Literary Trends: Why More People Are Writing Than Reading in the Age of Self-Publishing

TL,DR

More people are writing books than reading them. Only 37.6% of U.S. adults read fiction in 2022, a record low, yet publishing tools make launching easier than ever. Reading has shifted, not vanished, so authors who understand how readers discover books have the advantage.

Ask a room of ten adults whether they have a book in them, and several will say yes. Ask how many finished a book last month, and the show of hands thins considerably. That gap sits at the center of today’s literary trends: aspiring authors are multiplying, while the time and attention available to read them haven’t kept pace. 

Writing a manuscript has become easier, cheaper, and more socially rewarded than ever, while sustained reading competes with an endless supply of screens. Understanding why, and what it means for anyone weighing how to publish a book, requires looking at both sides of the page.

The Great Imbalance: Why More People Are Writing Than Reading

Two data points frame the picture. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) found in its 2022 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts that only 37.6 percent of U.S. adults had read a novel or short story in the previous twelve months. As Publishers Weekly reported, that was the lowest rate since the survey began tracking it in 1992, and four points below 2017. In 2012, the figure for novels and short stories was 45.1 percent.

On the writing side, Bowker, the agency that issues ISBNs in the United States, has tracked an extraordinary climb. Bowker counts only books that carry ISBNs, so the true volume is higher, and the two datasets measure different things. Even so, together they describe a market where supply has exploded while attention has not. More books now appear each year than any reader could sample in a lifetime.

What Is Driving the Writing Boom?

Lower Barriers to Entry

Word processors, free editing tools, print-on-demand, and e-book distribution removed the gatekeepers and the capital that once stood between a writer and a finished book. A first-time author can move from draft to listed product in days. Modern eBook publishing services have made digital distribution accessible to writers who want faster launches without relying entirely on traditional publishing timelines. 

Writing as Identity and Therapy

Writing has also become a way to process experience. Memoir, grief journals, newsletters, and serialized fiction on platforms such as Wattpad and Substack let people build an audience without ever approaching a publisher. Many writers describe the act itself as valuable regardless of sales. A book is also a credential: consultants, coaches, and founders increasingly publish to establish authority in their fields.

Social Platforms Reward Makers, Not Consumers

Social media celebrates creation. A writer sharing a cover reveal or a “my debut is out” video earns visible validation. Reading, by contrast, is private and leaves little trace, so the culture quietly rewards producers over consumers.

Self-Publishing Growth and Publishing Industry Changes

Self-publishing no longer carries the stigma it did twenty years ago. Kindle Direct Publishing, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, and similar tools turned independent authorship into a legitimate career path. Amazon self publishing has also changed how independent authors launch books, giving writers direct access to readers while making marketing, pricing, and visibility their responsibility. Some of the strongest genre performance in romance, fantasy, and science fiction now comes from independent authors who publish quickly and cultivate loyal readerships.

Meanwhile, traditional publishing has consolidated around a small number of large houses. Many lean on established names and celebrity titles, and debut and midlist authors often feel the squeeze. Discovery has shifted as well. Bookstore shelves matter less than short videos, reader communities, and algorithmic recommendations.

Readership Trends: Reading Is Fragmenting, Not Vanishing

It would be wrong to declare reading dead. Audiobooks have grown steadily, serialized fiction thrives on dedicated apps, and communities such as BookTok have revived backlist titles that publishers had written off. Writers in specialized categories, including those who want to publish a poetry book, can also use independent platforms to reach smaller but highly engaged audiences.

The NEA’s 2022 survey asked about audio for the first time, and 17.6 percent of adults said they had listened to novels or short stories. What has changed is the form that reading takes: in fragments, on commutes, on phones, and by ear. Long, uninterrupted print reading has lost ground, even as total engagement with words may be higher than ever.

This distinction matters for authors. Readers rarely stumble onto a book anymore. They meet it through a clip, a friend’s recommendation, or a feed. A writer who understands that path has a real advantage over one who simply uploads a manuscript and waits. Effective book promotion often starts before release, with authors building connections through communities, newsletters, and targeted marketing channels.

Self-Publishing Mistakes Made From the Writer-Reader Gap

Consider a retired teacher, a composite of many first-time authors, who spends three years on a family-saga novel. She uploads it the week she finishes, with a cover she designed herself and no outside edit. Sales stall at a few dozen copies, mostly friends. She hasn’t failed as a writer; she’s fallen into the most common self-publishing mistakes, many of which trace back to writing far more than reading in one’s own genre. Many new authors can avoid self publishing mistakes and setbacks by reviewing their process before launch, especially editing, design, and audience planning. 

• Skipping professional editing. Developmental and copyediting catch problems that familiarity hides from the author.
• Ignoring genre conventions. Readers expect certain lengths, pacing, cover styles, and tropes. Not reading widely in your category makes these invisible.
• Weak covers and metadata. Titles, categories, and descriptions determine whether anyone finds the book at all.
• Publishing without an audience plan. A book released into silence rarely finds momentum on its own.
• Overpaying without comparing terms. Enthusiasm can lead authors to sign for services whose costs outweigh any realistic return.

How to Publish a Book Without Losing Your Footing

If you are researching how to publish a book, begin with an honest question: what is this book for? A family legacy project, a professional credential, and a debut novel aimed at bestseller lists each require a different approach.

Traditional publishing offers prestige and wide distribution, but it demands patience, polished query letters, and usually an agent. Professional book publishers can provide experienced editorial teams, established distribution networks, and industry guidance for authors pursuing a traditional publishing route.

The cost to publish a book varies widely based on editing needs, cover design, formatting, marketing support, and the publishing route an author chooses. Self-publishing offers speed and control but makes you your own publisher, responsible for editing, design, and marketing. 

The hybrid publishing process falls between the two.  Authors typically contribute to production costs in exchange for professional editing, design, and distribution, and usually keep a larger share of royalties. Reputable hybrid publishers are selective, transparent about fees, and clear about who owns the rights.

Be cautious with a vanity publisher, a company that earns most of its income from author fees rather than book sales, accepts almost any manuscript, and delivers little genuine distribution. Warning signs include guaranteed bestseller claims, vague contracts, and pressure to purchase bulk copies.

When comparing book publishing services such as editing, cover design, formatting, distribution, and marketing, ask for itemized pricing, samples of past work, and written terms covering royalties and rights. Authors should retain copyright. Watchdog resources run by author advocacy groups, including the Alliance of Independent Authors, are worth consulting before signing anything.

Literary Trends Worth Remembering: Write Generously, Read Widely

The rise of authors over readers is less a crisis than a correction in who gets to participate in literary culture. More voices are being heard, and that is worth celebrating. But the most durable lesson from current literary trends is that writing and reading are partners, not rivals. Authors who read widely in their genre write more convincingly, avoid costly missteps, and find their audiences faster.

Whether the path is traditional, independent, or hybrid, lasting books respect the reader’s time and the craft behind them. Anyone about to join the growing ranks of authors would do well to spend as much time on the reader’s side of the page as on the writer’s.

Frequently Asked Questions

What genre of book is in high demand?

Romance, including romantasy, remains among the strongest-selling categories, alongside mystery and thriller, fantasy, and science fiction. In nonfiction, memoir, self-improvement, and practical how-to titles perform consistently. Demand shifts, so check current bestseller lists and genre-specific reader communities before committing to a project.

What is trending in books right now?

Recent trends include romantasy, cozy fiction, and domestic-suspense thrillers. Audiobooks continue to grow, and reader communities on social platforms strongly influence which titles gain momentum. Illustrated editions and special-format releases have also drawn collector interest.

Are people really reading less than they used to?

NEA survey data shows a decline in the share of adults who read fiction: 37.6 percent read a novel or short story in the 2022 survey period, the lowest rate recorded. However, reading has shifted rather than disappeared, with audiobooks, serialized fiction, and online communities capturing attention that once went to print.

What is the difference between hybrid publishing and a vanity publisher?

Both may involve author payment, but the difference lies in selectivity, transparency, and distribution. A reputable hybrid publisher vets manuscripts, lists its fees clearly, offers professional production, and lets authors keep substantial rights. A vanity publisher typically accepts nearly anything and earns mainly from author fees.

What are the most common self-publishing mistakes?

Common mistakes include skipping professional editing, using an unprofessional cover, misjudging genre expectations, neglecting metadata, and launching without a plan to reach readers. Carefully comparing service terms also helps authors avoid overspending.