Publishing Trends Roundup:
What’s Working in July 2025

by: Susan Gast / Author & Digital Creator

I’m not a publishing coach or strategist, but I am in the trenches — publishing, experimenting, promoting — and sharing what I learn along the way. This week's roundup has some especially helpful insights for nonfiction authors looking to grow their reach without burning out.

Which Self-Publishing Platforms Are Worth It in 2025?

If you’re gearing up to publish — or maybe rethinking how you distribute your backlist — Dave Chesson’s latest roundup cuts through the noise. He breaks down the top 8 self-publishing platforms into three categories: retailers (like KDP and Apple Books), aggregators (like Draft2Digital and PublishDrive), and full-service providers (like BookBaby).

The biggie? Amazon KDP still holds a jaw-dropping 85% of the ebook market — but Dave reminds us that the other 15% is nothing to sneeze at. Apple, B&N, and Kobo all have loyal reader bases (especially internationally), and they’re worth targeting if you want to expand your reach.

He also explains when to use aggregators like Draft2Digital (his personal fave), especially if you want to save time uploading to dozens of storefronts — or don’t own a Mac (since publishing to Apple Books directly requires one).

💡 Best takeaway: There’s no one-size-fits-all. You might start with Amazon and Draft2Digital, or mix in Kobo if you’re aiming for Canadian readers. If you’d rather not DIY your edits and cover, BookBaby’s full-service model might suit you better.

Dave also shares his personal combo: he uploads directly to KDP, B&N, Apple, and Kobo, then uses D2D to handle the rest.

The post is long but full of clarity — perfect if you’re tired of Googling, “where should I publish my book?” and just want a grown-up answer that works in 2025.

🔗 Read Dave Chesson’s full breakdown of publishing platforms here

How to Get More Reviews (Without Being Weird About It)

Joanna Penn’s latest episode (with reviewer Joe Walters) is a breath of fresh air for nonfiction authors who think reviews are the hardest part of the book journey—because let’s be honest, they can be.

Here's the breakdown:

• Customer reviews: Those all-important Amazon/Goodreads stars
• Editorial reviews: Short blurbs from authors or experts you can use in your marketing
• Influencer/blog reviews: Great reach—but trickier to land

Joe Walters emphasizes editorial blurbs for indie authors, with smart tips on how to ask without sounding desperate. He also covers ethical paid options (think Kirkus, Reedsy—not Fiverr!). Plus, they walk through how to handle negative feedback and why beta readers are still your best friends.

💡 Takeaway nugget: Build relationships before your launch. Reviewers are humans, not bots. Specific outreach (yes, even referencing that locker-room scene!) beats generic email blasts every time. And remember: 1-star reviews may sting, but they do get clicks.

This episode is a must-listen if you're tired of feeling awkward about reviews—and just want a real, doable plan that works for nonfiction authors.

🔗 Listen to the full episode on The Creative Penn here

New Author Shares Ad Results After 2 Weeks (Spoiler: It's Not a Home Run… Yet)

Over on Reddit, a first-time author dropped a transparent little recap of their first two weeks post-launch — and it’s the kind of post more people should write.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Price: $0.99
• Sales: 8 ebooks
• KU pages read: 2,066
• Best single day: 766 KENP pages read
• Strategy: 3 Amazon ads — auto, broad keywords, and one refined from top performers

Total royalties haven’t covered ad spend (yet), but the author’s playing the long game. They’re already building a follow-up book and treating the early data like stepping stones, not failures.

💡 Takeaway nugget: Early results aren’t always flashy, but they’re valuable. Amazon ads + KU can work for nonfiction if you’re willing to test, tweak, and stick with it. And pricing low (or even free temporarily) can help boost early visibility — especially with promo tools like Fussy Librarian or Freebooksy.

This is your reminder that nobody nails it on week one. What matters is collecting good data and using it to improve your next move. Kudos to this author for sharing their numbers instead of disappearing into the void.

🔗 Read the original Reddit thread here

B&N Press Giving Authors the Silent Treatment

Heads up if you’re publishing through Barnes & Noble Press: several authors on Reddit are reporting delays, frozen book statuses, and zero response from support — and it’s been going on for over a week.

One author had a pre-order title get stuck in “Publishing” status, with no way to request a proof copy. Another had a canceled title just... sit there. Others chimed in saying B&N’s been “slow in general” for a while now.

The most frustrating part? Emails to support have gone completely unanswered.

💡 Takeaway nugget: If you’re counting on B&N for a smooth release — especially with a print edition — you may want to reconsider. Some authors are now switching to IngramSpark or using Draft2Digital (which distributes to B&N anyway) just to avoid the drama.

B&N can be useful for visibility, especially for non-Amazon readers, but right now their internal gears seem to be grinding slower than a dial-up modem.

🔗 Read the original Reddit thread here

Viral Surprise: Your Book Just Got Featured (and You Didn’t Even Know It)

One of our fellow nonfiction authors over on Reddit shared a jaw-dropping story: their book, out of nowhere, saw 300+ downloads in a week—not because they promoted it, but because eReader Café, a free/discount ebook site, featured it to fill out their genre lineup.

Here’s what went down:

• 0 ad spend
• 2,000+ downloads in five days
• Temporary #1 ranking in its genre and a spot in the Top 100 Free Kindle Store

All without them even asking.

💡 Takeaway nugget: Smaller promo sites can still produce big results—even with minimal reach initially. You may get randomly featured (like this author did), or you can be pro-active and submit your book to platforms like eReader Café, Fussy Librarian, or Book Barbarian for predictable exposure.

And tip: keep an eye on sudden ranking or download spikes. If something’s trending, respond fast—maybe capitalize with a price tweak or an ad push.

🔗 Read the original Reddit thread here

Mid‑Year Snapshot from Steve Castledine: What’s Shaping Publishing in 2025

Steve Castledine’s July update on Medium gives us a clear (and slightly sobering) peek at the state of publishing as we hit the halfway point in 2025.

Here’s the big picture:

• Print-on-demand (PoD) is booming — expected to hit $75+ billion globally by 2033
• Fiction sales are growing slowly but steadily
• Non-fiction? It’s bumpier — especially in general advice and health categories

Also worth noting: new AI-powered tools like RogueBooks (fiction-focused for now) are starting to reshape how books are written and launched — and there’s more of that coming. Whether that’s exciting or overwhelming depends on how comfy you are with tech.

💡 Takeaway nugget: For nonfiction authors, niching down matters more than ever. General-topic books are losing steam, but titles that serve a specific audience with a clear outcome still have plenty of potential.

Also: print isn’t dead. In fact, PoD’s continued rise shows that readers still want physical books — especially high-quality ones with strong visuals or workbooks tied to a result.

If you're writing for a broad audience, it's time to zoom in. If you're already niche, double down and build that email list.

🔗 Read the full Medium article here