Finding it hard to spark lively conversation in your publishing community? Unpopular Opinion templates are designed to break the ice and inspire meaningful debate. Use these thought-provoking prompts to engage members and encourage deeper discussions.
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People are naturally drawn to discussions that challenge the status quo or invite unique perspectives. Unpopular Opinion content taps into this curiosity by encouraging members to explore new ideas and respectfully debate different viewpoints. This leads to higher engagement and fosters a culture of open-mindedness within the community.
In publishing, controversial or counterintuitive takes often lead to some of the richest conversations, as members share personal experiences and well-thought-out arguments. By providing a safe and structured space for these discussions, you encourage members to be authentic, vulnerable, and ultimately more invested in the community's growth.
Unpopular opinion: Not every bestseller deserves a movie adaptation. What do you think?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Not every bestseller deserves a movie adaptation. What do you think?"
I believe print magazines are making a comeback in the digital age. Agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "I believe print magazines are making a comeback in the digital age. Agree or disagree?"
Self-publishing can lead to better quality books than traditional publishing. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "Self-publishing can lead to better quality books than traditional publishing. Thoughts?"
The classics are overrated. Modern authors deserve more attention. Agree?
💡 Example: "The classics are overrated. Modern authors deserve more attention. Agree?"
Unpopular opinion: Ebooks are not killing print books. What is your take?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Ebooks are not killing print books. What is your take?"
I think book awards rarely highlight truly innovative work. Do you agree?
💡 Example: "I think book awards rarely highlight truly innovative work. Do you agree?"
Audiobooks do not count as reading. Change my mind.
💡 Example: "Audiobooks do not count as reading. Change my mind."
Most book covers look too similar nowadays. Anyone else feel this way?
💡 Example: "Most book covers look too similar nowadays. Anyone else feel this way?"
Unpopular opinion: Author events are overrated. Share your thoughts.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Author events are overrated. Share your thoughts."
I think social media does more harm than good for new authors. Agree?
💡 Example: "I think social media does more harm than good for new authors. Agree?"
Book reviews should be anonymous to be truly honest. What is your stance?
💡 Example: "Book reviews should be anonymous to be truly honest. What is your stance?"
Genre labels restrict creativity. Who else feels this way?
💡 Example: "Genre labels restrict creativity. Who else feels this way?"
Unpopular opinion: Editors deserve more public credit than authors. Agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Editors deserve more public credit than authors. Agree or disagree?"
I think long books are often just poorly edited. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "I think long books are often just poorly edited. Thoughts?"
Most blurbs are misleading. Have you experienced this?
💡 Example: "Most blurbs are misleading. Have you experienced this?"
Unpopular opinion: The publishing industry is too focused on trends. Do you agree?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: The publishing industry is too focused on trends. Do you agree?"
I think debut authors are promoted more than established ones. Is this fair?
💡 Example: "I think debut authors are promoted more than established ones. Is this fair?"
Book clubs rarely pick challenging books. Do you wish this would change?
💡 Example: "Book clubs rarely pick challenging books. Do you wish this would change?"
Unpopular opinion: Book trailers are not effective marketing. What do you think?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Book trailers are not effective marketing. What do you think?"
I believe literary fiction is less relevant today. Agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "I believe literary fiction is less relevant today. Agree or disagree?"
Too many books get sequels they do not need. Anyone else notice this?
💡 Example: "Too many books get sequels they do not need. Anyone else notice this?"
Unpopular opinion: Big publishers are less innovative than indie presses. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Big publishers are less innovative than indie presses. Thoughts?"
Most book-to-TV adaptations miss the spirit of the original. Agree?
💡 Example: "Most book-to-TV adaptations miss the spirit of the original. Agree?"
I think subscription reading services are not a good deal for authors. What do you think?
💡 Example: "I think subscription reading services are not a good deal for authors. What do you think?"
Unpopular opinion: Illustrated books are not just for children. Agree?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Illustrated books are not just for children. Agree?"
I believe book fairs are less important than online launches. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "I believe book fairs are less important than online launches. Thoughts?"
Unpopular opinion: Book length does not equal value. Who agrees?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Book length does not equal value. Who agrees?"
I think book pricing is too high for most readers. Do you agree?
💡 Example: "I think book pricing is too high for most readers. Do you agree?"
Not every book needs to be a series. Anyone else think this?
💡 Example: "Not every book needs to be a series. Anyone else think this?"
Unpopular opinion: The literary canon is outdated. Who agrees?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: The literary canon is outdated. Who agrees?"
I believe publishers should take more risks with new genres. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "I believe publishers should take more risks with new genres. Thoughts?"
Bookstore staff picks are not always the best recommendations. Agree?
💡 Example: "Bookstore staff picks are not always the best recommendations. Agree?"
Unpopular opinion: Book marketing should focus less on social media. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Book marketing should focus less on social media. Thoughts?"
I think translated works deserve more shelf space. Do you agree?
💡 Example: "I think translated works deserve more shelf space. Do you agree?"
Book blurbs from celebrities are not helpful. Who else thinks this?
💡 Example: "Book blurbs from celebrities are not helpful. Who else thinks this?"
Unpopular opinion: Ebooks should cost less than paperbacks. Agree or not?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Ebooks should cost less than paperbacks. Agree or not?"
I believe literary prizes focus too much on politics. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "I believe literary prizes focus too much on politics. Thoughts?"
Not all books need professional covers to be great. Anyone agree?
💡 Example: "Not all books need professional covers to be great. Anyone agree?"
Unpopular opinion: Author photos on book jackets are unnecessary. Do you agree?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Author photos on book jackets are unnecessary. Do you agree?"
I think preorders are overhyped in publishing. Who else feels this way?
💡 Example: "I think preorders are overhyped in publishing. Who else feels this way?"
Unpopular opinion: Bookstore events are less impactful than online communities. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Bookstore events are less impactful than online communities. Thoughts?"
Choose a template that fits your audience and current community mood. Post it as a discussion starter, making sure to clarify that all opinions are welcome as long as they are respectful. Monitor replies for tone and civility, stepping in to guide conversation as needed. Encourage members to elaborate on their points and ask others to share their own 'unpopular' takes. Use polls or follow-up threads to keep the debate going.
For all platforms, use clear language and foster a welcoming tone. On forums and groups, pin the post for visibility. On chat-based platforms, follow up with direct questions to keep momentum. Use polls where available to gauge sentiment and invite reaction emojis to lower the barrier to entry.
Craft Unpopular Opinion prompts that challenge widely held beliefs about advances, distribution, or creative control in traditional versus indie publishing. For example, post statements like 'Indie publishing offers more career stability than traditional contracts.' Encourage members to reference their experiences with royalties, marketing support, and editorial input to foster nuanced discussion rather than simple agreement or disagreement.
Frame your Unpopular Opinion posts as open-ended statements, such as 'AI-written novels will improve industry diversity' or 'Ghostwriting undermines authentic author branding.' Clearly state community guidelines about respectful discourse and remind members to share industry-specific examples or data instead of personal attacks. This keeps conversations focused on publishing practices and ethics.
Anticipate strong reactions by prefacing Unpopular Opinion topics with reminders about respectful discussion and the aim to learn from different publishing experiences. Acknowledge that issues like representation or genre pay disparities are complex and invite members to share data (e.g., #PublishingPaidMe) or personal insights while discouraging dismissive comments. Consider moderating threads more closely on these topics.
Absolutely—use statements like 'Query letters are an outdated barrier in modern publishing' or 'Most slush pile submissions deserve a personal response.' These topics invite authors, agents, and editors to share their first-hand experiences navigating submissions, offering tips and alternate perspectives unique to publishing workflows.
Set clear rules before posting, such as 'Share your thoughts, not your latest book link.' For topics like 'Book marketing is more important than writing quality,' remind members to discuss strategies (e.g., newsletter swaps, author branding) without dropping promotional links. Delete repeated spam and spotlight nuanced advice from experienced marketers or publicists.
Pose statements that challenge misconceptions, such as 'Advances are overrated compared to royalty rates' or 'Rights reversion is rarely worth negotiating.' Encourage agents, editors, and seasoned authors to break down contract terms, share real-world royalty statements, or explain how rights reversion impacts long-term earnings, helping newcomers gain practical industry knowledge.
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