Inside Publishing: Author Julia Dovey Discusses the Publishing Industry, Burnout & Building Readership

As an individual, creativity might be the defining characteristic of Julia Dovey’s personality (visit her website). Julia is a published author, working primarily with BWL Publishing. Her most recent novel, A Matter of Mountains and Molehills, was released at the beginning of this year.

Julia is not just a writer; she is a leader in her field, helping other writers reach their potential as well. She is a writing workshop leader and helps emerging writers discover their voices. She also works as a video editor, novel editor, and copywriter. Julia was the 2024 Writer in Residence for the University of the Fraser Valley. She also has a podcast hosted with fellow writer Jocelyn Coupland. Titled “Bad Writing Is Better Than No Writing,” they deconstruct their most awkward literary creations.

Julia grew up in Aldergrove, British Columbia, and by grade 11, was already writing her first book. She studied Creative Writing at the University of the Fraser Valley and has not looked back since. She currently resides in Abbotsford, British Columbia, where it’s easy to find the opportunity to write, given the nearly constant rainfall that the area receives.

Julia Dovey, photo courtesy University of the Fraser Valley

Do you think there’s too much pressure on authors to be ‘content creators’ in addition to writing?

Julia Dovey: “I think it’s all part and parcel of the writing world now, which is unfortunate since writers got into the business because we do so well holed up, alone, not talking to people! We’ve grown so used to sitting in worn sweatpants with zero makeup and undereye bags from sleepless writing nights that having to get dolled up and promote ourselves is a rapid 180 of character. While I enjoy the social media side of making fun videos and doing streams, it can get a bit overwhelming. It also takes up that creative side of your brain, which isn’t a bad thing, until it infringes on the part of your brain that needs to reach a writing deadline.”

Do you think the rise of digital publishing has made it harder for authors to produce cohesive works, like novels?

“It’s harder and easier. Back in the day, you had a snowball’s chance of getting published. Now, with the gumption and know-how, you can publish yourself. It makes it so a lot of previously unheard voices have that chance to say their piece, which is fantastic. However, it also creates an absolutely saturated market.

“There’s also this new concept of ‘creating content.’ With so much content to compete with, you’re inclined to produce at a much faster pace to keep up, which can make it more difficult to put out longer works, like novels, at the rate you want to.”

The publishing industry is known for its fast pace. How do you deal with burnout, and what advice would you give to newer authors struggling with it?

“You can only produce what you can produce. It’s helpful to not dwell too much on the numbers or the other works you are competing with; there’s always someone producing more work, ‘better’ work, etc. You have to bring yourself back to the beginning, which is the love of the craft. You love writing – that’s what you focus on. Burnout happens when that love is overwhelmed by everything else, so if a break is what you need to get that love back, then that’s what’s necessary. Burnout is often inevitable, too, so there’s zero shame in feeling it.”

Julia Dovey, photo courtesy University of the Fraser Valley

What do you think will be the most significant shift in book consumption over the next decade?

“I actually am not sure. With the rise in AI, my first instinct would be that people will be craving more and more content as they get used to the glut of what AI can give us. However, I think that it may just go in the other direction. As AI saturates the art market, more and more people may crave ‘human-made’ art and writing. We may revert back, just a little, where the readers of the world are less focused on quantity and more on the quality, the ‘humanness’ of their media.”

Have you noticed changes in how authors approach building their readership, given the rise of online niche communities?

“I think with so much out there to choose from, these niches are more ‘niche-y’ than ever. Authors can ‘tag’ their work for readers to search for, archive-like, which is fascinating. In this way, people can have their favourite authors in specific niches, and the authors can really land on the type of work they do best, and promote themselves and their work bespoke for their readership.”

How do you feel about the emergence of virtual authors or AI-generated content? Could this disrupt the literary industry?

“Ah yes, AI. It does have that potential to disrupt the industry, for sure. In a good or bad way? Not sure. It can certainly be used as a tool to help format and figure out plot, and can help some authors reach otherwise unreachable goals, which is a good thing. However, purely AI-created content isn’t something I think is the best move in art. Perhaps, as I mentioned earlier, readers will yearn for that human touch of traditionally written books. Either way, it’ll be fascinating to see unfold.”

Julia Dovey, photo courtesy University of the Fraser Valley – Julia Dovey (left) and Jocelyn Coupland (right)

How has your view of the role of an agent evolved over your career? What qualities do you think make a great agent today?

“I have not yet had an agent, so I can’t speak too much on the topic. However, I think that agents are more important than ever these days, as authors are required to don an ever-rising stack of hats – content creator, marketer, promoter, etc. An agent is there to guide the author through the complicated author landscape, and can unburden a mind whose primary function should be to write their stories.”

Do you think the literary industry prioritizes profit over artistic merit, and do you believe it’s stifling creativity in favour of commercial hits?

“Writing is an industry, and an industry’s main goal is to make money. There’s no working around it. However, I think that ‘commercial’ can give the readers too little credit. Just because a work is commercial doesn’t mean they’re not worthy, or creative. And with the ease of self-publishing and smaller presses, I think there will always be that room for the more ‘artistic’ styles of writing, and there will always be readers looking for non-commercial styles of books. There’s room for it all, now, which is fabulous.”

Do you believe the resurgence of physical books, like vinyl, is a passing trend or a permanent shift in consumer behaviour?

“For a several-week period, I spent my evenings playing a video game where I planted crops, built tools, and explored the wilderness. Then, one evening, I went outside and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the real. I did some gardening and almost shed a tear. It was a level of emotion that surprised me, and I realized that I had overwhelmed my brain with the digital to the point where I craved the real.

“We’re tied to the digital world now, for work, for socializing, and for play. And the digital world has its huge benefits of convenience, productivity, and ease. But we will always want the find joy in the physical, and I think this resurgence of paper books and vinyl records is a long-awaited need met. I think it’s here to stay.”