Each year some of the top industry publications predict trends in publishing for the upcoming year. In today’s episode, we’ll share some of these and give you our take on where we think the publishing industry is heading.
SHOW NOTES:
“Top Ten Publishing Trends of 2025,” Emma Boyer, Written Words Media, 2 JAN 2025
“Publishing Leaders Share Nine Bold Predictions for 2025 and Beyond,” Audrey DeRobert, BookBub, 23 JAN 2025
Noteworthy Predictions
Building loyal audiences:
With AI, human connection is more important than ever
Rise of direct sales
Investment in email marketing campaigns and subscribers:
If all other platforms go away, you will still have access to your loyal subscribers
Continue building that list
Meta’s domination over the industry:
Stability in light of the possible TT Ban
Advertising & visual storytelling
Traditional and Indie publishing converge:
“small, independent publishing houses are gaining ground, carving out niches where they can compete on equal footing with larger players. These smaller publishers often prioritize efficiency and innovation, creating tailored experiences for authors that emphasize collaboration and shared goals.”
Benefits and drawbacks of AI:
Efficiency in tasks, marketing
“Technical innovations promise to drastically reduce the load of repetitive operational tasks on authors’ plates, freeing up their time to create and manage robust publishing ventures.” DeRobert
Audiobooks, foreign (translated books)-- will make these feasible for authors
“By 2030, I predict that AI-driven personalization will revolutionize publishing, transforming books from static content into dynamic, tailored experiences. This shift will not only redefine how stories are delivered but also broaden the very concept of what a ‘book’ can be, creating deeper, more individualized connections between readers and content.” Anne Fonteneau, Chief Sales Officer at Blackstone Publishing
“I believe The Authors Guild is doing important work here in advocating for the rights of authors while accepting this technology isn’t going anywhere. Their latest statement makes plain that the licensed use of books for AI training must replace current unlicensed and uncontrolled use. That’s the starting point. Authors have the power to decide whether to license their own work and should make the best decision for themselves.” Jane Friedman, cofounder and editor of The Hot Sheet
Hybrid publishing will be on the rise:
“More traditional publishers will pivot toward offering services and expertise rather than acting as gatekeepers.” Orna Ross, cofounder and director of the Alliance of Independent Authors
Publishers will continue the fight against censorship:
Book banning
The expanding definition of “Pornography” to include open door romance, erotica, LGBTQ
Authors Against Book Bans
SOURCES & LINKS
“Top Ten Publishing Trends of 2025,” Emma Boyer, Written Words Media, 2 JAN 2025
“Publishing Leaders Share Nine Bold Predictions for 2025 and Beyond,” Audrey DeRobert, BookBub, 23 JAN 2025
DO NOW: Target the trend that is most beneficial to where you are in your writing journey and learn all you can about it to make you better informed.
Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com
Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/
Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com
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