Self-publishing growth challenges traditional publishing in Italy

Self-publishing in Italy has grown from 2% to 7% of total book production in recent years, according to data from Il Secolo D'Italia. While many self-published books are low-quality, often generated by AI or vanity projects, exceptions exist and are heavily promoted online. The phenomenon forces traditional publishers to redefine their role as quality certifiers. Some publishers now seek authors who have already gained online followings, while others adopt self-financing models requiring author contributions. In 2021, nearly one new publishing house opened per day in Italy, with over 5,000 active publishers, per Fabio del Giudice, Director of AIE. The article argues that publishers must develop new strategies to add value beyond production and distribution, as Amazon and social media provide alternative channels. The risk is that publishers lose credibility and fail to capture niche audiences. The author, Stefano Monti, suggests that if publishers do not adapt, market forces will dictate their future.