Ep 70: 2024 Predictions for Self-Publishing

The landscape of self-publishing (and book publishing, period) is evolving rapidly, as are the strategies and insights authors need to succeed. While self-publishing offers a wealth of opportunities for authors, it also creates yet another noisy landscape to navigate. Staying up to date on new developments by ingesting information from a small number of on-the-ground sources is the best way to keep yourself underwhelmed and confident in your journey as an author. 

In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I detail my 2024 predictions for self-publishing. This episode is a must-listen for any author looking to make an impact this year with their book, whether they're intent on self-publishing or merely considering it. 

The episode details my insights, predictions, and, honestly, hopes when it comes to the following areas:

• Expansion of self-publishing opportunities and greater transparency in terms of the benefits of self-publishing 
• Changes in book distribution/acquisition practices of retailers and readers
• The increased onset of boutique traditional publishing houses (and how the basis for them indirectly supports self-published authors)
• Understanding the growing role of AI in publishing and its implications for content creation. 
• The importance of intentional, specific content marketing and building community/reader relationships 

The podcast also delves into the arrival, acceptance, and benefits of shorter debut novels. There's a growing trend toward shorter novels that maintain quality storytelling while being more accessible to readers. This shift is encouraging for new authors who wish to capture the attention of readers without overwhelming themselves with a word-count goal of 100,000.

In 2024 (no matter how they're published) will need to be more creative with their marketing strategies. More critical than ever is it to focus on author branding and building relationships with readers in order to establish a loyal following that's eager for their future books, products, or services.