The Business of Contradiction: The Political Economy of the Modern Publishing Industry

This paper is a multi-site case study that draws on an anonymous survey of industry professionals, in‐depth interviews with employees, and thematic analysis of Instagram stories from @xoxopublishinggg as a parasocial digital space where publishing professionals collectively negotiate ideological tensions that they sometimes need to suppress professionally. Findings reveal that while small and independent presses sometimes foreground mission over margin, employees feel that larger conglomerates routinely prioritize titles that will benefit the publisher’s bottom line. Moreover, in the USA, publishers are engaging in litigation against books bans, even as they expand conservative imprints to capture lucrative right‐wing audiences. The growth of digital platforms has also intensified self‐censorship among employees, who sometimes weigh reputational risks before voicing concerns. Despite these pressures, participants call for clearer decision processes, for more open discussions across teams, and more diverse leadership to align publishing practices with stated values.