ByteDance shuts down 8th Note Press, the TikTok parent company’s short-lived foray into book publishing, marking an abrupt end to what was once seen as a bold expansion into the literary industry. The decision, first reported by The Bookseller and later confirmed, signals a retreat from ByteDance’s ambitions to monetize the viral success of the #BookTok community.
From #BookTok to Book Deals
Launched in 2023, 8th Note Press aimed to convert TikTok’s cultural sway in literature into a direct publishing business. With TikTok driving massive book sales and spawning bestsellers from previously unknown authors, ByteDance hoped to capitalize on that momentum by signing and promoting its own authors.
Writers were initially drawn to the imprint for its perceived direct pipeline to TikTok virality. The assumption was clear: being affiliated with ByteDance’s publishing house could offer unparalleled promotional reach across the platform’s algorithm-driven user base.
Closure Comes Quietly and Without Explanation
Despite the high expectations, ByteDance has begun informing authors that 8th Note Press is shutting down and will return all publication rights. The company has not provided a public explanation or responded to requests for comment from TechCrunch or other news outlets.
The closure leaves questions around ByteDance’s strategy, especially given TikTok’s continued dominance in online book discovery. The #BookTok hashtag has amassed billions of views and continues to influence both mainstream publishers and independent authors alike.
Industry Implications and Missed Opportunities
Publishing insiders speculate that ByteDance may have underestimated the complexities of the book industry, from editorial curation to distribution logistics. Others suggest that regulatory scrutiny and market uncertainty may have played a role in the quiet withdrawal.
Despite ByteDance’s exit, TikTok remains a formidable platform for book marketing, helping authors like Colleen Hoover, Alex Aster, and others reach global audiences. Publishers and authors will likely continue leveraging the app’s cultural reach even without an in-house press backing the effort.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmmYaICSjwc
