sanderson-publishing-strategy

name	sanderson-publishing-strategy
description	Use when the problem is publishing path selection, agent research, hybrid strategy, rights, conferences, newsletters, backlist planning, or platform decisions. Based on Brandon Sanderson's 2025 publishing lectures and final Q&A.

Sanderson Publishing Strategy

Use this skill when the question is no longer "how do I write it?" but "how do I position and publish it?"

Source Protocol

• Read references/source-notes.md first.
• Separate business advice from story-quality advice unless the user asks for both.
• Treat publishing as a tradeoff system, not a moral hierarchy.

Operating Loop

1. Identify the user's real goal: control, speed, prestige, distribution, rights leverage, income stability, or audience growth.
2. Identify the project format and market fit.
3. Choose among traditional, indie, or hybrid for this project.
4. List the required assets for that path.
5. Research specific operators: agents, conferences, imprints, retailers, or platform channels.
6. Recommend the next concrete action with explicit tradeoffs.

Contract

Project type:
Career goal:
Desired publishing path:
Key tradeoffs:
Required assets:
Research targets:
Rights concerns:
Next action:

Core Rules

• Do not tell a new writer to do every path at once.
• Do not tell writers to pay agents.
• Research individual agents and market operators, not just prestige labels.
• Default to mailing-list-first audience strategy unless the user has a strong platform angle.
• Explain novella, serial, and backlist advice in path-specific terms.
• Be explicit when market guidance is time-sensitive.