📚 Plot Twists & Paychecks

August 2, 2025

📚 The Hot Takes & Headlines Every Author Needs – July 31, 2025 edition

1. Wattpad Reaches 1 Billion Story Uploads — and Launches “Fan-Powered Royalties”

What happened? Wattpad hit a massive milestone: 1 billion stories uploaded to its platform. To celebrate, they’re rolling out a new monetization model that lets readers tip writers and vote on which stories should get bonus payouts.

Why it matters:

More authors are earning from fiction they already wrote for fun.
This is part of a broader creator economy shift where platforms let fans directly fund their favorite stories.
If you’ve got backlist content or bonus chapters lying around, now’s a great time to test serial fiction—especially with built-in revenue features.

2. Google Expands Book AI Summaries — With Author Links

What happened? Google has quietly expanded its AI-generated book overviews in search results—but now includes links to the author’s website and retailer pages when available.

Why it matters:

You might already be showing up in AI search snippets—without knowing.
This update gives more visibility to self-published and hybrid authors who’ve done even basic metadata work.
Double-check your website SEO, book schema, and metadata. Then Google your own book title + “summary” and see what comes up. (⬇️ Example below!)

3. Romantasy Rules the Bestseller Charts… Again

What happened? According to July’s BookScan data, romantasy is holding multiple top spots across print, ebook, and audiobook categories, led by indie and hybrid authors—several from TikTok fandoms.

Why it matters:

Subgenres like romantasy, spicy fantasy, and cozy dark academia are seeing sustained demand, not just seasonal spikes.
Traditional publishers are now hunting for backlist titles to acquire.
An awesome new Romantasy bookstore just opened up in Cleveland, called Flame & Fable
Coach’s move: If you've got some romantasy in a desk drawer somewhere, it's time to blow the dust off that manuscript. If you're prolific or write to market, Romantasy could be your next cash cow.

4. Indie Author Project Helps Local Indies Reach Library Shelves

What happened? The Indie Author Project (IAP) continues to expand access for self-published authors through its New York Author Project—a curated program that distributes eBooks from New York indie authors to library systems across the state and beyond.

These titles are made available through major library platforms including OverDrive, DPLA Exchange, cloudLibrary, and Axis 360, helping vetted indie authors reach real library patrons without going through traditional publishers.

Why it matters:

It proves that libraries are actively supporting indie books—especially those by local authors.
While this doesn’t mean automatic NYPL placement, it opens a legitimate channel for indie discovery and borrowing.

Coach’s move: If you’re a New York-based indie author, apply to the New York Author Project to get your book in circulation. And even if you’re outside New York, check your state’s eligibility here.

📝 Learn more here:

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Library + Bookstore Email Marketing Combo – Promote Your Book to 11,400 Buyers

USD 499.00

USA

📚 The Hot Takes & Headlines Every Author Needs – July 31, 2025 edition

1. Wattpad Reaches 1 Billion Story Uploads — and Launches “Fan-Powered Royalties”

2. Google Expands Book AI Summaries — With Author Links

3. Romantasy Rules the Bestseller Charts… Again

4. Indie Author Project Helps Local Indies Reach Library Shelves

5. Audiobook Sales Rise 11% in Q2 — Especially for Shorter Titles

💬 Final Thoughts from Your Book Coach