The year 2024 was marked by a dynamic of growth and creativity for self-publishing platforms. Overall, they recorded positive financial results and a strong increase in the number of publications. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Kobo Writing Life (KWL), Librinova, Bookelis and BooksOnDemand (BoD) have been able to adapt to the new expectations of authors and readers, by offering increasingly diversified services. Author mediation and the search for new talents remain major challenges for these players in the sector.
Self-publishing platforms are thriving
Overall, 2024 has been a successful year for the various self-publishing platforms. According to Lara Boso manager at KWL, the platform closed the financial year with a 9% increase in its turnover compared to 2023. On an international scale and at constant scope (without adding the new countries in which the platform was launched in 2024), KWL records growth of 16%.
With a sharply increasing turnover, reaching 2.5 million euros for 2024, all the lights are also green for Librinova. A balance sheet that Charlotte Allibertthe general director, is delighted to share: “ This year was particularly significant for us, as it celebrated 10 years since the launch of Librinova and confirmed that self-publishing is more than ever a booming sector. »
Bookelis, for its part, displays notable stability compared to last year, with an overall turnover comparable to that of 2023. Amazon KDP did not wish to communicate on the evolution of its turnover, just like BoD, which however notes a large number of new releases, although it remains identical to that of the previous year.
An ever more creative year
In 2024, BoD will register 2,500 new titles (excluding private books without ISBN). A stable figure compared to 2023, contrary to the general trend of platforms which are experiencing a sharp increase in the number of new creations. For its part, KWL welcomed 5,000 new publications, which represents a 20% increase in the number of works created. Bookelis also notes strong growth in the creation of titles, with 3,350 self-published works in 2024 (+8%).
For its part, Librinova is experiencing significant growth in the number of new titles (+20%) but at the same time observes a decrease in bookstore sales. A decline offset by a significant increase in printings of authors’ copies (+30%) sold during increasingly frequent public events, as well as by a sharp increase in sales of communication services (+25%), analysis Charlotte Allibert. Conversely, at Bookelis, Émilie Le Coguiec marketing/communications manager, reports a clear increase in bookstore sales for certain authors.
Detecting new talents: a constant challenge
In 2024 the challenge for platforms remains the same: finding new ideas and facilitating their promotion, as explained Geraldine Codronresponsible for the books category, at Amazon: “ We also wish to promote the work of independent authors through the annual Les Plumes Francophones writing competition, which rewards the best in self-publishing in the French language. ». Fin 2024, Léonie Bloom received the Plumes francophones prize as well as a grant of 10,000 euros for his novel The Little Old Man who traveled around the world (3 times).
A strategy shared by the Kobo platform. Last November, the latter relaunched “Writing Month”, a 21-day challenge accompanied by a call for manuscripts.
Romance at the top of the trends
While creativity is high in self-publishing, certain genres dominate the market. Among the most popular, romance is essential at Kobo, Bookelis and Amazon KDP. We also note an over-representation of thrillers and feel-good novels at Kobo and fantasy at Bookelis.
Trends corroborated by Geraldine Codronat Amazon KDP: “ In France, independent authors who write in the fantasy, romance and thriller genres continue to gain popularity in our bestseller rankings. Authors such as Jupiter Phaeton, Laurence Chevallier et Sébastien Theveny are among the most widely read authors publishing in these genres through KDP ».
Strengthened support for authors
To maintain their progress and attract new talents, the platforms agree to pamper their authors. Geraldine Codron underlines : ” Authors who publish through KDP retain their copyright, retain creative control, distribute their works globally and in multiple languages, digitally and in print, and receive royalties of up to 70%. “. In fact, since 2014, authors using KDP and having chosen to make their books available via Kindle Unlimited have accumulated more than $3.5 billion in revenue from the reading of their works.
Émilie Le Coguiecat Bookelis, discusses the benefits of the platform’s participation in the conference of independent authors organized by Jupiter Phaeton on November 12 and 13, 2024 at the Espace Saint-Martin in Paris. An event which, according to her, allowed fruitful exchanges with the authors.
Pour 2025, Noémie Machnerin charge of marketing and communication at BoD, wishes for his part “ offer personalized and optimized support for authors with strong commercial potential “. Like Bookelis which this year established “ a partnership offering a book promotion service with a more professional and accessible approach “, developed Emilie Le Coguiec Marketing/Communication manager of the platform.
Mediation and visibility: ongoing efforts
To ensure the mediation of their works, the platforms have, once again this year, implemented several actions. In 2024, KWL carried out three promotional operations, with lists of new releases sent by email to readers. The platform also launched Kobo Plus in Switzerland last spring, creating new opportunities for self-published titles.
At Librinova, mediation allowed the platform to sign important contracts with major publishers. In 2024, Nomadic garden of Claire Elderwinner of the Star Prize, signed with JC Lattès, Cherry trees also bloom at night of Guarantee Solveig at Charleston, and The sweetness of red pepper of Laurie Heyme at Michel Lafon, among others.
Innovate to stay competitive: developments for 2024
This year, several developments have made it possible to stay the course. BoD has thus carried out a major overhaul of its services, with the complete overhaul of its website and the optimization of its “Printing”, “Publication”, “Plus” and “Premium” packages. Since 2024, the platform has also offered on-demand chatting services, particularly popular in the fantasy, young adult and romance genres. Moreover, ” BoD now supports authors in the production and distribution of audiobooks, and plans to continue its efforts to reduce printing times and improve its production capacities “, developed Noémie Machner.
At the same time, new initiatives were launched in 2024. Librinova, for example, has developed writing workshops led by successful authors such as Laura Manel, Carène Ponte et Sophie Astrabie. For its part, Bookelis is focusing on strengthening its digital book sales strategy. Finally, others like KWL wish “ sustain the successes of 2024 “, as explained Lara Boso, at KWL. The platform is partly banking on its international expansion to achieve this.
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