The traditional book publishing process often favors commercially viable projects, creating barriers for authors focused on high-impact ideas—particularly those aligned with Effective Altruism (EA). These authors may struggle to secure traditional publishing deals, even if their work could significantly benefit society. This gap limits the number of impactful books being written.

A Streamlined Path for Impactful Authors

One way to address this issue is through a specialized grantmaking program for EA-aligned book projects. Authors could submit proposals to a team with expertise in both EA and publishing. If an idea meets criteria like impact potential and feasibility, the author would receive an advance to write the book while the team handles publisher outreach. If no publisher is found, the work could be self-published (e.g., as a free ebook). This approach would:

• Remove administrative hurdles for authors, letting them focus on writing.
• Prioritize societal impact over profit potential.
• Leverage EA knowledge to identify undervalued but high-value ideas.

Aligning Stakeholder Incentives

This model could benefit multiple groups:

• Authors: Gain funding and avoid the complexities of publishing negotiations.
• Publishers: Access pre-vetted projects with built-in audiences.
• Readers: Discover more books addressing pressing societal issues.

Publishers might be more willing to take on projects with lower commercial potential if they come with validation from EA-aligned evaluators.

Testing and Scaling the Idea

A pilot phase could start small, funding 5–10 books to test demand and processes. Key steps might include:

1. Recruiting evaluators with EA and publishing expertise.
2. Selecting projects based on clear impact criteria.
3. Providing advances and supporting authors through writing.
4. Negotiating with publishers or self-publishing if needed.

Early challenges—like predicting a book’s impact or securing publisher interest—could be addressed through beta readers, niche publisher relationships, and transparent selection criteria.

Unlike general crowdfunding or traditional publishing, this approach would combine EA-aligned funding with publishing support, potentially unlocking more high-impact books that might otherwise go unwritten.