The broken midlist: why it’s harder than ever to be a ‘moderately successful’ author

Once the heart of the publishing industry, midlist authors now face dwindling advances, fading support, and a market obsessed with viral hits.
A woman with a hat sits perched over a desk, hand-writing into a journal on a wooden chair. The photo is in black and white. The woman is an author.

In 2025, the publishing industry is increasingly dominated by bestsellers and viral sensations, leaving midlist authors – those who produce consistently solid but not blockbuster titles – struggling to maintain their careers. The traditional model, where publishers nurtured midlist authors with the hope of building them into future stars, is eroding.

The impact on the broader publishing landscape is clear, with Australia experiencing some of the most significant consolidation it has ever seen.

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David Burton is a writer from Meanjin, Brisbane. David also works as a playwright, director and author. He is the playwright of over 30 professionally produced plays. He holds a Doctorate in the Creative Industries.