Sit down and listen in as I ask David Morris, publisher and literary agent, what really makes great authors great. Beyond the usual list of necessary qualities like being a good writer with a great concept and a reasonably sized platform, what makes an author someone we want to work with long-term?

And surprise! Our definition of "greatness" is a bit different, but let's get real: every creative person dreams of finding this kind of reciprocal cooperation, don't they?

• #1 is humility / teachability - receiving openly without defensiveness
• Aiming for authenticity and connection over a quick win
• And seeking professional maturity through long-term relationships

We also discuss being "heart-led" over head-dominant, the types of authors we tend to avoid, and why a true partnership eats transactional relationships for breakfast. From our extensive experience working with authors to help produce both award-winning and bestselling books (though we don't love those nebulous terms), we've hit on some essential qualities any aspiring author should find useful to know...

Publishing Disrupted is at PublishingDisrupted.substack.com

Mick Silva is at MickSilvaEditing.substack.com

David Morris is at dvdmorris.substack.com and LakeDriveBooks.com

Join the disruption discussion as we welcome two self-employed publishing colleagues to the show, agent Tom Dean, and ghostwriter/editor Andy Rogers.

Some highlights of our conversation about why we love what we do:

• The "platform paradox" - authors with great books choosing to opt out of traditional publishing
• The joy of hand-selling and direct reader connection
• Industry insights about corporate publishing culture
• Practical advice for authors navigating today's landscape
• The human stories that make these industry shifts meaningful

The opportunities for authors have never been broader--or more confusing. But as our guests helped to prove, if you're an author hoping to gain experience and know-how about the industry today, hearing from multiple independent experts adds some insight and clarity that could very well prove essential. Come along!

Tom Dean is at www.ADropofInk.pub

Andy Rogers is at andyrogersbooks.com

Publishing Disrupted is at PublishingDisrupted.substack.com

Mick Silva is at MickSilvaEditing.substack.com

David Morris is at dvdmorris.substack.com and LakeDriveBooks.com

In the shifting landscape of book publishing today, how helpful is the "bestselling book" stamp of approval? As authors face increasingly challenging obstacles to recognition (and sales), is bestseller status a shortcut to fame and fortune? Or is that prize even worth it?

Come along as we discuss:

• New York Times list is not just based on most copies sold.
• USA Today lists 150 titles without discrimination of type or category.
• Amazon's velocity-based algorithm is too easy to game.
• BookScan sales data tracks legitimate sales but is unavailable for most authors.

Bottom line: bestseller lists often reflect manufactured buzz rather than book quality or even highest sales. And many publishing professionals don't consider bestsellers to be the best books. So what are the alternatives to focusing on bestseller lists for authors?

Publishing Disrupted is at PublishingDisrupted.substack.com

Mick Silva is at MickSilvaEditing.substack.com

David Morris is at dvdmorris.substack.com and LakeDriveBooks.com