Ever feel like your publishing community is running out of steam? Hypothetical scenarios spark fresh conversations and invite members to think outside the box. These ready-to-use templates make it easy to ignite imagination and drive engagement.
Plan your content calendar and auto-post to Skool, Circle, or Mighty Networks
Hypothetical scenarios tap into our natural curiosity and love for storytelling, making them a perfect fit for publishing communities. By presenting 'what if' situations, you encourage members to flex their creativity, share unique perspectives, and engage in playful or thought-provoking discussions. This approach lowers barriers to participation because there are no wrong answers, just opportunities for imagination.
These prompts also build a sense of community by connecting members through shared speculation and collaborative world-building. Whether serious or lighthearted, hypothetical scenarios invite everyone to contribute, fostering both fun and deeper engagement. The result is a vibrant, interactive space where members feel inspired to participate more often.
If you could rewrite the ending of any classic novel, which would you choose and how would it end?
💡 Example: "If you could rewrite the ending of any classic novel, which would you choose and how would it end? For me, I'd give Gatsby a second chance."
Imagine your favorite author suddenly decides to write in a new genre. Who is it and what genre do they choose?
💡 Example: "Imagine your favorite author suddenly writes horror. How would J K Rowling's horror novel look?"
What if books could talk back to readers? How would this change your reading experience?
💡 Example: "If books could talk back, I think I'd never finish a mystery. Too many spoilers!"
Suppose you wake up in a world where every book character is real. Who do you look for first?
💡 Example: "I'd look for Sherlock Holmes. Who would you search for first?"
If you could only read one genre for a year, which would it be and why?
💡 Example: "If I could only read one genre for a year, I'd pick sci-fi. What about you?"
Imagine your life was being adapted into a novel. Which author would you want to write it?
💡 Example: "I'd pick Neil Gaiman to write my life story. Who would you choose?"
What if the publishing industry only published books under 150 pages? How would that change literature?
💡 Example: "If only short books were published, I think we'd see more poetry. How about you?"
Suppose a new technology allows you to enter any book world. Which book do you choose first?
💡 Example: "I'd jump into The Hobbit. What about you?"
If you could ask any fictional character one question, who would it be and what would you ask?
💡 Example: "I'd ask Elizabeth Bennet how she stays so witty. Who would you ask?"
Imagine a world where every book must have a happy ending. How would this affect your favorite novel?
💡 Example: "If every book had a happy ending, 1984 would be so different. What about your favorite?"
What if you could read unpublished manuscripts from any author, living or dead?
💡 Example: "I'd love to read Tolkien's unpublished work."
Suppose every book had to be written collaboratively by three authors. Who would you pair up?
💡 Example: "I'd pair Agatha Christie, Stephen King, and Octavia Butler. Who would you choose?"
If you could bring one out-of-print book back into circulation, which would it be?
💡 Example: "I'd bring back The Long Tomorrow. Which would you pick?"
Imagine you are launching your own publishing house. What is your first book about?
💡 Example: "My first book would be a collection of modern fairy tales."
What if every book cover had to be illustrated by the author?
💡 Example: "It would be wild to see what J R R Tolkien would draw. What do you think?"
Suppose you could pick any book to be adapted as a musical. Which one and why?
💡 Example: "I'd love to see The Great Gatsby as a musical. What about you?"
What if readers could vote on book endings before publication?
💡 Example: "If readers could vote, I think we'd see fewer cliffhangers. Would you participate?"
Imagine your favorite book was never published. How would your life be different?
💡 Example: "Without Harry Potter, I would have read less as a kid."
Suppose all books became interactive, letting you make choices as you read. Would you prefer this?
💡 Example: "I think I'd love interactive mysteries. Would you prefer this format?"
If you could interview any publishing legend, who would you choose and what would you ask?
💡 Example: "I'd ask Ursula K Le Guin about her writing process. Who would you choose?"
What if every book came with a soundtrack curated by the author?
💡 Example: "I'd love to hear what music George R R Martin would pick for Game of Thrones."
Imagine a world where publishing is only digital. How would that affect your reading habits?
💡 Example: "I'd miss the smell of books. How would you feel?"
Suppose you could time travel and witness the release of any book. Which would you choose?
💡 Example: "I'd watch the first Harry Potter launch. Which event would you attend?"
If you were a book character for one day, who would you be and why?
💡 Example: "I'd be Matilda for a day. Who would you choose?"
What if every book began with a reader-written prologue?
💡 Example: "It would be fun to see how creative readers can be. Would you write one?"
Imagine there is a universal language for books. How would this change publishing?
💡 Example: "Publishing would be much more global."
Suppose you can only read books published this year. How does that impact your reading?
💡 Example: "I'd miss my old favorites."
If you could swap places with any editor for a week, who would it be and what would you work on?
💡 Example: "I'd swap with Maxwell Perkins to edit Hemingway. Who would you pick?"
Imagine a festival where every book ever published is available. Which section do you visit first?
💡 Example: "I'd head straight to the sci-fi section. Where would you go?"
What if every author had to use a pen name chosen by readers?
💡 Example: "It could be hilarious or disastrous! What would you name your favorite author?"
Suppose books were released one chapter at a time, like a TV series. Would you wait or read as they release?
💡 Example: "I'd binge-read at the end. What about you?"
If publishers only accepted manuscripts written by hand, how would this change the industry?
💡 Example: "Fewer submissions, probably."
Imagine you find a secret library with books from the future. What do you search for?
💡 Example: "I'd look for the next big fantasy series. What would you seek?"
What if every book had to include a map, even if it is not fantasy?
💡 Example: "Romance novels with city maps could be fun. What genre would benefit most?"
Suppose you had to recommend one book to someone who has never read before. What do you choose?
💡 Example: "I'd start with The Little Prince. What would you pick?"
If you could bring any fictional publishing company to life, which one would it be?
💡 Example: "I'd bring the Daily Prophet to life."
Imagine book reviews had to be written as poems. How would this change your review style?
💡 Example: "I'd have to get creative with haikus! Would you like this change?"
What if every published book had to include a chapter written by a fan?
💡 Example: "Some books could take wild turns! Would you write a chapter?"
Suppose you could only keep five books on your shelf. Which ones make the cut?
💡 Example: "I'd keep Pride and Prejudice, Dune, and three more. What about you?"
If every published novel had a hidden code or puzzle, would you try to solve it?
💡 Example: "I'd love puzzles in books. Would you enjoy this feature?"
Imagine a book festival where you can meet any author, living or dead. Who do you meet first?
💡 Example: "I'd meet Jane Austen. Who would you want to meet?"
Share a hypothetical scenario as a standalone post or thread. Encourage members to reply with their thoughts, stories, or solutions. For best results, tag relevant genres or themes, and follow up with your own answer to get the ball rolling. Mix up the tone and complexity to engage different types of members, and consider pinning popular scenario posts to highlight community favorites.
For all platforms, use eye-catching visuals or emojis to highlight scenario posts. Encourage replies by tagging active members or using polls for quick engagement. Adapt your posting schedule based on when your audience is most active for best visibility.
To engage your community with relevant discussions, create scenarios like 'Imagine you could only publish in digital or print for the next five years—what would you choose and why?' This sparks conversation about the pros, cons, and future of both formats, which is a core debate in the publishing industry. Tailor follow-up questions to explore impacts on distribution, audience reach, and revenue models.
Pose scenarios such as 'If you were offered a lucrative contract with strict exclusivity clauses, would you accept?' or 'Would you choose higher royalties or more creative control?' These prompt members to share experiences and insights about real-life publishing contract dilemmas, fostering deeper understanding of author rights, negotiation tactics, and industry standards.
Frame scenarios that put members in editorial roles, for example: 'If you discovered a bestselling manuscript contained unattributed passages from another work, how would you proceed?' or 'If a major reviewer offers a positive review in exchange for favors, what would you do?' This approach helps surface diverse perspectives on editorial ethics unique to publishing.
Absolutely. Design scenarios like 'Imagine your publishing house is offered a bestseller written entirely by AI—do you publish it?' or 'If AI could perform 90% of copyediting, would you downsize your editorial team?' This sparks dialogue about technological disruption, changing roles, and the future of human creativity in publishing.
Ask questions like 'If you had a manuscript ready, would you choose a self-publishing route with full creative control but no advance, or pursue a traditional deal with editorial guidance and marketing support?' This encourages members to weigh the trade-offs and share experiences related to advances, royalties, and marketing in both publishing models.
When posting scenarios like 'If your publishing company faced budget cuts, what roles would you prioritize?' or 'How would you respond if your book was banned in multiple regions?', preface with a note acknowledging the sensitivity, encourage respectful dialogue, and establish clear guidelines to ensure discussions remain professional and constructive. This helps maintain a supportive community environment while addressing real industry challenges.
Skool · Circle · Mighty Networks