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:
- Lainey Davis
- Renee Rose
- Kel Carpenter
- Lisa Daily (me, right here!)
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.
{"layoutMobile":2,"layoutDesktop":3,"buttonAlign":"Center","buttonText":"Buy now","productTitle":{"hue":205.71,"saturation":0.7277,"brightness":0.7922,"alpha":1},"priceColor":{"hue":0,"saturation":1,"brightness":0},"discountPrice":{"hue":356,"saturation":0.74,"brightness":1},"buttonColor":{"hue":205.71,"saturation":0.7277,"brightness":0.7922,"alpha":1},"textBottomColor":{"hue":0,"saturation":0,"brightness":1},"activeTitleButton":true,"moreProduct":"View all","moreProductUrl":"shop.author.coach","rowNumber":1,"dynamicProductId":[{"id":"gid://shopify/Product/8689385832610","title":"Bookstore Email Marketing – Exclusive Book Promotion to 1,900 U.S. Bookstore Buyers","currencyCode":"USD","amountMax":"1199.0","amountMin":"50.0","price":"299.00","compareAtPrice":null,"imagesUrl":"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0654/2049/2962/files/Bookstoreemailmarketingservice_promoteyourbooktoB_Nandindiebuyers.jpg?v=1749224882&width=600","urlStore":"/products/bookstore-email-marketing-service","altImage":""},{"id":"gid://shopify/Product/8714535305378","title":"Goodreads Book Review Booster – Get More Reviews with 5-Star Friends","currencyCode":"USD","amountMax":"299.0","amountMin":"249.0","price":"249.00","compareAtPrice":null,"imagesUrl":"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0654/2049/2962/files/Goodreadsbookreview.jpg?v=1751898578&width=600","urlStore":"/products/goodreads-book-reviews-service","altImage":""},{"id":"gid://shopify/Product/8689262133410","title":"Library Email Marketing Service – Exclusive Book Promotion to 9,500 Librarians","currencyCode":"USD","amountMax":"1199.0","amountMin":"50.0","price":"299.00","compareAtPrice":null,"imagesUrl":"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0654/2049/2962/files/Libraryemailmarketingservicetopromoteyourbookto9_500librarians.jpg?v=1749222560&width=600","urlStore":"/products/library-email-marketing-service","altImage":""},{"id":"gid://shopify/Product/8567790502050","title":"How to Write a Self Help Book in 14 Days: The Proven Step-by-Step Plan to Easily Write Your Nonfiction Book - from the Bestselling Author Coach","currencyCode":"USD","amountMax":"21.0","amountMin":"4.99","price":"4.99","compareAtPrice":"4.99","imagesUrl":"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0654/2049/2962/files/Shopify-WriteaSelfHelpBookin14DaysBOOKPINKbyLisaDailyBookCoach_c6653bc2-600d-498b-8056-878d1d0c7de0.png?v=1737752525&width=600","urlStore":"/products/write-a-self-help-book-in-14-days-book","altImage":""},{"id":"gid://shopify/Product/8576108232866","title":"Private 1-on-1 Book Coaching with Lisa Daily","currencyCode":"USD","amountMax":"1912.5","amountMin":"225.0","price":"225.00","compareAtPrice":"225.00","imagesUrl":"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0654/2049/2962/files/ShopifyLisaDailyBookCoaching.png?v=1737751702&width=600","urlStore":"/products/private-1-on-1-book-coaching-with-lisa-daily","altImage":""},{"id":"gid://shopify/Product/8632584175778","title":"How to Write a Self-Help Book BOOK & WORKBOOK BUNDLE","currencyCode":"USD","amountMax":"24.99","amountMin":"24.99","price":"24.99","compareAtPrice":"29.94","imagesUrl":"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0654/2049/2962/files/Shopify-HowtoWriteaSelfHelpBookin14DaysBook_WorkbookbyLisaDailyBookCoach.jpg?v=1743379603&width=600","urlStore":"/products/how-to-write-a-self-help-book-book-workbook-bundle","altImage":""}],"typeSearch":"product","device":"desktop","decimalsPrice":2,"aspectRatio":"1 / 1","isAutoPlay":true,"isNavigation":true,"isPriceDisplay":false,"rowDynamic":"mot","activeDecimals":false,"positionPrice":false,"currencyCodeCustom":"$","activeDynamicProd":true,"componentId":"undefined","hidden":false,"locked":false,"blockName":"Product"}
📊 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. |
{"layoutMobile":2,"layoutDesktop":3,"buttonAlign":"Center","buttonText":"Buy now","productTitle":{"hue":204.9,"saturation":0.7277,"brightness":0.7922,"alpha":1},"priceColor":{"hue":0,"saturation":1,"brightness":0},"discountPrice":{"hue":356,"saturation":0.74,"brightness":1},"buttonColor":{"hue":204.9,"saturation":0.7277,"brightness":0.7922,"alpha":1},"textBottomColor":{"hue":0,"saturation":0,"brightness":1},"activeTitleButton":true,"moreProduct":"View all","moreProductUrl":"shop.author.coach","rowNumber":1,"dynamicProductId":[{"id":"gid://shopify/Product/8592463102114","title":"What 7-Figure Authors Do Differently","currencyCode":"USD","amountMax":"20.0","amountMin":"4.99","price":"4.99","compareAtPrice":"4.99","imagesUrl":"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0654/2049/2962/files/Shopify_-_What_7_Figure_Authors_Do_Differently_by_Lisa_Daily_Book_Coach.png?v=1739552219&width=600","urlStore":"/products/what-7-figure-authors-do-differently","altImage":""},{"id":"gid://shopify/Product/8567790502050","title":"How to Write a Self Help Book in 14 Days: The Proven Step-by-Step Plan to Easily Write Your Nonfiction Book - from the Bestselling Author Coach","currencyCode":"USD","amountMax":"21.0","amountMin":"4.99","price":"4.99","compareAtPrice":"4.99","imagesUrl":"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0654/2049/2962/files/Shopify-WriteaSelfHelpBookin14DaysBOOKPINKbyLisaDailyBookCoach_c6653bc2-600d-498b-8056-878d1d0c7de0.png?v=1737752525&width=600","urlStore":"/products/write-a-self-help-book-in-14-days-book","altImage":""},{"id":"gid://shopify/Product/8579196911778","title":"Become a Famous Self-Help Author: PR Secrets to Get Featured in the Media and Be Seen as an Expert in Your Field","currencyCode":"USD","amountMax":"13.95","amountMin":"5.99","price":"5.99","compareAtPrice":"5.99","imagesUrl":"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0654/2049/2962/files/Shopify-BecomeaFamousSelf-HelpAuthorbyLisaDailyBookCoach.png?v=1738279519&width=600","urlStore":"/products/become-a-famous-self-help-author","altImage":""},{"id":"gid://shopify/Product/8632584175778","title":"How to Write a Self-Help Book BOOK & WORKBOOK BUNDLE","currencyCode":"USD","amountMax":"24.99","amountMin":"24.99","price":"24.99","compareAtPrice":"29.94","imagesUrl":"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0654/2049/2962/files/Shopify-HowtoWriteaSelfHelpBookin14DaysBook_WorkbookbyLisaDailyBookCoach.jpg?v=1743379603&width=600","urlStore":"/products/how-to-write-a-self-help-book-book-workbook-bundle","altImage":""},{"id":"gid://shopify/Product/8632584175778","title":"How to Write a Self-Help Book BOOK & WORKBOOK BUNDLE","currencyCode":"USD","amountMax":"24.99","amountMin":"24.99","price":"24.99","compareAtPrice":"29.94","imagesUrl":"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0654/2049/2962/files/Shopify-HowtoWriteaSelfHelpBookin14DaysBook_WorkbookbyLisaDailyBookCoach.jpg?v=1743379603&width=600","urlStore":"/products/how-to-write-a-self-help-book-book-workbook-bundle","altImage":""},{"id":"gid://shopify/Product/8576108232866","title":"Private 1-on-1 Book Coaching with Lisa Daily","currencyCode":"USD","amountMax":"1912.5","amountMin":"225.0","price":"225.00","compareAtPrice":"225.00","imagesUrl":"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0654/2049/2962/files/ShopifyLisaDailyBookCoaching.png?v=1737751702&width=600","urlStore":"/products/private-1-on-1-book-coaching-with-lisa-daily","altImage":""}],"typeSearch":"product","device":"desktop","decimalsPrice":2,"aspectRatio":"1 / 1","isAutoPlay":true,"isNavigation":false,"isPriceDisplay":false,"rowDynamic":"mot","activeDecimals":false,"hidden":false,"locked":false,"positionPrice":false,"currencyCodeCustom":"$","activeDynamicProd":true,"blockName":"Product"}
📢 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!
http://author.coach