ByteDance, the parent company of the widely popular social media platform TikTok, is closing down its publishing arm, 8th Note Press, shortly after its launch in 2023. Initially created with hopes of leveraging TikTok’s influential #BookTok community—which has propelled numerous titles into bestseller territory—ByteDance’s publishing venture attracted authors looking to capitalize on the platform’s immense promotional capabilities.
Despite initial optimism surrounding the project, authors recently received notification that the publisher will cease operations. The authors have been assured that their publication rights will revert to them. However, the exact reasons behind ByteDance’s abrupt decision to shutter the venture remain unclear.
ByteDance has not responded to media inquiries regarding the shutdown or its motivations, maintaining public silence on details surrounding the closure of its short-lived publishing project.
