Novels About Publishing
I have always loved the idea of books about books. When I started going through my list, I realized I had too many to put on one list! So, I decided to put all my favorite novels about publishing in one place.
Initially, I was unsure how many books I would be putting on this list. My ultimate list of books about books is filled with fiction, historical fiction, fantasy books, and more. I wanted to divide that list differently. Which books are about authors, etc.
When I put together all my books about books, I realized there are so many about publishing, and magazine publishing as well!
The Best Novels About Publishing
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Novel About Publishing
The Editor by Steven Rowley- Jump to Section
The Best Novel About Magazine Publishing
Workhorse by Caroline Palmer- Jump to Section
The Best Celebrity Book Club Book About Publishing
Writers and Lovers by Lily King- Jump to Section
The Best Romance About Publishing
How to Write a Love Story by Catherine Walsh- Jump to Section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Novels About Publishing
The Editor
Author: Steven Rowley
Year: 2019
Genre: Fiction
More info: Bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Guncle
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
At its heart, this is a book about James Smale and his amazing and complicated relationship with his mother. When James finally sells his book and goes to meet his editor, it is none other than Jackie O.
She forces him to look into himself and answer the questions that he didn’t know to ask. This is one of those books that will stay with you.
Why Jackie loves it
I absolutely adored this book. Rowley is amazing at writing about complex relationships. The emotions are so clear and raw, that they jump from the page while the story builds quietly. This is such a great book club book because there is so much to discuss.
Find this book in: The Best Books of 2019 / Fiction Books About Books
The Magpie Murders
Author: Anthony Horowitz
Year: 2017
Genre: Mystery
More info: Winner of the Macavity Award for Best Novel, NPR Best Book of the Year
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range:
Plot
Susan Ryland is an editor who is working with Alan Conway, as she has for years. He has been writing about the detective Atticus Pünd for years and is very successful. In Conway’s book, Pünd is investigating a murder at Pye Hall, but the more Suan reads, the more she is unsure how much of the book is fiction. In this book, you uncover the murder of a mystery author while also reading his book about murder. Are they interconnected?
Why Jackie loves it
There is a murder mystery within a murder mystery in this well-written and thoughtful book. Anthony Horowitz is an internationally best-selling author for a reason. This book will keep you guessing until the last page. The idea is truly unique and so well executed.
Find this book in: Mystery and Thriller Novels About Writers / Jewish Authors and Writers / Best British Mystery Books / Best Books of 2017 / The Best Queen Camilla Book Club Books
Novels About Magazine Publishing
Plot
Clo wants nothing more than to rise to from intern to Editor at the illustrious fashion magazine she works for. But Clo is a workhorse in a world built for show ponies, so she decides to manipulate and scheme her way to the top with trusted allies and frenemies. This insider look at the time when fashion magazines were being surpassed by digital media is equally insightful and entertaining.
Why Kirsten likes it
It’s clear Palmer put her extensive knowledge of the fashion and magazine industries, and the people that work in them, into this story. It was an elevated version of The Devil Wears Prada that was irresistible. Still, it was a touch too long and I sort of lost interest when the plot left the fashion world and swapped to Clo’s bad choices.
Find this book in: Novels About Fashion / Books About Con Artists
The Devil Wears Prada
Author: Lauren Weisberger
Year: 2003
Genre: Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The Devil Wears Prada is the OG fashion novel. Written about an unfashionable assistant to a demanding magazine editor (clearly supposed to be Vogue’s Anna Wintour) this book became the inspiration by the cult classic movie of the same name.
Why Kirsten loves it
I read this story as a teenager and found myself utterly enthralled by the antics of the editor, the demands of the fashion industry, and all the stunning clothing descriptions. It’s truly the best fashion novel ever!
Adaptation Information
At this point, the famed movie starring Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt has reached cult following status. Recently, Disney began filming the sequel in New York with all the stars reprising their roles. As of now, it’s slated to premiere on May 1, 2026, right in the middle of fashion week.
Find this book in: Novels About Fashion / Books Becoming Movies / Books Set in New York
Plot
Like everyone, I fell deep into the Netflix show Inventing Anna. When I realized this story was about a similar tale, I knew it would be the perfect summer book about con artists!
Essentially it’s about an intern named Lora who was taken in by an Elle editor named Cat Wolff whose glamorous life quickly takes over her own. But is Cat who she claims to be or is she someone else entirely?
Why Kirsten loves it
Let’s just say this is one of those books where you get to the end and you want to go back and re-read. I gasped when I read the final chapter of this pick from summer reads 2023.
Find this book in: Novels About Fashion / Books about Con Artists and Thieves / Ultimate Beach Reads 2023/ Epistolary Novels
Celebrity Book Club Novels About Publishing
Writers and Lovers
Author: Lily King
Year: 2020
Genre: Romance
More info: March 2020 Read with Jenna Book List Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is the story of Casey, who has been working on a novel for 6 years. She was a former child golf prodigy. The story follows Casey and her coming-of-age.
Why Jackie likes it
I had high hopes for this book because I loved Euphoria. This was a well-written book that is slower-moving. I did not develop an emotional connection to the characters, but that is not anything to do with the writing.
Find this book in: Read with Jenna Book Club List 2020
Yellowface
Author: R. F. Kuang
Year: 2023
Genre: Fiction
More info: July 2023 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Athena Liu is a literary star whose books are immediate best sellers. June Hayward went to school with Athena and thought she would be a star as well. However, she has found herself in literary obscurity.
One night, June and Athena are hanging out in Athena’s apartment when Athena dies in a freak accident (Content warning for graphic detail of choking). When June arrives home, she realizes she has Athena’s new unfinished, unpublished manuscript in her bag about the contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I.
June decides that she will finish the manuscript and send it to her agent as her own work. She also lets them rebrand her as Juniper Song
Why Jackie loves it
There is so much to talk about in this book from obvious cultural appropriation and racism to secrets, lies, and entitlement.
Find this book in: The Complete Reese Witherspoon Book Club List / Books with Colors in the Title / Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2023
Dictionary of Lost Words
Author: Pip Williams
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: May 2022 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Esme spent her childhood in the Scriptorium of Oxford with her dad and his colleagues as they worked to create the first Oxford Dictionary. When the word “bondmaid” slips to the floor, Esme stashes it along with other discarded words into a space place in her home. Overtime, she begins to realize the words often associated with women carry less weight than those for men, which is when she starts to collect words for her own project – The Dictionary of Lost Words.
Trigger Warnings
War, Death of a Parent
Why Jackie likes it
I have to say that I never had any idea how the dictionary was made and how “abridged” my version actually is (think 20 volumes and 4ft of shelf space). This historical fiction was brilliantly researched and detailed. The heart of this book is the importance of words and women finding their power in small ways in a male-centered world. At times I thought the book moved a little slowly but it is well-written and enjoyable.
Find this book in: Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2022 / List of Books About Books
The Other Black Girl
Author: Zakiya Dalila Harris
Year: 2021
Genre: Thriller
More info: June 2021 GMA Book Club Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Nella is the only black girl at her publishing house until Hazel is hired. Thinking she’s found an ally, instead, she begins to wonder if Hazel might be an enemy instead. As Hazel’s career soars, Nella is left questioning her identity, her ideals, and what it means to be a black woman in the business world while trying to uncover who is behind the scary notes she keeps receiving.
Trigger Warnings
Racism
Why Jackie loves it
Wow. I’m still processing this genre-defying novel. It’s a social commentary and a thriller all in one. It makes me want to sit down and discuss it with everyone.
Find this book in: Good Morning America / Ultimate Thriller List / Women in the Workplace / Books About Books / GMA Book Club List 2021
Romance Novels About Publishing
How to Write a Love Story
Author: Catherine Walsh
Year: 2026
Genre: Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Clara Sheridan’s father was a bestselling author known for his epic fantasy series. When he died, he left Clara their house and the task of finishing the series. As much as she needs the money from the last book to repair the house that is falling apart, she has a horrible case of writer’s block.
Sam Avery is an editor who also happens to know the Frank Sheridan series very well. He arrives at Clara’s house with the task of helping her finish the books.
As they work together to meet the deadline, there is undeniable chemistry between them.
Why Jackie loves it
The relationship between Sam and Clara is just what I needed to go along with a fantasy series, a writer, and a dilapidated house on the Irish coast. This is a romance that is a balm and a must-read for any book lover.
Find this book in: Romance Books About Books
By the Book
Author: Jasmine Guillory
Year: 2022
Genre: Romance
More info: Meant to Be #2
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Isabelle was overjoyed when she landed her dream job in publishing as an editorial assistant. She is also the only Black employee. She has been waiting for a promotion for two years and decides she will earn that by going to the mansion of a celebrity with an overdue memoir. All she has to do is give him the right pep talk to encourage him to write the book.
This task is not as easy as it seems. Beau is standoffish, stubborn, and difficult. Soon Izzy finds herself living in his house and helping him with his book.
Trigger Warnings
Death of a Parent
Why Jackie loves it
The forced proximity also helps her find something that she needs- the confidence to ask for what she wants. You’ll love this fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast!
Find this book in: Grumpy Sunshine / Jasmine Guillory Books/Romance Books About Books
The Hating Game: A Novel
Author: Sally Thorne
Year: 2016
Genre: Romance
More info: Movie starring Lucy Hale and Austen Stowell
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This enemies-to-lovers office romance book was recently adapted and we hope it is as steamy as the book. After two publishing houses merge, executive assistants for the two owners are in fierce competition with each other for a promotion.
These office enemies quickly realize that the tension is an attraction as well. But, is the attraction real, or is it a ploy to get the promotion? The forced proximity trope is at its best in this steamy romance
Why Jackie loves it
This is a romance book that has a little bit of everything. I loved the competition between the two, and the fact that it takes place in a publishing house is even better!
Find this book in: Forced Proximity Trope Romance Books /Complete List of Romance Tropes / Grumpy Sunshine Trope Books / Enemies to Lovers Books / Hot Office Romances
Expert Tip
If you love reading, then you will love these novels about publishing.
- Have a look at the book description. There are some great descriptions of the plot and why we liked these books. This can be a great way to help you pick a book you will love.
- Did Kirsten or Jackie read the book? This may be a good way for you to determine if you are going to like it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some great books about publishing?
Workhorse by Caroline Palmer, Writers and Lovers by Lily King, and Yellow Face by R.F. Kuang are must-read books about publishing!
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Epilogue
What are your favorite novels about publishing? Did I include your favorite on this list?
