American Quote by John Burdett
“I think it is immensely difficult to get the U.S. interested in non-U.S. topics. I don't think this is because the average American reader is disinterested, but more because of publishers playing it safe: if a thriller based in L.A. is a sure winner, why spend money plugging one based in Paris - or Bangkok?”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Publishing Industry Insights, 2015
American publishing favors familiar settings, making it hard for foreign‑focused books to get attention despite reader interest.
In simple terms: US market prefers local stories, limiting foreign topics.
Key Takeaway
Advocate diverse settings to publishers.
Themes
publishing
culture
globalism
risk
marketing
Mood
frustrated
optimistic
Type
analytical
persuasive
When to use this quote
- literary agents
- bookstores
- marketing campaigns
- author pitches
Key Concepts
market dynamics
audience bias
genre expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- How can publishers balance profit with cultural diversity?
- What incentives would encourage foreign‑set thrillers?
A Different Perspective
Readers may still prefer familiar locales, limiting reach.
