PublishDrive’s Role in Shaping the Future of Publishing at Frankfurt Book Fair 2024

Frankfurt Book Fair 2024, the world’s largest gathering of publishing professionals, spotlighted the rapid transformation underway in the industry. AI innovation and cross-industry adaptation were prominent themes, demonstrating how publishing is expanding connections to other creative sectors like film, gaming, and technology.

Exhibitors from over 100 countries attended, including top names like Penguin Random House, Wiley, and Hachette, alongside emerging startups focused on areas ranging from digital books to interactive storytelling. This year’s fair highlighted the industry’s adaptability and openness to exploring innovative solutions and technologies that expand how and where stories are shared​.

For PublishDrive, after years of attending, this event marked a major milestone: our first sponsored booth. It was an incredible opportunity to engage directly with authors and publishers, introducing them to our tools and services designed to meet the needs of a modern, digitally-driven publishing environment.

Our Distribution platform received particular attention for its extensive reach, which supports a variety of stores, from major players like Amazon, Apple, and Google Play Books to specialized niche markets. This diversity makes it easier for authors and publishers to connect with readers across different geographies and reader demographics.

At our booth, people were excited by features like team royalties, which allows seamless revenue splitting among collaborators and our eBook converter also received a lot of praise for its ability to quickly format books, taking the complexity out of multi-format publishing.

Together, these features reflect the flexibility and control that PublishDrive offers in a multi-channel, multi-format world—a sentiment echoed by many visitors interested in the potential of expanding their distribution strategies.

Simplifying Publishing with the Publishing Assistant

Our Publishing Assistant also drew significant attention, especially for its suite of tools that make the publishing process more efficient and effective. Many attendees were impressed by our metadata generator, which optimizes book discoverability by refining keywords, categories, and other essential metadata.

A particular highlight of the week was being able to demo our upcoming Cover Image Generator. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with visitors noting the quality and ease of creating professional-grade covers. By integrating tools like these, we’re empowering authors and publishers to control all aspects of their book’s visibility and presentation—from metadata to cover design—all from a single platform.

Our Abacus tool also made an impression, particularly for traditional publishers and author teams looking for streamlined, transparent royalty management. The tool consolidates sales data across channels, helping users see clear, actionable insights about their revenue—a feature that appeals to anyone navigating complex, multi-channel distribution and collaborative projects.

Industry Buzz on AI and Rights Management

AI was a focal point of the fair this year, reflecting a broader interest in understanding and responsibly implementing AI technology within publishing.

Panels and discussions highlighted the importance of ethical AI applications, with leaders like Elisabeth Crossick from RELX discussing Europe’s new AI Act and its aim to uphold transparency and copyright in AI-generated content.

During a panel on AI in publishing, Elizabeth Ann West from Future Fiction Academy recognized PublishDrive for our AI-driven innovations. The acknowledgment of our work in this area felt rewarding, as we are committed to creating ethical, beneficial AI tools that expand opportunities for authors and publishers while respecting creative integrity​.

The demand for accessible digital rights management was another key theme, with discussions on how global rights can be managed more efficiently in a digital-first world. The fair’s Book-to-Screen day highlighted a significant shift as film and media companies look to adapt literary works into new formats. With demand rising for cross-medium adaptations in film, TV, and even interactive gaming, the publishing industry is increasingly embracing rights management solutions that simplify the legal and logistical complexities of these partnerships. 

Traditional Publishers Explore Digital Distribution

An exciting development this year was the interest from traditional publishers in digital distribution and self-publishing methodologies. With the continued growth of eBook, audiobook, and print-on-demand sales, more traditional publishers see the potential in these formats to access new audiences, especially in untapped or international markets. This shift shows the growing value of digital distribution for both backlist and new titles, allowing for easier entry into global markets and niche audiences.

Looking Ahead

Frankfurt Book Fair 2024 was an inspiring experience for the PublishDrive team, allowing us to showcase how our suite of tools—Distribution, Publishing Assistant, and Abacus—supports the ever-evolving needs of modern publishing. We left the fair energized by the connections, insights, and discussions we shared with authors, publishers, and industry leaders.

As publishing continues to advance with technology and digital tools, we’re excited to help shape this transformation, empowering authors and publishers to succeed on a global scale.