If one of your New Year’s resolutions is self-publishing your book, you’re in good company! Self-publishing is on the rise, increasing by 264% in the last five years. Self-publishing is becoming the preferred choice for new and established authors to publish their works on their terms. So, how popular is self-publishing, and what will the industry hold in the future? Below, we share the state of the self-publishing industry based on the latest statistics.

Self-Publishing Industry: Where We Stand

It’s estimated that 300 million self-published books are sold annually, totaling $1.25 billion in sales. In the US alone, 500,000 new self-published works were released in 2023. In contrast, traditional publishers only released 10,000 new titles in the same year. With conventional publishers only publishing 2% of the manuscripts they receive, self-publishing is becoming the preferred method for many authors.

The Most In-Demand Self-Publishing Genres

Romance is consistently the most popular book genre, regardless of publishing or distribution type. It’s estimated that 40% of self-published books on Amazon are romance novels. With high demand and inventory, self-published authors looking to break into this niche may consider exploring various subgenres, such as fantasy. For Christian authors looking to enter this genre, embracing a small target audience and telling unique God-centered stories will help you thrive.

Where Self-Published Books are Sold

Last year was the first time more than half of all books were sold online. Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the most popular way to distribute a self-published book, with 90% of self-published authors utilizing KDP and its print-on-demand services. While there are some risks with listing your book on Amazon, the platform’s dominance in the industry makes it imperative to consider listing your book on the platform. Yes, you can do it yourself, but there is more to having a successful book than simply getting it on Amazon. That is why you want to partner with someone like EABooks—we know what makes a self-published book successful.

The Role of AI

The introduction of generative AI in 2022 has rocked the writing world in every aspect. One thing is clear—AI isn’t going away. More businesses, writers, and publishing companies are utilizing AI to enhance their writing, build more efficient workflows, and get unstuck in their writing. However, utilizing human creativity is essential—especially when publishing a book. Most self-published authors surveyed stated they don’t use AI to help them write their books but use it to help develop marketing materials to promote their works. At EABooks we encourage the use of AI as a writing tool, but not to write your book.

Average Self-Published Book Length

The average word count for a standard book is between 45,000 and 80,000 words. A threshold of 40,000 words is considered the minimum word count for most genes. Call us about your specific project and we’ll guide you on the current trends.

When to Publish Your Self-Published Book

When you publish your book influences its success. January and February are ideal for self-help, business, and health books, as readers often seek personal growth content as the new year begins. Young Adult and children’s books perform well in spring. Bible studies are popular in June and July when church leaders plan for fall and holiday studies. The day of the week also matters.

Self Publishing in 2025 with EABooks Publishing

If you are considering publishing, there’s never been a better time. The self-publishing industry will continue to grow in the next few years. However, navigating all the aspects of self-publishing can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where our team at EABooks Publishing comes in. As a full-service self-publishing company, we can help you self-publish your book—together! From editing your manuscript to promoting your published work, we’re with you every step of the way. We can’t wait to help you share your story with the world. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more and take the next step in your self-publishing journey.