Publishing Unbundled
Amazon unbundled bookstores, now authors are unbundling Amazon. Discover the ownership stack and how to build a real business as an author.
The Publishing Industry Is Getting Unbundled (And That's Great For Authors)
Amazon unbundled bookstores. Now authors are unbundling Amazon. Here's why...
The Unbundling Thesis
- Then: Publishers controlled everything (printing, distribution, marketing, sales)
- Now: Authors can own each piece separately
- Next: Authors own the entire stack (and keep all the value)
What's Being Unbundled
Writing Tools
- Before: Microsoft Word monopoly
- Now: AI assistants, distraction-free editors, collaboration tools
- Impact: Better writing, faster production
Publishing
- Before: Traditional publishers or Amazon KDP
- Now: Direct-to-reader platforms, POD integration, global distribution
- Impact: Keep 85% instead of 30-40%
Marketing
- Before: Publisher's marketing budget or paid ads
- Now: Email, community, content marketing, social
- Impact: Own your audience, not rent it
Sales
- Before: Bookstores or Amazon
- Now: Your own store, multiple platforms, direct relationships
- Impact: Customer data, pricing control, upsell opportunities
The Ownership Stack
- Layer 1: Content (your book)
- Layer 2: Platform (your website/store)
- Layer 3: Audience (your email list)
- Layer 4: Revenue (multiple streams)
This framework helps authors understand what they can control and how to build a sustainable business.
The 10-Year Trend
- 2015: Amazon dominated everything
- 2020: Authors started direct sales
- 2025: Authors build real businesses
- 2030: Prediction for what's next
Look at the trend: authors are gaining more control over their work and their audience. This is the future of publishing.
AuthorKit: The Unbundling in Action
AuthorKit represents this unbundling. We provide authors with the tools they need to own their content, platform, audience, and revenue streams. All in one place.
Conclusion
The future of publishing isn't about publishers. It's about authors. With the right tools and mindset, authors can build real businesses and keep the value they create.
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This article was AI-generated using llama-3.3-70b-versatile and reviewed by our team.