Publishing in the Age of Algorithms
The Fiction Bottleneck
It’s no secret that publishing fiction today can feel like shouting into a storm. Traditional routes are overcrowded, digital platforms are saturated, and reader attention is fragmented by a thousand competing demands – from streaming services to social media snippets. For authors, both emerging and seasoned, the challenges lie not just in writing a good book but in getting it seen, read, and remembered.
In the current landscape, the gatekeepers have multiplied. Where once you only had to impress an editor or agent, now you’re also contending with marketing teams, metadata algorithms, TikTok influencers, and genre-specific audience expectations. Even self-publishing, which promised a democratization of storytelling, has grown fiercely competitive. Discoverability has become the key obstacle.
The real issue? Readers don’t just stumble across your book anymore. They’re led to it – by recommendation engines, niche communities, or word of mouth. This means an author can no longer afford to be just a writer. You need to be part marketer, part community builder, part brand. It sounds daunting, but there are ways to navigate it.
One of the most powerful solutions is to create a loyal following before your book launches. Start by building a direct relationship with your readers. Whether it’s through a newsletter, blog, serialized fiction site like Ream or Substack, or even a small Patreon page, cultivating a space where readers hear from you – not filtered through the noise of online marketplaces – is invaluable. It shifts you from being dependent on algorithms to being in conversation with real people.
It also helps to lean into your niche. Instead of trying to write for everyone, write deeply for someone. The more specific and authentic your themes, worldbuilding, or voice, the more likely readers are to form an emotional attachment to your work. Loyalty isn’t built from broad appeal – it’s born of resonance.
Another tip? Share your process. Writers often assume readers only care about the finished book, but audiences today love to witness the behind-the-scenes journey. Sharing drafts, inspiration, character sketches, or even your struggles with plot holes humanises the process and builds investment. You’re not just selling a book; you’re telling an ongoing story – your story as a writer.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of slow growth. A loyal following of 500 true readers who love your work and recommend it is worth more than 10,000 casual clicks. Build gradually, offer value, and remain consistent. Publishing success in this age isn’t about being the loudest; it’s about being heard by the right ears.
If fiction is a long game, and it is, then your audience is your greatest asset. Start growing it now, even if it feels small. Because when the next book comes out, they’ll be waiting. And that, more than any platform or algorithm, is what gets fiction into hands – and hearts.