IBPA Publishing University 2026

Market Research for Emerging Publishers: Before saying “yes” to a manuscript, smart publishers know to dig deeper. This session will walk author-publishers and emerging presses through the essential steps of market research that inform sound publishing decisions. Learn how to evaluate an author’s platform and audience potential, analyze genre and category trends, identify comparable titles, and study cover and metadata patterns that signal market positioning. We’ll also discuss the need to assess who else is publishing in your space, track performance post-publication, and refine your future acquisitions strategy. Whether you’re preparing to launch your first title or building a sustainable list, this session will give you ideas and tools to publish with confidence and clarity.

Presented by Michelle Halket, Publisher of Central Avenue.

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.