Whether you’re already a self-published author or you’re just starting to consider self-publishing, it’s always a good idea to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry. To help you stay in the know, we’ve pulled together some notes on what you can expect to see in the world of book publishing in 2018.
Self-publishing will continue to gain ground on traditional publishing.
Self-publishing thrived in 2017. According to Nielsen Book Senior Director of Research and Analytics Kempton Mooney, for the first time ever, the market share of self-published and indie-published books surpassed the market share of big publishers (42% v. 34%).
According to industry experts, this trend is not going away anytime soon. The number of self-published books is predicted to increase even more in 2018.
Non-fiction books will dominate the market.
In 2017, the dramatic increase of political and social discourse impacted many industries, including publishing. The bestselling books of the year were written by public figures and celebrities like Ta-Nehisi Coates.
For authors, the key takeaway is that people want to read real-life stories. Writers of non-fiction books, biographies, and memoirs should take note and consider moving forward with any project they have on hold.
Video book marketing will make a major impact.
According to Digital Information World, 55% of people watch online videos every day. Because this platform reaches a wide audience, it’s wise for self-published authors to post online videos that promote their books. Popular book videos include trailers, interviews, and sneak-peak reads.
If you would like to create a video but have no idea where to start, the Write Place is happy to help. We can assist you with scripting, recording, editing, and online posting. For an example of our video work, watch the author interview we produced for our 2016 Book Contest winner, Bestow On Us Your Grace.
The demand for kid-friendly nonfiction will also increase.
Like adult nonfiction, the demand for kid-friendly nonfiction is on the rise. Books that educate children about important topics and help them understand the world are being published in greater numbers. Popular topics include science, politics, and historical events.
E-books will continue to be a good investment.
Since 2012, online book sales have exceeded brick-and-mortar sales. This includes purchases of both print and e-books; however, while print books certainly aren’t going away, there are several advantages to publishing an e-book that will continue to be relevant in 2018.
There’s more space on the digital bookshelf than on brick-and-mortar bookshelves. Stores will remove books that aren’t selling from their sales racks. However, e-books are unlikely to be taken down by online retailers, so they have a longer shelf life.
If you have published your book as an e-book and have seen a dip in sales, you should consider investing in a new cover, book description, and marketing campaign. These efforts may give sales a shot in the arm.
Book covers still matter.
Despite the old saying that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, people definitely judge books by their covers.
Think of it this way: having a well-designed cover is like picking out the perfect outfit for a first date or a job interview. It needs to be interesting and make a good impression since it’s the first thing that will be noticed. If a book cover is boring or poorly designed, readers are less likely to pick it up to see what it’s about, let alone purchase it.
For example, self-published writer R.L. Mathewson went from selling a handful of copies of her romance novel Playing for Keeps to over a thousand after updating the book’s cover.
The Write Place’s team of professional graphic designers has over a decade of combined experience in creating book covers of all genres. If you’re interested in refreshing your book’s cover design or getting a design for a new project, get in touch!
Editing is still key.
Just as a cover design is crucial to making a good first impression, a well-developed plot, strong mechanics, and interesting dialogue are key to holding readers’ attention and giving them a positive view of your book. Typos, grammatical mistakes, and gaping plot holes can leave a bad taste in a reader’s mouth and make them less likely to recommend your book to others. In fact, they may end up posting a negative review on sites like Amazon and Goodreads.
To ensure your manuscript is as polished as possible, it is always a best practice to work with a professional editor. At the Write Place, we offer three levels of editing services to authors.
Have questions about these trends or our cover design, editing, and book publishing services? Reach out to the Write Place team today!
Thanks to Blurb Blog, Marketing Christian Books, Scholastic Book Club, Flavorwire, HuffPost, and Izzard Ink for the tips, info, and statistics curated for this article.
