TikTok's ByteDance Shuts Down Book Publishing Venture

ByteDance Shuts Down 8th Note Press Publishing Venture

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is discontinuing operations at its book publishing division, 8th Note Press. This decision comes according to a recent report published by The Bookseller.

TikTok's Influence on Book Sales

TikTok, through its vibrant #BookTok community, has established itself as a crucial platform for publishers seeking to boost book sales. The app has even enabled self-published authors to achieve remarkable success through viral content.

In 2023, ByteDance initiated a publishing venture, 8th Note Press, based on the premise that capitalizing on the app’s influence on book purchasing was a logical progression.

The Closure of 8th Note Press

However, ByteDance’s experiment in publishing is being brought to a close. Authors who partnered with 8th Note Press, attracted by the potential for increased sales through TikTok affiliation, are now being informed that the press will cease operations.

As a result, publication rights are being returned to the authors.

Reasons for the Shutdown Remain Unknown

The rationale behind ByteDance’s decision to close 8th Note Press after a brief period remains unclear. The company has yet to issue a statement regarding the closure.

TechCrunch’s request for comment has gone unanswered, as have inquiries from other news organizations.