ByteDance, Parent Company of TikTok, Closes Its Brief Book Publishing Division

As reported by The Bookseller, ByteDance, the parent organization of TikTok, is discontinuing its book publishing division, known as 8th Note Press.

Thanks to the #BookTok community, TikTok has evolved into a vital platform for publishers aiming to increase book sales. Independent authors have also achieved notable success through viral exposure on the app. In 2023, ByteDance aimed to capitalize on this trend by entering the publishing sector to market its own titles.

However, ByteDance’s foray into publishing is rapidly coming to a close. Authors were initially drawn to 8th Note Press because of its perceived ability to boost sales through its TikTok tie-in, but the press is now notifying writers that it will cease operations and return their publication rights.

The rationale for ByteDance’s rapid dissolution of the press is still unknown. The company has not addressed TechCrunch’s inquiries and has yet to provide comments to other media sources.