Tag: Author tips

Looking Ahead at the 2026 Publishing Landscape

From AI-assisted editing tools to shifting reader expectations and new paths to discovery, the publishing industry is entering a bold new chapter. These ten trends reveal where the market is headed—and what today’s authors and publishers need to know to stay competitive in 2026 and beyond.

The publishing world is evolving faster than ever, and 2026 promises to be a landmark year of transformation for authors, editors, and readers alike. In this post, we break down the top ten publishing trends to watch, from artificial intelligence reshaping workflows to immersive digital experiences, personalized content, and sustainable practices that are redefining what it means to bring a book to life.

A red upward arrow representing growth alongside a stack of books, with the text '2026 Publishing Trends' above.

Whether you’re navigating the traditional industry or building your indie author journey, understanding these trends will help you stay ahead of the curve and make strategic decisions in a rapidly changing landscape.

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Color Your World “Collaborative”: Working with Children Books Illustrators

Great stories don’t live on words alone.

When writers and illustrators collaborate, ideas gain texture, emotion, and visual rhythm that readers instantly feel. From picture books to graphic essays, these partnerships turn imagination into something you can see as well as read.

Ruth Amanda, childrens books, illustrator
Ruth Amanda, illustrator and author of childrens books. https://www.ruthamanda.com/

I recently wrote about writers working with illustrators in a blog post for work. In it I offer six tips writers can use to create a collaborative, productive working relationship with their illustrator. It encourages writers to focus on good communication, a clear vision of the art that doesn’t stifle creativity, and how building a collaboration that is rooted in trust is your best bet to get a great result for your next book.

Whether you’re a novelist, poet, or content creator, understanding this relationship can elevate your work. Dive deeper into the process, challenges, and rewards by reading the full article here, and start collaborating with confidence.

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Whether you’re a novelist, poet, or content creator, understanding this relationship can elevate your work.

QR Codes: What are they and what can they do for authors

Authors can leverage QR codes in several creative and practical ways to enhance their books and engage with their readers.

QR codes, or Quick Response codes, are a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional barcode) that can be scanned using a smartphone or a QR code reader.

Authors can leverage QR codes in several creative and practical ways to enhance their books and engage with their readers. Here are some ideas on how authors can use QR codes:

Man, phone, book, black tie, blue shirt, bald, lipstick

Spplementary Content

  • Author Interviews: Behind-the-scenes insights or interviews with the author.
  • Deleted Scenes: Extra chapters or scenes that didn’t make it into the final version of the book.
  • Multimedia: Related videos, such as book trailers or visualizations of settings or characters.
  • Interactive Elements: QR codes can be used to create interactive experiences:
  • Augmented Reality: Link to AR experiences that bring elements of the book to life.
  • Interactive Maps: For novels with complex worlds or settings, QR codes can direct readers to interactive maps.

Reader Engagement

  • Surveys or Polls: Collect reader feedback or opinions on the book.
  • Discussion Guides: Provide discussion questions or prompts for book clubs.

Exclusive Content

  • Bonus Chapters: Extra chapters or epilogues that are not available in the printed book.
  • Exclusive Stories: Short stories or prequels that expand on the book’s universe.
Woman, Apron, Books, Hand, Man, white, beige, QR code, phone

Marketing and Promotion

  • Special Offers: Link to discount codes or promotional offers.
  • Social Media: Direct readers to the author’s social media profiles or official website.
  • Newsletter Signup: Encourage readers to sign up for newsletters or mailing lists.

Author Events

  • Event Schedules: Link to schedules for book signings, readings, or author tours.
  • Registration: Allow readers to register for events or workshops.

Educational Materials

  • Resource Links: Direct students or readers to additional learning resources, tutorials, or exercises.

Feedback and Review

  • Review Links: Link to platforms where readers can leave reviews or ratings.

Overall, QR codes offer a quick and efficient way to access information or services using your mobile device and can be very useful to authors. By integrating QR codes into their books and promotional materials, authors can create a richer, more interactive reading experience and strengthen their connections with their audience.

Click here to find out how QR Codes work and how to create them in an article I wrote for Chanticleer Reviews.