Trends to watch out for in publishing

Do you want creative ideas for your book? You can start by looking at the latest trends in the publishing industry.

Publishing consultant Ruediger Wischenbart reported that global trends have popped up in the industry, such as the rise of interest in e-books and audiobooks. The publishing consultant also noted that readers are shifting from traditionally popular genres like romance and mysteries to children’s stories, young adult titles, and even nonfiction books. The consultant notes that this shift may be due to the changes in the digital marketing strategies of publishers and authors themselves.

So, if you want your book to attract the attention of publishers and readers, here are some trends that you need to watch out for:

High demand for audiobooks

Launching an audiobook may seem optional, especially when you’ve already published a book. However, a Pew Research Center survey revealed that about 20% of people in the US listened to audiobook recordings in the past year. It seems that this trend will continue to flourish in the next few years because platforms like Audible make it easy for people to listen to book recordings anytime and anywhere they want. So if you want to reach a bigger audience, you can create an audio version of your book by working with an audiobook narrator and audio engineer. You can then publish the mp3 files on Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) and other audiobook companies.


New approaches to digital marketing

As previously mentioned, authors and publishers have changed their approach to marketing. A guide to working in publishing by Maryville University emphasizes that the internet encouraged publishers and authors to optimize websites, blogs, and social media campaigns in reaching potential readers. Viewership on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook has increased by 99% since 2019, which is why many authors do live streams to host real-time book readings, question-and-answer sessions, and even contests. Authors are also starting to send out book previews and special offers through e-mail newsletters, now that the amount of email users is projected to reach three billion by 2023.

 
Maximalist designs for book covers

Your book cover also serves as a good marketing strategy. Our article on ‘Promotional Designs to Sell Your Book’ explains that a good book cover can capture the attention of readers on your social media posts, website, and flyers. You can also make 3D renderings of your book cover because these depictions would look particularly well with the trending maximalist designs. Trending book covers typically feature bright and rich hues, such as yellow and red, mixed with playful illustrations that allude to the book’s themes. By experimenting with the colors and renderings of your cover design, your book will look more attractive to your target readers.


Sustainable publishing practices

Sustainable practices are a key trend in publishing. Authors and publishers have been trying to publish audiobooks and market works on digital platforms to reduce their paper consumption and carbon footprint. On top of that, experts from Portland State University stated that publishers are also trying to become more eco-friendly by utilizing print-on-demand. Print-on-demand strategies are convenient and faster, plus authors can also use them to proof books and create marketing assets. Once people order these print-on-demand books, you can reduce your carbon footprint by leveraging local deliveries, trade organizations, or even bookseller associations that shorten the delivery process.


These trends rose to popularity because they align with the preferences of readers. By following these trends, you can ensure that your book will garner the attention of your target readers.
 
  
Article written by Rebecca Juliana