Plot Twists & Paychecks Publishing News

Plot Twists & Paychecks

🔥The Hot Takes & Headlines Every Author Needs

✨ This Week’s Publishing News - July 10, 2025


📨 Direct Publisher Submissions Open

For those looking to go hybrid or traditional, several niche publishers are open for unagented manuscript submissions this July. Publishers like Quarto, August Books, and Subtle Body Press are seeking fresh voices. Learn more here.


🏆 Self-Published Authors are Dominating TikTok Charts

Multiple indie romance and fantasy authors are charting on Amazon and BookTok bestseller lists with multi-book bundles, exclusive TikTok Shop deals, and reader-led virality.

  • Example: BookTok Bundles like “Spicy Summer Escape” and “Fantasy Boyfriend Starter Pack” are selling out.
  • TikTok Shop’s Books category is growing rapidly.

📰 Source: The Bookseller

💬 Hot take: “Who needs a Big Five deal when your BookTok bundle comes with stickers, a playlist, and 80,000 screaming fans?”


🛑 8th Note Press (TikTok Imprint) Closing

According to Publishers Weekly, TikTok's short-lived publishing imprint 8th Note Press is officially shutting down. Authors are negotiating rights reversions, reminding us all: trends come and go, but owning your career is forever.


📚 Bookstores Are Back—Big Time

People Magazine reports that Barnes & Noble is opening 60 new stores in 2025, and indie bookstores are thriving as community hubs thanks to the BookTok generation. The return of in-person browsing is alive and well!


🛆 TikTok Shop + Book Bundles = Major Wins

According to The Bookseller, authors are cashing in with BookTok Bundles: think spicy small-town romances or fantasy multi-packs sold via TikTok Shop. These direct sales not only boost profits but create viral fan engagement.


🎧 Spotify Audiobooks = Indie Author Opportunity

TechCrunch confirms that Spotify Premium users now get 15 free hours of audiobook listening per month, and indie authors distributing through INAudio (formerly Findaway Voices) are benefiting from broader exposure and new revenue streams.


📦 Direct-to-Reader Sales = Sustainable Author Income & Closer Relationships With Your Readers

Indie authors using Shopify, Patreon, or Kickstarter are reporting better margins, more engaged fans, and long-term reader loyalty.

Over the last 2 years, I've noticed more and more of my six- and seven-figure author clients are turning to Shopify stores to sell directly to their fans, increasing profit margins and strengthening reader relationships.

  • Tools: BookFunnel, ThriveCart, PayHip, and Shopify are enabling fully automated stores and pre-sale bundles.

💬 Hot take: “Selling direct is like owning the bookstore and the customer list. Jeff Bezos who?”

Examples of authors successfully selling direct include:

Selling direct allows authors to make higher (often double) royalties on their books, keep their own reader data, and create exclusive bundles that maximize income and fan happiness.

View all

📊 How 2025 Is Going: Indie Author Feedback

Written Word Media surveyed indie authors in mid‑2025, and here are the key takeaways:

  • Stay nimble, stay informed, stay connected. Authors emphasized the importance of adaptability, ongoing learning, and community engagement.
  • Genuine author–reader relationships matter. Cultivating real connections with readers was a top priority for indie success.
  • Mentorship and collaboration are game‑changers. Investing in team-building, mentoring others, and working with fellow indie authors pays dividends.
  • Creativity and authenticity cut through the noise. In a crowded market, human-driven originality and community are key differentiators.

The survey also highlights the growth in direct-to-reader sales and the resilience of indie authors despite marketplace shifts.


Study Insights: Why These Points Matter

  • Nimbleness = competitive edge. Whether adopting AI tools, shifting marketing strategies, or pivoting genre-wise, flexibility keeps indie authors ahead.
  • Reader relationships drive loyalty. Email lists and direct engagement turn casual readers into superfans who pre-order, subscribe, and support. (See our roundup's direct‑sales section!)
  • Team and network amplify success. Shared promotions, creative exchanges, and moral support help move books—and morale.
  • Authenticity wins. In an era overloaded with ads and automation, a real voice and story stand out—and resonate with readers.

🧩 Integrating These Takeaways into Your Strategy:

Focus Area Takeaway in Action
Adaptability Track trends weekly (like this!), test new channels (TikTok Shop, AI tools).
Community Engagement Respond to every newsletter reply; host live chats or virtual book clubs.
Mentorship & Collaboration Team up for promo bundles or share feedback on each other’s drafts or covers.
Authentic Content Share writing struggles, process pics, or personal stories behind your books.

View all

📢 Hot Takes from Your Book Coach

  • Bookstores are back—and that means in-person events, local partnerships, and shelf space matter again.
  • TikTok bundles are hot—pair your books with exclusive goodies or themed collections to catch fire.
  • Audiobooks are booming—and you don’t need a Big Five deal to get in the game.
  • Selling direct through your own Shopify store? It's the smartest move I’m seeing from my six- and seven-figure author clients right now. (But it's not just for them!  You can make it work with as few as 3-5 titles.)
  • The Written Word Media survey says it all: adaptability, community, and authenticity are the winning formula for 2025 and beyond.

Stay savvy, stay scrappy, and I’ll see you next week for more Plot Twists & Paychecks!


Related posts
0 How to Write a Book 💸 Do Self-Help Books Make Money? 

If you’ve ever wondered “Do self-help books make money?”—this one’s for you.Whether you’re a coach, entrepreneur, healer, or content creator, publishing a self-help book isn’t just about impact. It can also be incredibly profitable—if you do it right. 

April 24, 2025 11:06 AM
0 How to Write a Book 📈 Is There a Market for Self-Help Books in 2025?

Before you spend hours writing and outlining your book, you might be wondering:Is there a market for self-help books? Good news: YES. And not just a market—we’re talking about a booming, billion-dollar industry filled with readers actively looking for advice, solutions, and guidance… aka your book.

March 29, 2025 4:35 PM
0 How to Write a Book 🤔 How long does it take to write a selfhelp book?

♡ ⬇️ Get my *FREE SELFHELP BOOK TEMPLATE DOWNLOAD* here -- my creative work plan and self help outline that tells you step-by-step how to write a self help book: https://www.subscribepage.com/m0x8g4 ⬅️ _____________________________________________________________________ Hey there, future bestseller! 👇JOIN THE FUTURE BESTSELLER FAM, SUBSCRIBE! How long does it take to write a selfhelp book? Got a book idea? Before you start, find out how much time you REALLY need to write a self-help book. Writing a self-help book can build your business, help you become the go-to expert in your niche, or leave a lasting legacy. 👩🏻‍💻 About me: Lisa Daily here, I’m A bestselling, award-winning, traditionally & indie published author of 14 self-help and romance books, anda book coach for everyone from brand new aspiring authors to 6- and 7-figure authors like Renee Rose, Theodora Taylor, Maggie Marr, Ines Johnson, Kel Carpenter & Heather Hildenbrand. 💙 Best. Job. Ever. 🎉 _____________________________________________________________________ ♡ *Tools to help you write your self-help book* 📘 BOOK: Write a Self-Help Book in 14 Days (book): https://amzn.to/3C78ilN 📖 WORKBOOK: Write a Self-Help Book in 14 Days Workbook: https://amzn.to/4289EHG 🥇 COURSE: Bestseller Academy: Write a Self-Help Book in 30 Days: http://www.bestselleracademy.courses 📕 BOOK: Become a Famous Self-Help Author: https://amzn.to/40DsKUQ 🤓 Learn more about writing a self-help book here: https://lisadailybooks.com/is-there-a-course-for-writing-a-self-help-book/ _____________________________________________________________________ ♡ *HERE'S THE LINK I MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO* to my creative work plan and self help outline that tells you step-by-step how to write a self help book: 🔗 https://bit.ly/33d7SUE _____________________________________________________________________ ♡*Videos mentioned in this video* HOW TO STRUCTURE A SELF-HELP BOOK | Use the Bestselling Self-Help Outline https://youtu.be/DPws94zqWcA&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY 📺 Write Faster with Binaural Beats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfgOjof2doY&t=1s&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY 📺 Binaural Beats Super Sprints https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdczmPWwwIE&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY 📺 *Also, don't miss these related videos*: HOW TO STRUCTURE A SELF-HELP BOOK | Use the Bestselling Self-Help Outline https://youtu.be/DPws94zqWcA&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY HOW TO WRITE A BESTSELLING SELF-HELP BOOK | 3 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW https://youtu.be/MzxpzZd57vg&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY HOW TO WRITE A SELF-HELP BOOK PROPOSAL THAT SELLS - Step By Step https://youtu.be/6dFfWMQEqDw&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY HOW TO WRITE A BESTSELLING SELF-HELP BOOK FOR BIG MONEY! | 7 Self-Help Book Topics Guaranteed to Make Moneyhttps://youtu.be/49T8wAZttdI&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WRITE A SELF-HELP BOOK https://youtu.be/EZgr-JbNNVI&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY HOW TO WRITE A SELF-HELP BOOK PROPOSAL THAT SELLS https://youtu.be/6dFfWMQEqDw&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY CAN ANYBODY WRITE A SELF-HELP BOOK?https://youtu.be/pVLHIa4LfSg&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHYBINAURAL BEATS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfgOjof2doY&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY Happy writing! 🌺 xxLisa _____________________________________________________________________ ♡ *Stay Connected*: ♥️ Subscribe to my channel for more: www.author.coach 📘 Let’s be friends on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/authorlisadaily 🛍️ Check out my books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Daily/e/B001JSJP12 🌺 Follow me on Instagram: / @authorbythesea 💌 For business inquiries: yt@lisadaily.tv _____________________________________________________________________

0 How to Write a Book CAN Anybody Write a SelfHelp Book?

♡ ⬇️ Get my FREE SELFHELP BOOK TEMPLATE DOWNLOAD here for my creative work plan and self help outline that tells you step-by-step how to write a self help book: https://www.subscribepage.com/m0x8g4 ⬅️ _____________________________________________________________________ Hey there, future bestseller! 👇JOIN THE FUTURE BESTSELLER FAM, SUBSCRIBE! Have you ever found yourself flipping through the pages of a self-help book, thinking, "Hey, I could write something like this!"? Guess what? You absolutely can! The truth is, anyone can write self-help books with the right guidance and mindset. It's all about breaking down the process into manageable steps and tapping into your unique experiences and insights. In today's video we're talking about who can write a self-help book. Writing a self-help book can build your business, help you become the go-to expert in your niche, or leave a lasting legacy. 👩🏻‍💻 About me: Lisa Daily here, I’m A bestselling, award-winning, traditionally & indie published author of 14 self-help and romance books, anda book coach for everyone from brand new aspiring authors to 6- and 7-figure authors like Renee Rose, Theodora Taylor, Maggie Marr, Ines Johnson, Kel Carpenter & Heather Hildenbrand. 💙 Best. Job. Ever. 🎉_____________________________________________________________________ ♡ Tools to help you write your self-help book 📘 BOOK: Write a Self-Help Book in 14 Days (book): https://amzn.to/3C78ilN 📖 WORKBOOK: Write a Self-Help Book in 14 Days Workbook: https://amzn.to/4289EHG 🥇 COURSE: Bestseller Academy: Write a Self-Help Book in 30 Days: http://www.bestselleracademy.courses 📕 BOOK: Become a Famous Self-Help Author: https://amzn.to/40DsKUQ 🤓 Learn more about writing a self-help book here: https://lisadailybooks.com/is-there-a-course-for-writing-a-self-help-book/ _____________________________________________________________________ ♡ HERE'S THE LINK I MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO to my creative work plan and self help outline that tells you step-by-step how to write a self help book: 🔗 https://bit.ly/33d7SUE _____________________________________________________________________ 📺 Also, don't miss these related videos: HOW TO STRUCTURE A SELF-HELP BOOK | Use the Bestselling Self-Help Outlinehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPws94zqWcA&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY&index=1&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY HOW TO WRITE A BESTSELLING SELF-HELP BOOK | 3 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW https://youtu.be/MzxpzZd57vg&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY HOW TO WRITE A SELF-HELP BOOK PROPOSAL THAT SELLS - Step By Step https://youtu.be/6dFfWMQEqDw&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY HOW TO WRITE A BESTSELLING SELF-HELP BOOK FOR BIG MONEY! | 7 Self-Help Book Topics Guaranteed to Make Moneyhttps://youtu.be/49T8wAZttdI&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WRITE A SELF-HELP BOOK https://youtu.be/EZgr-JbNNVI&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY HOW TO WRITE A SELF-HELP BOOK PROPOSAL THAT SELLS https://youtu.be/6dFfWMQEqDw&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY CAN ANYBODY WRITE A SELF-HELP BOOK?https://youtu.be/pVLHIa4LfSg&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHYBINAURAL BEATS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfgOjof2doY&list=PLq75etpmjlA6dROaLDZ01egy33OXPAgHY Happy writing! XO, 🌺 Lisa _____________________________________________________________________ ♡ Stay Connected: ♥️ Subscribe to my channel for more: www.author.coach 📘 Let’s be friends on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/authorlisadaily 🛍️ Check out my books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Daily/e/B001JSJP12 🌺 Follow me on Instagram: / @authorbythesea 💌 For business inquiries: yt@lisadaily.tv _____________________________________________________________________

0 How to Write a Book WRITE FASTER! MUSIC for Crazy Productivity | Boost Writing Speed CREATIVITY & FOCUS Binaural Beats

Hey Future Bestsellers! Do you want to write faster? Music for awesome productivity, creativity and focus can actually boost your writing speed. Enjoy this 20 Min CREATIVITY & FOCUS Binaural Beats with ocean sounds! * For best results, use headphones or ear buds. A number of scientific studies have shown that binaural beats can boost your creativity and focus. This recording is 40hz gamma binaural beats for increased creativity, focus, and writing speed. _____________________________________________________ JOIN THE FUTURE BESTSELLER FAM, SUBSCRIBE! About me: I’m Lisa Daily, internationally bestselling, traditionally-published (Penguin, Random House, St. Martin’s) author of 9 novels and non-fiction books. I'm here on YouTube to help you write your best book and get it published. Sound good? Then hit the subscribe button, and let's get started. _____________________________________________________ DON'T MISS OUR WEEKLY WRITING SPRINTS EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 11 AM - 1 PM EST ! HIT THE NOTIFICATION BELL SO YOU DON'T MISS OUT! _____________________________________________________ 💙💙SOME OF MY BOOKS💙💙 SINGLE-MINDED (romantic comedy) https://amzn.to/2TpQPKE FIFTEEN MINUTES OF SHAME ( romantic comedy) https://amzn.to/2TrAlS5 _____________________________________________________ Like this video? Have a writing or publishing question? Please feel free to drop me a line in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer in a future video -- I’ll be posting new writing advice videos on Mondays & Wednesdays. This is a brand new authortube / writing advice channel, so I’d be absolutely over the moon if you’d SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, and DING that little bell so you’ll be notified every time I post a new writing video. ☺ Thanks, and happy writing, xxLisa _____________________________________________________ 💙Let's connect, ok? Follow Me on BookBub: http://www.bookbub.com/profile/lisa-daily Instagram: @AuthorByTheSea Twitter: @LisaDaily Lisa’s Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Daily/e/B001JSJP12/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/authorlisadaily _____________________________________________________ *Note: Description may contain affiliate links which may earn this channel a little cash. No affiliate link will ever cost you more, and some may even offer you a discount as a subscriber. Woohoo! Thanks for supporting the channel! write faster subliminal #WriteFaster #Authortube #NanoWrimo #LisaDaily

Back to blog
author
Lisa Daily
Book Coach & Bestselling Author
author http://author.coach

Lisa Daily is a USA Today bestselling author and one of the top book coaches for nonfiction and self-help authors. She's an award-winning, traditionally & indie published author of 15+ self-help and romance books, and a book coach for everyone from brand new aspiring authors to 6- and 7-figure authors like Renee Rose, Theodora Taylor, Maggie Marr, Ines Johnson, Kel Carpenter, Lee Savino, and Heather Hildenbrand. 💙 Best. Job. Ever. 🎉 She's the author of several writing books including How to Write a Self-Help Book in 14 Days and What 7-Figure Authors Do Differently. I've been called the "go-to book coach for 6- and 7-figure authors." Lisa Daily is the founder of the Bestseller Academy: Write a Self-Help Book in 30 Days Course and host a popular writing and publishing advice YouTube channel, Bestselling Author Writing Coach.