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ByteDance’s 8th Note Press, a publisher launched in 2023 with a focus on books associated with TikTok’s BookTok community, was reported to be closing in June 2025. Authors were told the imprint would shut down and publication rights would be returned, though the reports do not establish that every contract had been resolved. ByteDance did not give a public reason for the closure in the cited coverage.
What happened to 8th Note Press?
8th Note Press was ByteDance’s publishing imprint, positioned around genres popular with BookTok readers. In November 2024, ByteDance announced plans to publish physical books, with releases expected in shops in early 2025. The Guardian reported on the print-publishing plan.
In June 2025, several publishing outlets reported that the imprint was shutting down. TechCrunch reported that authors were being told the press would close and return publication rights. Publishers Weekly said authors and agents had received emails the previous month and reported that ByteDance representatives declined to comment. The Bookseller described authors negotiating the return of their rights.
Those accounts establish that the closure was reported and rights returns were under way or promised; they do not confirm the final status of every author’s contract or title.
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Which books did the imprint publish?
The print program targeted BookTok-popular categories, including young adult and contemporary fiction and romantasy. Publishers Weekly identified two print releases and reported that Zando was 8th Note Press’s print-publishing partner:
- On Screen and Off Again by Caitlin Cross, released in February 2025.
- The Last Man in Paradise by Syed M. Masood, reported as released the month before Publishers Weekly’s June 23, 2025 story.
The closure reports do not establish whether those books remain available from retailers or what will happen to each edition. Readers looking for a copy should check current listings by title and author and confirm the edition.
Why is ByteDance closing 8th Note Press?
The cited coverage does not provide an official explanation. TechCrunch said the reason was unclear and that ByteDance had not responded to its request for comment; Publishers Weekly reported that representatives declined to comment. Claims that the closure resulted from poor sales, a strategic shift, or impatience are not established by those accounts.
The New York Times reported that some authors and agents had been attracted by the possibility of TikTok helping promote books. That was an expectation of the imprint’s potential, not evidence of a measured sales or marketing effect.
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What the closure means for authors and readers
For authors, the practical issue is the return of publication rights. June 2025 reports describe authors being notified or negotiating rights returns, but do not document the completed outcome for every contract. The details therefore depend on the individual author’s agreement and the status of the return process.
For readers, the closure does not by itself establish that the named books have been withdrawn or become unavailable. The reporting confirms the titles’ publication context, not present stock, future editions, or the arrangements for each book after the imprint’s shutdown.
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