-- Fableration has released a new thought leadership article, “The Brokenomics of Creativity,” issuing a call for deep structural change in the way fiction is brought to market. The piece argues that the current publishing system—shaped by outdated economics and skewed discoverability—has become unsustainable for those who create and deliver stories, especially authors.
Importantly, the article distinguishes between the system and its participants. It recognises that publishers, like authors, are under growing pressure—managing rising costs, intense competition, and increasing uncertainty in reader behaviour. While they often carry the greatest financial risk in bringing stories to market, they are still constrained by a market structure that no longer delivers fair value.
“The numbers don’t lie. Most writers today can’t earn a living from their work—not because their stories aren’t good enough, but because the system was never designed to reward them fairly,” said Simon Harding, CEO of Fableration. “Publishing needs a structural overhaul—one that puts creators at the centre, not at the margins.”
Among the key challenges identified:
- Fiction has become commoditised, eroding its perceived value
- Authors receive only a small fraction of total book sales
- Discoverability is increasingly dictated by marketing spend rather than quality
- The road to publication is long, subjective, and difficult to navigate
The article calls for a new model—one that uses emerging technology to streamline processes, ensure fairer compensation, and return value to creativity itself. It makes clear that the goal is not to displace publishers, but to provide a stronger foundation that allows them—and the authors they work with—to thrive.
“We’re not asking the industry to work harder—we’re asking it to work differently,” said Harding. “These technologies are already out there and being used to fix broken systems. Publishing is long overdue for the same treatment.”
Lisa Wade, Chief Community Officer at Fableration, added: “This is exactly the kind of problem new technology was meant to solve—distributing value more fairly, removing bottlenecks, and making systems more accountable. Publishing is a perfect real-world use case. It’s time we use these tools to inspire a more democratic and inclusive approach to building its future.”
The Brokenomics of Creativity is now available on Fableration’s website.
About Fableration
Fableration is a Melbourne-based publishing platform committed to reshaping how stories are discovered, valued, and shared. Focused on fairness, innovation, and sustainability, Fableration aims to build a more equitable creative economy for authors, publishers, and readers alike
Contact Info:
Name: Heath Donald
Email: Send Email
Organization: Fableration
Website: https://www.fableration.com/
Release ID: 89160912
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