Recent Stories And Trends That Point to Why a Business Book Matters

Kevin Long

Oct 12 • General discussion

FT & Schroders “Business Book of the Year 2025” Longlist The Financial Times’ longlist for the 2025 Business Book of the Year includes works that tackle hot business themes: geopolitics, innovation, tech, and corporate change. Financial Times
Implication: Books are still a major vehicle for shaping thought leadership, and authors whose books land on these lists get amplified reach, prestige, and attention.
Rise of AI Tools That Automate Book Creation. A more controversial but telling story: Youbooks, a new AI-powered platform, promises to help convert your ideas or notes into a full non-fiction book quickly. New York Post
Implication: This signals that the barrier to entry (in terms of writing effort) is dropping. As more people can easily produce a book, standing out will come from quality, authentic insight, and unique positioning.
Book Publishing as a Tool for Authority More Than Profit. A recent article in The Times points out that while many business books won’t be blockbuster sellers, their value now is more in the authority, speaking gigs, and consultancy contracts they unlock. The Times
Implication: Publishing a book isn’t just about making money from book sales. It’s about opening doors — media, partnerships, invitations to speak — that you might not get otherwise.
Marginal Sales but Elevated InfluenceFrom that same article: mid-tier business book authors—those who don’t reach “bestseller” status—can still make meaningful income, but more importantly, get a bigger platform and credibility. The Times
Insider Tell-Alls Can Force Conversations. The case of Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former Meta employee whose book Careless People faced legal pushback from Meta, ended up becoming a No. 1 bestseller. Business Insider Implication: Books can force narratives, spotlight issues, and generate attention (good or bad). If you have something worth saying, a book gives you control in telling it.
Addressing Gaps by Writing What Doesn’t Yet Exist. A recent academic story: Patrick Johanns found there was no textbook on responsible AI for business students, so he wrote one. Poets&Quants for Undergrads
Implication: If there’s a knowledge gap in your domain (something missing in your niche), writing your own book lets you own that space.

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