits or scheduled downtime for social media. Think of it as a “digital curfew” for yourself, giving your mind room to wander away from the buzz of online noise. It’s not about cutting out social media entirely (unless that feels right for you) but about being intentional with the time you spend there.
Having a network of supportive people is a game-changer. Surrounding yourself with other writers and creatives, or even just understanding friends who get your work and values, is invaluable. I get this support from Wordmakers and numerous author group chats. Not only can they offer guidance and encouragement, but they also provide perspective when things feel overwhelming. A trusted network of supportive voices keeps you grounded and helps reduce the impact of any negativity you might encounter online.
Above all, focusing on your work is the best way to stay centered amidst online noise. Creative goals are a solid anchor, helping you stay grounded in what matters most. When distractions pop up, revisit your goals to re-align yourself with your current project or creative path. Let those goals pull you back to your purpose, giving you the energy and motivation to keep going strong.
Building Resilience and Learning from Drama
Who was it that said there’s a blessing in every lesson? I’m not exactly sure, though India Arie’s song lyric certainly rings true. The reality is almost every dust-up—especially in the publishing and writing world—offers us something to learn. And thankfully, we don’t have to be in the middle of the drama to gain insight. Even as observers, these moments can strengthen our resilience and give us a clearer sense of our values and goals.
It’s so easy to get pulled into the swirl of opinions and hot takes out there, but staying grounded helps keep your focus on what really matters. Practicing a little detachment doesn’t mean you stop caring or tuning in—it just means knowing which conversations are worth your energy. Think about reframing criticism as just one take in a sea of perspectives or even using moments of frustration to fuel your work. After a while, you might find these interactions impact you less, helping you hold onto your creative energy.
And then come those teachable moments—ones that can be surprisingly eye-opening when we watch them unfold from the sidelines. When an author goes viral for an epic social media meltdown or a public spat with reviewers, it’s like a free lesson in what not to do. Take, for instance, the infamous incidents where authors tracked down negative reviewers or engaged in heated comment threads to “defend” their work. Not only did these outbursts damage their reputations, but they also left their readers and followers with a sense of discomfort, blurring the line between creator and consumer in a hard-to-shake-off way.
Another example? Authors who air grievances about colleagues or publishers online, hoping to rally support. A lot of authors side-eye this kind of behavior as they’ve been cautioned against it. However, openly sharing grievances, whether in public forums or through “whisper networks,” isn’t just about airing frustrations—it’s a way for marginalized authors to make better business decisions. When authors speak up about discriminatory or unethical behavior in publishing, it helps others avoid working with agents, publishers, or industry pros who might not treat them fairly. For writers from underrepresented backgrounds, these conversations are invaluable, providing a heads-up about places that may not respect or support diverse voices.
Whisper networks also foster a form of industry transparency that protects authors from unknowingly submitting work to those who have histories of bias or poor practices. This shared knowledge builds a foundation of caution and helps marginalized writers connect with professionals and publishers whose values align more closely with their own. Openly discussing both negative and positive experiences, marginalized authors can better navigate the industry, make informed choices, and advocate for change that leads to a more equitable and inclusive publishing landscape.
Watching others navigate these high-stakes situations is an unexpected gift—one that offers clarity on our values and what behavior we want to avoid. Drama can sharpen our own sense of professionalism and boundaries, even helping us see what kinds of interactions we want to stay out of. These experiences, especially when they don’t directly involve us, provide a perfect opportunity to better understand the industry and where we want to fit within it. Each of these moments, while challenging for those directly involved, is a reminder of how crucial it is to stay grounded, especially in such a public and connected world.
These moments—whether we’re directly involved or watching from the sidelines—remind us that resilience in the publishing industry is more than just enduring the storm. These lessons help us to learn, grow, find clarity, and stay true to our values. Take something like “Publishing Paid Me,” for example—a hashtag that opened up crucial conversations about pay disparities between white and Black authors. It allowed countless writers to see industry inequities more clearly and empowered many to negotiate better, advocate for transparency, and make more informed choices about the paths they pursue.
Every instance like this, whether it’s a high-profile callout or behind-the-scenes knowledge shared by other authors, offers a chance to refine our professional values and protect our work. Resilience means taking in these lessons, letting them fuel our own growth, and embracing a mindset that keeps us grounded, creative, and committed to our goals.
Navigating the drama of the publishing world is a unique challenge, but it doesn’t have to derail your creative journey or compromise your goals.
With so much happening in this industry, it’s easy to get swept up. Yet it’s just as essential to protect your energy and focus on what you can control. Maintaining boundaries, practicing empathy, and tuning out unnecessary noise are all ways to keep your creative vision clear and powerful.
At the end of the day, staying grounded in your “why”—the love for storytelling that brought you here—is what will carry you through both the highs and lows of this business. Remember, your path, goals, and core values are the foundation of your work, and leaning into them will help you navigate challenges without losing focus. If you’re still exploring or wanting to clarify those core values, my free author branding course is here to help. It’s designed to guide you in uncovering what truly matters in your writing, allowing you to stay true to your purpose no matter what comes your way. Use these tools and strategies as anchors, and keep your vision clear as you grow.
Reflecting on the values you want to uphold in your writing life can be a grounding exercise, especially when navigating the demands and dynamics of the publishing world. Take a few moments to connect with what matters most to you professionally.
You can use this exercise to get started:
1. List Your Core Values: Write down three values you want to uphold in your interactions and relationships within the writing community. For example, these could be “authenticity,” “compassion,” or “integrity.” Think about the qualities you respect in others and wish to see reflected in yourself.
2. Identify Boundaries for Protecting Your Energy: For each value, note one or two ways you can create boundaries to keep your energy focused on what matters. For example, if “integrity” is one of your values, perhaps you’ll set a boundary around speaking truthfully about your work, even when faced with industry pressure to conform. Or, if “authenticity” is important to you, that might mean limiting your time in spaces that don’t align with your goals and being intentional about where you show up online.
3. Reflect on Your Professional Goals: Finally, consider how each value connects to your overall writing goals. This step is a gentle reminder of why you’re doing this in the first place—keeping you aligned with the big picture while navigating the daily details.
To navigate the ups and downs of the publishing world while staying true to your craft, start by grounding yourself in what truly matters—your values, goals, and love for storytelling.
Drama in the writing community can sometimes feel unavoidable, but with a clear sense of purpose, you can keep your creative energy intact. Focus on what brought you to this path, and remember that the high and low moments alike offer lessons to grow and strengthen your voice as an author.
xo, Tasha
