Struggling to spark meaningful conversations in your publishing community? Community Question templates make it easy to encourage insightful discussions and fresh perspectives. Discover ready-to-use prompts designed to inspire sharing and connection among your members.
Get personalized templates for your community in seconds
Community Questions are a proven way to foster engagement in publishing communities. By inviting members to share their experiences, opinions, and ideas, you lower the barrier to participation and create a welcoming space for diverse voices. These prompts help members connect over shared interests while discovering new viewpoints and industry trends.
This content type works especially well in publishing groups because it taps into members' natural curiosity and love of storytelling. Open-ended and thought-provoking questions encourage deeper reflection and richer conversations, helping members feel seen, heard, and valued. When tied to current events or core community themes, these questions also keep discussions relevant and timely.
What was the first book that made you want to work in publishing?
💡 Example: "The first book that inspired me to join publishing was The Book Thief."
If you could bring back any out-of-print title, which would it be and why?
💡 Example: "I would love to see The Egypt Game reprinted because it deserves a new audience."
Share a recent publishing trend you find exciting or concerning.
💡 Example: "I am excited about the rise of audiobooks and what it means for accessibility."
What is the most surprising thing you have learned about the publishing process?
💡 Example: "I was surprised by how long it takes to edit a manuscript."
How do you discover new authors to watch?
💡 Example: "I find new authors mostly through literary magazines."
What is one publishing myth you wish would disappear?
💡 Example: "The myth that publishing is glamorous all the time needs to go."
How has technology changed your approach to publishing?
💡 Example: "Digital tools have made submissions and edits much easier for me."
Which publishing role would you like to try for a day?
💡 Example: "I would love to try being a literary agent for a day."
What advice would you give someone starting out in publishing today?
💡 Example: "My advice is to read widely and network as much as possible."
Share a memorable cover design and why it stood out to you.
💡 Example: "The cover of The Night Circus always catches my eye."
Do you prefer print, digital, or audio books? Why?
💡 Example: "I love digital books because I can carry them everywhere."
What is one thing you wish more people understood about publishing?
💡 Example: "I wish people knew how much teamwork is involved in publishing a book."
Who is a publishing professional you admire and why?
💡 Example: "I really admire Jason Reynolds for his passion and outreach."
How do you stay inspired during long publishing projects?
💡 Example: "I stay inspired by taking breaks and reading outside my genre."
What publishing tool or app could you not live without?
💡 Example: "I use Trello to keep all my projects organized."
If you could publish any genre outside your specialty, what would it be?
💡 Example: "I would love to try publishing graphic novels."
What is your go-to resource for industry news?
💡 Example: "I read Publishers Weekly every morning."
Share a time when a manuscript surprised you.
💡 Example: "Once, an unsolicited manuscript blew me away with its originality."
What publishing trend do you think will shape the next 5 years?
💡 Example: "I think AI-powered editing tools will become essential."
If you could ask any author one question, who and what would you ask?
💡 Example: "I would ask Toni Morrison how she balanced editing and writing."
How do you handle rejection or setbacks in publishing?
💡 Example: "I remind myself that every no is one step closer to a yes."
What is the most rewarding part of your publishing journey?
💡 Example: "Seeing a book I worked on in a reader's hands is the best reward."
What is one publishing event you never miss?
💡 Example: "I always attend BookExpo America."
If you could change one thing about the publishing industry, what would it be?
💡 Example: "I would make the industry more accessible to underrepresented voices."
What is your favorite publishing podcast or YouTube channel?
💡 Example: "I love listening to The Manuscript Academy podcast."
Share a publishing mistake you learned from.
💡 Example: "I once sent a proof to print with a typo on the cover. Never again."
What is the best feedback you have received on your work?
💡 Example: "A mentor told me my edits made stories stronger, which meant a lot."
How do you balance creativity and deadlines in your work?
💡 Example: "I schedule creative blocks before tackling admin tasks."
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing publishers today?
💡 Example: "Finding ways to reach younger readers is a huge challenge."
If you could collaborate with any publishing house, which would you choose?
💡 Example: "Working with Penguin Random House would be a dream."
What book would you recommend to someone interested in publishing?
💡 Example: "I always suggest reading The Forest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner."
How do you keep up with changes in publishing technology?
💡 Example: "I subscribe to newsletters about digital publishing."
Share your favorite way to celebrate a book launch.
💡 Example: "We host a virtual launch party with author Q and A."
What is one thing you wish you had known before entering publishing?
💡 Example: "I wish I had known how important networking is in this field."
If you could improve one step in the publishing process, what would it be?
💡 Example: "I would streamline the rights acquisition process."
What is your favorite part of editing a manuscript?
💡 Example: "I love helping authors clarify their ideas."
How do you spot a potential bestseller?
💡 Example: "A strong voice and fresh perspective always catch my attention."
What publishing skill are you hoping to develop this year?
💡 Example: "I want to improve my copywriting for book blurbs."
Which publishing innovation do you wish existed?
💡 Example: "An AI that finds and fixes plot holes would be amazing."
What is the most challenging manuscript you have worked on?
💡 Example: "A memoir with multiple timelines was tough but rewarding."
What genre do you think is underrated in publishing right now?
💡 Example: "I think middle-grade fantasy deserves more attention."
Tag a colleague who inspires you in your publishing career.
💡 Example: "@Jane inspires me with her dedication to debut authors."
To use these templates, simply copy and paste your chosen prompt into your community platform. Adapt the question to fit current discussions, recent industry news, or your community's unique voice. Encourage replies by responding to answers, tagging members, or following up with related resources. Rotate question styles to keep things fresh and engage a wider range of members.
These templates are designed for use on all major community platforms. For forums, use bold or italics to emphasize your question. On social media, pair prompts with relevant hashtags or visuals. In chat-based groups, post at active times and gently encourage quieter members to join the conversation.
Aim to post a Community Question once or twice a week to keep discussions active and avoid overwhelming the feed.
Absolutely. Adapt the language, context, or add specific references to your publishing specialty or audience.
Respond to early answers, tag members, and feature thoughtful replies in follow-up posts to foster participation.
Yes. Linking questions to recent news or trends makes them more relevant and timely for your community.
Yes. The mix of icebreakers, deep-dives, and experience-based prompts works well for all stages of community growth.
Yes. The templates are designed for flexibility and can be posted on forums, social media, chats, or private groups.
Track engagement metrics like replies, likes, and new member participation to gauge which prompts resonate best.