Self-publishing refers to the process of publishing a book without the intervention of a traditional publisher. It grants authors greater control over their creative vision, distribution, and earnings. As digital technology and platforms evolve, self-publishing becomes more accessible and affordable.
In 2020, the global self-publishing market hit $13.4 billion, set to grow at 16.4% annually from 2021 to 2028. According to the report, self-publishing accounted for 17.5% of the book publishing market in 2020.
With such amazing development and promise, self-publishing is a popular choice for aspiring and established authors. However, self-publishing comes with its obstacles and chances. The industry is continually evolving and adjusting to meet the changing demands and tastes of readers, authors, and publishers.
This blog explores five trends shaping the future of self-publishing in 2024 and beyond. The following trends are:
- Multi-format books
- Non-fiction books
- Romance, crime, and mystery
- Personal brand
- TikTok
Understanding these trends will allow you to make better judgments and tactics for your self-publishing journey. Let’s plunge in!
Multi-format books
One of the trends that will shape the self-publishing sector in 2024 and beyond is the emergence of multi-format publications. Multi-format books are available in multiple formats, including print, eBook, and audiobook. Self-published authors can reach more readers with diverse interests and habits by making their books available in several formats.
Some of the advantages of developing and distributing multi-format books are:
- Boosted exposure and discoverability: Multi-format books expand readership across online stores, libraries, and podcasts.
- Improved reader experience: Multi-format books offer diverse ways to enjoy content.
- Enhanced earnings: Varying rates and royalties from different formats contribute to increased income for authors.
However, manufacturing and distributing multi-format books has several obstacles, such as:
- Increased costs and complexity: Creating multi-format books demands more time, money, and resources, involving professionals, equipment, and multiple file maintenance.
- Heightened competition and quality expectations: Reader and reviewer standards rise for well-crafted multi-format publications.
- Legal and technical considerations: Addressing rights, licenses, regulations, and troubleshooting becomes essential for multi-format books.
Fortunately, numerous platforms and technologies can assist self-published authors in creating and selling multi-format books, including:
- ACX connects authors with narrators, offering options like choosing narrators and earning up to 40% royalties.
- Kindle Direct Publishing enables authors to publish on Amazon, with features like file conversion and up to 70% royalties.
- IngramSpark allows global distribution of print and ebook formats, offering services like print on demand and 100% royalties.
Multi-format books are a growing trend, expanding reach and income for self-published writers in the dynamic market.
Non-fiction books
They are becoming more popular
Another development that will impact self-publishing in 2024 and beyond is the increasing popularity of non-fiction publications. Non-fiction novels rely on facts, information, and truth rather than imagination, fiction, or fantasy. Religion, education, self-help, and memoir are the many genres and topics in non-fiction books.
According to a Bowker analysis, the number of self-published non-fiction books climbed by 39.8% from 2018 to 2019, totaling 321,108. According to the survey, non-fiction books comprised 43.3% of all self-published books in 2019.
The surge in non-fiction’s popularity within the self-publishing industry is no coincidence. These books meet high demand, offering readers valuable insights and practical skills for real-life challenges. Unlike their fiction counterparts, non-fiction books carve a distinct niche. It attracts specific audiences with unique and topical content (thus avoiding the saturation of broad genres). What sets them apart is the accessibility in development and marketing; relying less on imagination, non-fiction authors leverage research, analysis, and personal expertise, establishing credibility and trust with their readers.
However, there are several hurdles and pitfalls to creating and selling non-fiction works, including:
The realm of non-fiction books imposes demanding standards, requiring factual, reliable, and current content. Authors navigate the challenges of fact-checking, source verification, and avoiding plagiarism, errors, and controversies.
Legal and ethical complexities further characterize non-fiction, involving permissions, consent, release, privacy protection, and prevention of defamation, libel, and slander. These additional hurdles distinguish non-fiction from fiction, requiring authors to navigate a nuanced landscape.
Distinguishing non-fiction works demands creativity. Authors must find unique angles, gaps, or hooks to captivate readers while avoiding clichés, repetitions, and redundancies. Non-fiction authors infuse value, insights, and stories to maintain reader interest in this challenging yet rewarding literary domain.
To develop and market non-fiction books successfully, self-published authors must follow basic recommendations and best practices, such as:
Conduct thorough research: Non-fiction authors must conduct extensive research on their genre, topic, audience, and rivals. This helps determine readers’ requirements, wants, and pain points, along with market gaps, trends, and possibilities.
Find a specialty: Non-fiction authors must identify a niche that is particular, narrow, and concentrated. It allows them to demonstrate their experience, enthusiasm, and individuality. Finding a specialty can help non-fiction authors avoid competition, boost visibility, and foster loyalty.
Create a personal brand: Non-fiction authors must create a brand reflecting their personality, values, and message. It aids in connecting and communicating with their readers and followers. A personal brand can help non-fiction authors boost their visibility, reputation, and impact.
Non-fiction books will continue to dominate and diversify the self-publishing sector, offering writers and consumers more choices and benefits. Self-published authors can make a difference in the lives of their readers by writing and selling non-fiction books.
Romance, crime, and mystery
Generating the highest revenue
A third trend that will influence the self-publishing sector in 2024 and beyond is the high profitability of the romance, crime, and mystery genres. Romance, crime, and mystery are the most popular genres in fiction self-publishing, accounting for the majority of sales, revenue, and royalties for self-published authors.
According to Author Earnings, romance, crime, and mystery made up 70% of total fiction sales on Amazon in 2020 and 75% of total fiction earnings for self-published authors. According to the survey, romance, crime, and mystery genres have the highest average profits per author, book, and page read.
For various reasons, romance, crime, and mystery are the most successful genres in fiction self-publishing.
The enduring popularity of romance, crime, and mystery novels lies in their ability to provide readers with pleasure, escapism, and satisfaction. These genres cast a wide net, appealing to diverse audiences spanning young adults to elders, attracting both casual and ardent readers alike.
What sets these genres apart is their knack for cultivating strong reader loyalty and retention. Establishing emotional ties, suspense, and curiosity, romance, crime, and mystery novels enthrall readers, fostering a commitment to favorite characters, series, and authors within the genre or subgenre.
Moreover, the inherent diversity and flexibility of these genres contribute to their widespread appeal. Romance, crime, and mystery seamlessly blend various elements, topics, and locales. They have the capacity to intertwine with other genres like fantasy, sci-fi, and historical fiction, demonstrating adaptability to evolving trends, tastes, and markets.
However, there are some problems and challenges associated with creating and marketing romance, crime, and mystery.
Romance, crime, and mystery are highly competitive and saturated, with numerous writers, novels, and subgenres. Self-published romance, crime, and mystery authors must distinguish themselves from the crowd, discover their niche, and produce quality and unique content.
High expectations and standards: Romance, crime, and mystery novels must adhere to genre conventions, reader preferences, and reviewer criteria. Self-published romance, crime, and mystery authors must grasp their genre’s craft, structure, and style while avoiding clichés, blunders, and contradictions.
Romance, crime, and mystery writers face significant pressure and burnout since they must produce and publish regularly, consistently, and prolifically. Self-published authors in romance, crime, and mystery must stay up with the speed, demand, and trends of their genre while also balancing their creativity, productivity, and well-being.
To write and sell romance, crime, and mystery effectively, self-published authors must follow some tips and best practices, such as:
Follow genre conventions: Romance, crime, and mystery have distinct conventions determining their essential aspects, features, and expected outcomes. Self-published authors must adhere to genre norms such as story, character, suspense, and romance to satisfy and surprise their readers.
Add twists and innovations: Romance, crime, and mystery have several twists and innovations that contribute to their attraction, fascination, and distinctiveness. To separate their books from others, self-published authors must include twists and novelties such as the finale, villain, motive, and subgenre.
Join online communities: There are thriving and active online communities for romance, crime, and mystery writers, novels, and genres. Self-published authors should join online communities like forums, groups, and blogs to network, collaborate, and communicate with their readers, colleagues, and influencers.
Romance, crime, and mystery are trends that will continue to thrive and expand in the self-publishing market, giving self-published authors and readers additional options and chances. Self-published authors can express their vision, passion, and talent while earning a career by writing and selling romance, crime, and mystery novels.
Personal brand
It matters
A fourth trend that will impact the self-publishing industry in 2024 and beyond is the importance of personal branding. Personal branding refers to how self-published authors portray themselves and their publications to their readers and the general public. Personal branding entails more than just a name, logo, or phrase. It blends their personality, ideals, message, and style.
Some of the reasons why a personal brand is essential for self-published authors include:
In the bustling self-publishing market, personal branding becomes a beacon for self-published authors. It not only cultivates awareness and visibility but also sets authors apart, leaving a lasting impression that attracts attention.
Crucially, personal branding fosters credibility and trust among readers and potential buyers. It becomes a vehicle for self-published authors to showcase their knowledge, authority, and professionalism, building a foundation of trust with their audience.
Beyond this, personal branding serves as a bridge for authors to enhance relationships and communication with their readers and followers. By communicating their voice, values, and vision, self-published authors engage and interact with their audience, forging meaningful connections in the competitive self-publishing landscape.
However, developing and growing a personal brand comes with various problems and requirements, such as:
Crafting a personal brand necessitates self-published authors to embody consistency and authenticity in both presentation and performance. It compels authors to align their words, actions, and visuals, steering clear of contradictions, discrepancies, and dishonesty for a genuine connection.
Moreover, personal branding calls for authors to stand out and innovate, differentiating their brand from the sea of others. Identifying a unique selling point, a compelling value proposition, and a competitive edge is vital. In this process, self-published authors must avoid the pitfalls of copying, duplication, and commoditization, ensuring their brand remains distinctive in the competitive self-publishing landscape.
Self-published authors must commit to and invest in establishing and maintaining their brand. Personal branding necessitates that self-published authors devote time, money, and resources to developing and updating brand assets such as their website, social media, and logo.
To successfully create and grow a personal brand, self-published authors must adhere to specific tips and best practices, such as:
Create a website: A website is essential for self-published authors wishing to establish and expand their brand. A website serves as a central center for self-published writers to promote their books, bios, portfolios, testimonials, and contact information while driving traffic, leads, and sales.
Engage on social media: Self-published writers can use social media to create and grow their brand. Self-published authors use social media to share their content, stories, and opinions and engage and communicate with their followers, colleagues, and influencers.
Collaboration with other authors is effective for self-published authors looking to promote and grow their personal brand. Collaboration allows self-published authors to harness other authors’ talents, experience, and networks while creating and delivering value, visibility, and possibilities.
Personal branding is a trend that will continue to be relevant and expand in the self-publishing market, providing self-published writers and consumers with more options and benefits. Self-published authors may convey their identity, values, and message while creating and expanding a personal brand, leaving a lasting impression on their readers and the world.
TikTok
The new platform for selling books
A fifth development that will impact the self-publishing industry in 2024 and beyond is the rise of TikTok as a powerful and popular social media platform that can assist self-published writers in reaching new and younger audiences, creating buzz, and driving traffic to their books.
TikTok is a video-sharing app that lets you create and view short videos with music, filters, and effects. TikTok has over a billion active users worldwide, with 60% of them aged between 16 and 24.
Some of the reasons why TikTok is a suitable venue for self-published authors are:
TikTok’s algorithm, focusing on engaging, amusing, and trending content, presents a robust viral potential. Self-published authors can leverage this to attain exposure and notoriety, with videos receiving millions of views, likes, and comments within hours or days.
The platform extends creative freedom to self-published writers, offering diverse ways to showcase books – from inventive book trailers to behind-the-scenes footage and engaging contests. TikTok becomes a medium for authors to express their personality, style, and message, fostering emotional connections with their audience.
Niche communities: TikTok includes a large number of hashtags, categories, and groups that cater to specific hobbies, genres, and themes. TikTok may help self-published authors locate and target their ideal readers by allowing them to join and contribute to relevant and active groups like #BookTok, #RomanceTok, and #MysteryTok.
However, employing TikTok as a marketing tool comes with several obstacles and cons, such as:
Given TikTok’s concise format, videos limited to 15 or 60 seconds demand self-published authors to be succinct, clear, and catchy. Effectively communicating the value proposition, hook, and call to action in this short span is crucial for engagement.
The platform’s intense competition, filled with users, artists, and influencers vying for attention, necessitates self-published authors to be consistently innovative and intelligent. Crafting videos, titles, descriptions, and hashtags with a strategic approach becomes imperative to navigate TikTok’s algorithm and captivate the audience effectively.
Unpredictable results: TikTok’s results are surprising since various factors, including the quality, timeliness, and popularity of the videos, user preferences and behavior, and app modifications and updates determine them. TikTok needs self-published authors to be adaptable and resilient and to track and measure their performance and results.
To use TikTok effectively and efficiently, self-published authors must adhere to specific suggestions and best practices, such as:
Study the platform: Self-published authors should research the platform’s features, functions, and trends, as well as learn from the best practices and examples of other successful users, producers, and influencers, particularly those in their genre or niche.
Plan the content: Self-published authors must plan the purpose, message, and structure of their videos, as well as the frequency, timetable, and duration of their postings, and develop a content calendar and strategy aligned with their goals and target audience.
Engage the audience: Self-published authors must engage their audience by asking questions, soliciting feedback, reacting to comments, and cooperating with other users, creators, and influencers to establish a dedicated and engaged fan base and community.
TikTok is a trend that will continue to expand and evolve in the self-publishing sector, providing self-published writers and readers with additional options and chances. Self-published writers may use TikTok to promote their books, generate buzz, and drive traffic while reaching out to new and younger audiences who enjoy reading and watching videos.
Conclusion
To summarize, self-publishing is a vibrant and fascinating sector that constantly evolves and adapts to the changing requirements and preferences of readers, writers, and publishers. In this blog post, we looked at five significant themes that will influence the future of self-publishing in 2024 and beyond. Understanding these patterns can help you make informed decisions and tactics for your self-publishing journey, allowing you to realize your author goals and dreams. We hope you enjoyed and learned from this blog post. Please share your ideas and experiences with self-publishing in the comments section below. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and best wishes for self-publishing!
