My Predictions for Publishing for 2025

What you need to know to move forward with your writing this year, because it's a turbulent time in the industry.

Photo by Alexandra Diaconu on Unsplash

2024 was a year in magazine, online and book publishing that saw a sea change on every level, as I discuss here on my podcast episode #119, Estelle’s Edge on Steering Through the Publishing Gauntlet but I think 2025 is going to be even more of a wild ride. Here are my predictions/suggestions for the industry as we move into a new year.

1. Figure out the Imprint

There are so many new imprints emerging from the Big 5 that it is helpful for a writer or author to know which one belongs to what publisher. New ones are emerging every day. In fact, I recently did podcast episode #121 on Hachette’s Legacy Lit imprint, with Publisher Krishan Trotman.

Because there are so many coming out, for many reasons, I find that getting a month or six month subscription to Publisher’s Marketplace is a very helpful way to keep abreast of all the news that’s fit to print.

Estelle’s Edge: If you don ‘t want to pay, at least sign up for Publisher’s Lunch, which is free, and also offers a deluxe paid version.

2. Hating on Goodreads

Most authors have begun ignoring Goodreads. Amazon does better vetting, whereas Goodreads does no vetting. That makes a huge difference. I don’t spend any time focused on it, and I recommend that you don’t either. I also wouldn’t bother linking your Goodreads to Amazon. It doesn’t matter; Amazon is King, like it or not.

It seems like Storygraph is a platform to check out instead of Goodreads.

Estelle’s Edge: Maybe Amazon will drop Goodreads soon. I’m not sure the benefits to them at the moment. Perhaps if publishers through their authors put pressure on Goodreads they will have more order and make more sense, but right now it’s like the wild, Wild West, and you don’t want to be there.

3. Substack Magazines Will Be the New Game in Town Shorter Fiction Will Rule the Roost

The idea is quick reads, but with a literary bent. I don’t think these magazines will be consumer-focused. I think the plan for many “publishers” and I use the term loosely, is to move into Substack for a new publication. The upsides on this are clear: you can use a name or your name to build Substack readership, and then move to a paying model, or have a payment segment. The issue, as I say in my podcast episode, here, is that there will be different levels of talent, quality, and yes, editing, and just because someone starts a literary site/magazine, doesn’t mean that they know how to publish one. I think here is where experience is going to be useful. Possibly, some of the hundreds of people let go from major publishers this year might start consulting on these ventures. It makes sense: they know how to run a vertical; curate content and work with writers. Ones I follow: Open Secrets, Another Jane Pratt Thing (because of nostalgia, and I once wrote an essay for Jane) and Sari Botton’s Memoir Land.

Estelle’s Edge: Keep an eye out for this trend. I’ll have more on this soon.

4. TikTok Might Go Bye-Bye if ByteDance Doesn’t Sell by January 19

Yes, they are launching a publishing division, but that won’t matter if the new administration has their way (and probably will). I admit, I’ve been one of those who have gone down the rabbit hole of TikTok (here is my account), but mostly I use it for clips from my podcast and writing advice.

The fact, is that the industry needs to find another way to maximize breaking through the noise. TikTok has done that effectively by narrowing our attention span. I noted in this piece a while ago that it has been shortening for years.

Estelle’s Edge: Look at Taylor Swift who became an instant bestseller by aligning with Target. I think we are headed to the old days of radio when companies partnered with corporations/manufacturers/wholesalers, except it will be publishers who might do this.

5. AI, As a Helper

I am a fan of ChatGPT and Claude use it often, particularly when creating slides or course schedules using material I share with it. It saves me a ton of time. I check and edit anything it tells me, however, since at the moment A1 is in its infancy, and is making mistakes. That will be changing as it evolves. You can’t ignore it, and you might even find administrative tasks that it can help you with.

Estelle’s Edge: People didn’t understand computers when they first came out. I remember. I was a magazine editor-in-chief at W.I.T (Women in Touch)and commissioned a then ground-breaking piece about how you can decorate your house, get help with your chores, teach your kids with help from the Internet. People were shocked, but now nobody would blink an eye. I believe that is where we are headed with AI. I do think that publishers need to watch that AI books aren’t being created. Jane Friedman does a great job with that discussion.

6. Publications Are Shutting Down

I’ve said this in my episode, but every day I am hearing of cuts to editorial staff at Huffington Post, Vox, Washington Post, Buzzfeed, and more. Many are focusing on shutting down their newsrooms and getting rid of the news teams. Most people aren’t going to publications for news, they are going to TikTok or X. Poynter highlighted how many jobs are being cut and this was just the beginning. They also did an update for 2024 that isn’t counting the ones from this week. That is leaving a slew of talented professionals available for the same writing assignments that others are vying for. And with the contracting publication landscape, that is a problem. Traditional media is going away, and a new frontier of media is emerging, mainly derived from social media sites, but that will be translating into paid venues.

Estelle’s Edge: In my podcast, Freelance Writing Direct I try to highlight editors of credible publications who are looking for content. Episode#118 is on Next Avenue/PBS which has a multi-million number circulation (equivalent to AARP and Huffington Post), is skewing ever younger, plus covering the 50+ market, pays, and is looking for content. You can see/listen to the episode here, or watch it on YouTube, and I also include the pitching portal.

This is a free post, and I am leaving the comments section open for all. I will keep your comment as long as it is respectful to me and others, you don’t self-promote, and if you are kind. That’s it.

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Happy writing.

Estelle