TikTok parent company ByteDance begins approaching authors with new publishing arm

TikTok parent company ByteDance has begun approaching authors with offers under its new publishing arm 8th Note Press, The Bookseller understands.

ByteDance filed a trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office for the publisher in April, describing it as a company providing a range of book publishing services, including print, e-books and audiobooks. According to the description, it would also create an ecosystem in which “virtual communities” can “participate in discussions, consumer reviews and social networking".

Former Penguin Random House editor Katherine Pelz, who specialises in romance, has been hired as an acquisitions editor, according to the New York Times. ByteDance has issued no official statement to the press so far, however told The Bookseller that 8th Note Press was unaffiliated with TikTok and solely a ByteDance initiative. Moreover, they stated plans to publish reissue titles and new stories, but declined to comment further.

An author told The Bookseller they had been approached by the press with an offer for publication, with the press stating they were interested in publishing their fantasy and romance, but the author declined due to “the low advance as well as their inability to provide any clear print distribution channels".

They said: “For me, partnering with a publisher of that nature would be to expand my print distribution, and they did not currently have that as an option."

The author also expressed concern about 8th Note Press’ connection to TikTok, considering they are both owned by ByteDance. The author said: "BookTok is a community built on authenticity, and the reason it drives sales is due to readers raving about the books they love. If the publisher enters that space and pushes their own videos to go viral, will that damage the authenticity of the BookTok community? I was tempted, as TikTok does sell books, but in the end I chose not to accept their offer.”

In emails shared with The Bookseller, the author was told the publisher was looking for backlists and new romance and fantasy releases and offered an advance of $3,500 (£2,675) per title. They were also told that the press was digital first for now with limited print on demand until TikTok’s direct online shopping function was ready.