ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, will start publishing print books under its imprint, 8th Note Press. The company plans to release its first physical books in February 2024.
8th Note Press focuses on genres popular on TikTok’s BookTok, such as romance, contemporary fiction, young adult, and “romantasy” (a mix of romance and fantasy).
The first print title, On Screen & Off Again by Caitlin Cross, comes out on 4 February. It tells the story of two childhood stars reconnecting as adults.
More titles will follow, including:
- The Last Man in Paradise by Syed M Masood (18 March), about a Muslim American man and his family.
- To Have and Have More by Sanibel (15 April), exploring race, privilege, and friendship through the eyes of a Korean girl adopted into a wealthy white family.
Books will be sold in partnership with Zando, an independent publisher. ByteDance says its focus is on trends: what people are reading and discussing online.
TikTok’s BookTok community has already boosted book sales for authors like Colleen Hoover and Sarah J Maas. ByteDance aims to tap into this influence by publishing books that match these online conversations.
Other titles planned for 2024 include Learning to Fall by Peach Morris in May, about roller derby and queer identity, and The Lost Saint by Rachael Craw, a time travel romance arriving in June.
Since its launch in August 2023, 8th Note Press has already published several ebooks, including mystery romances and fantasy titles. With print books coming soon, ByteDance hopes to make an even bigger impact on the publishing world.
