5 Top Book Publishing Trends For 2025

The book publishing industry will continue to undergo so many transformations in 2025 that new and seasoned authors may have trouble keeping up with all the changes. Technology, changing reader preferences, and innovative storytelling methods are among the factors driving book publishing trends this year. 

Although there are numerous changes, the following are five of the key trends in the industry this year. 

1. AI-Assisted Publishing Tools

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will continue to shake up the publishing industry. The use of AI by publishers has gone beyond basic editing and proofreading. Now, AI tools are used to analyze market trends, predict reader preferences, and even develop content. Publishers, however, say they are not using AI tools to replace human creativity but to improve the editorial process.

"The use of AI in our industry is evolving rapidly and we will continue to experiment and innovate," Charlie Redmayne, CEO of HarperCollins, said in an interview with The Bookseller. "Our aim is always to reach the widest possible audience for our authors’ work and to ensure appropriate remuneration for it. New channels and new tech with effective protections and an open mind help us achieve this, as we have seen with Spotify, which is bringing new listeners to audiobooks and delivering revenue for our authors and the business.”

2. Indie Authors Continue to Prefer the Romance, Fantasy, and Sci-fi Genres

According to a 2024 Indie Author Survey by Written Word Media, romance, fantasy, science fiction, and thriller are the top genres among indie authors. The survey found that 22.7 percent of authors said romance was their primary genre, followed by fantasy (12.8 percent), science fiction (7.5 percent), and thriller (7.2 percent).

This should not discourage authors who do not write in these top three genres. Find your unique audience and serve them well; many authors succeed by targeting specific underserved groups of readers. 

3. Genre Blending and New Categories

Writers will continue combining elements from different genres to create new hybrid categories. One genre trend is “romantasy,” the merging of romance with other genres, such as fantasy and science fiction.

“It’s hard to argue that romantasy isn’t the fastest-growing thing in the genre right now—I’m even hearing non-industry people mention it in casual conversation,” Brendan Deneen, director of media, TV, and film at Blackstone Publishing, told Library Journal. “The last time I heard a genre catchphrase like this catch on so fast was new adult.”

In addition to “romantasy,” and new adult (which explores the transition from late adolescence to early adulthood), other popular genre-blending categories include “urban fantasy” (fantasy that takes place in an urban setting and includes supernatural elements, such as vampires and witches) and “cyberpunk” (science fiction stories set in a dystopian futuristic setting).

Publishing experts say this trend reflects the diverse interests of readers and the publishing industry's move away from rigid classification systems.

4. Audio-First Publishing

The audiobook market will continue to grow in 2025. In fact, some publishers plan to adopt an audio-first approach for certain titles. Audio first refers to a book that is developed specifically for the audio format and may include sound effects, music, and dramatized adaptations. 

Advances in audio production technology have made high-quality recordings more accessible, and platforms like Audible, Spotify, and Apple Books are expanding their audiobook libraries. Some publishers are even prioritizing the audiobook format over a printed or digital text version.

5. The Growth of Short-Form Serialized Content

Short-form and serialized fiction have become very popular, thanks to platforms like Kindle Vella, Radish, and Wattpad. Readers enjoy reading stories in bite-sized installments, similar to TV series episodes. This trend is expected to expand this year, with publishers experimenting with subscription-based models and exclusive serialized content.

Publishers have noticed that readers who consume content on mobile devices enjoy this form of content since they can engage with stories on the go. Authors and publishers are also finding that serialized fiction encourages reader loyalty, as audiences return regularly for the next installment. This trend has led to the rise of "micro-books,” which are concise, focused works that can be read in one sitting.

Book Revenue Expected to Increase 

The transformations anticipated in 2025 are expected to contribute to revenue growth in the publishing industry. Revenue in the United States book market (which includes print, ebook, and audiobook) is expected to grow to $24.77 billion in 2025 while the book market worldwide is expected to reach nearly $94.94 billion in 2025, according to Statista.  

Although transformations will continue, one thing remains certain: The written word will always find new ways to captivate and inspire audiences, no matter how the industry evolves.

Are you planning to publish a book this year? If so, MarketingNewAuthors.com (MANA) can help. Contact MANA via email at info@marketingnewauthors.com, or visit our website: MarketingNewAuthors.biz, or contact MANA at 734-975-0028.