The Road To 2026: How Publishing Is Being Reimagined Worldwide

From the rise of a “Digital Renaissance” and responsible AI, to accessibility-by-design, audio growth, research integrity, and community-driven storytelling, these voices collectively point to an industry redefining its role. Publishing in 2026 will be judged less by speed and scale, and more by trust, depth, inclusivity, and its ability to meaningfully serve readers and creators in a rapidly changing world. Exceprts.

---

“As PublisHer enters its next phase, our focus is on building a more connected publishing ecosystem by strengthening relationships across borders, fostering meaningful partnerships, and creating spaces where diverse voices can thrive in leadership. Our work will continue to be guided by a commitment to long-term, concrete, and sustainable change.”

– Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder, PublisHer

---

I see 2026 not as a year of change, but as a ‘Digital Renaissance.
– Geum Joo Lin, Co-founder of CO. MINT Inc.

As a Digital Content Specialist at the heart of the publishing-tech convergence—from securing content at MarkAny to leading the digital launch of Harry Potter in Korea and now driving innovation with MatchWHALE—I see 2026 not as a year of change, but as a ‘Digital Renaissance.’

The industry is undergoing a seismic shift from ‘selling books’ to ‘strategizing content assets.’ With the digital market poised to hit $186 billion, the leaders will be those who move beyond surface-level AI tools to a total re-engineering of their organizational workflows. AI is no longer just a tool; it is the engine powering hyper-personalization, turning reading into an immersive, experiential journey.

I am seeing Korean IPs like webtoons become the blueprint for global cross-media ecosystems, expanding their reach through localized creator communities in Europe and beyond. However, my research at Ewha convinces me that our focus must remain on the ‘harmonious application’ of law. We must champion the ‘Human-plus-AI’ model, ensuring copyright protects human creativity while utilizing blockchain to create transparent, borderless royalty systems.

2026 demands transparency and agility. This is the path I have dedicated my career to—securing the future of our industry through data intelligence and the unwavering protection of creator rights. This is the future we are building together.

Publishing’s relevance will depend on how thoughtfully technology chooses to serve its readers
– Karine Pansa, CEO, Girassol Brasil and former President, International Publishers Association (2023–2024)

By 2026, accessibility will no longer sit at the margins of publishing conversations. It is becoming one of the defining measures of how mature, responsible and future-oriented a publishing ecosystem truly is.

What is changing is not only the range of accessible formats, but the mindset behind them. Accessibility is moving upstream, into editorial decision-making itself. Publishers are increasingly expected to think about who can access a book from the very beginning: how text, design, illustration, navigation and distribution choices either include or exclude readers. This shift requires new skills, closer collaboration between editorial and production teams, and a willingness to rethink long-established workflows. Those who treat accessibility as an integral part of quality publishing, rather than as an obligation added at the end, will be better positioned for the years ahead.

At the same time, accessibility is reshaping international publishing relationships. Cross-border cooperation, shared standards and collective solutions are becoming essential, particularly as publishers in different regions face similar challenges but with very unequal resources. More collaborative models, including shared production, rights strategies and knowledge exchange are likely to grow, especially between markets that have traditionally been seen as peripheral rather than central.

Finally, as artificial intelligence accelerates content creation and distribution, trust will emerge as one of the publishing industry’s most valuable assets. Readers, educators and public institutions will increasingly look to publishers not simply for content, but for reassurance: that books are curated with care, produced ethically and designed to be accessible to all. In this context, accessibility is not separate from credibility, it is one of its clearest expressions.

In 2026, publishing’s relevance will depend less on how quickly it adopts new technologies, and more on how thoughtfully it chooses to serve its readers.

Podcast format is both here to stay and growing
– Lisa Lyons Johnston, President & Publisher, Kids Can Press

To my mind listening, broadly speaking, is an overarching theme for 2026 and beyond.

• Consumers are listening to audio formats in increasing numbers.
• Listening to consumers continues to be a key to unlocking marketing and sales potential .
• Listening to other perspectives is increasingly important given the issues and dangers of our time.

The ubiquitousness of tech products including not only the iPhone, but wireless ear buds has contributed to the surge in the uptake of audio book and podcast formats. Time starved? Listen to something informative or be transported to another world while doing the dishes?

A recent Forbes article by Elaine Profeldt shared that consumers are listening to audiobooks in record numbers. Statistics Market.us research predict the global audiobook market will grow by of 25.7% each year to 2032.

According to Telepromoter.com, “podcast listening is now a worldwide phenomenon, with strong uptake in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia as internet access and audio content proliferate.” This research points to 4.5 to 4.6 million podcast series in existence globally.

The Golden Globe 2026 Awards will include a new category for “Best Podcast.” It’s the first-time podcasts are being recognized by a major film and TV awards show, a tell-tale sign the format is both here to stay and growing.

Ways to interact with and develop a two-way relationship existing and potential customers on an on-going basis is increasing. Consumers want to talk to you. Listen to them.

Now more than ever, we need to seek and listen to other perspectives. Publishers have a unique and important role to play in this regard by publishing lists that represent diverse voices, curated by diverse team members.
The theme for IBBY’s World Congress, August 4-7, 2026, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada is Listening to Each Other’s Voices. I am looking forward to listening to some of the best talent in children’s publishing that IBBY Canada is curating for its program.

Publishing will be adaptive, community-driven, and increasingly outward-looking
– Nadia Wassef, Author and Co-founder, Diwan Bookstores

From the vantage point of Cairo, publishing in 2026 will be shaped by a combination of economic pressures, digital experimentation, social media as an engine for literary discovery, and a renewed commitment to local storytelling.

Egypt’s publishing sector will continue to face significant financial strain. High paper and printing costs have pushed publishers toward lower-cost formats, smaller print runs, and shorter books. The good news is that we have more young publishers entering the ecosystem as nano publishers, producing niche publications, risographs and zines. Rising retail prices among the more mainstream publishers, meanwhile, have fuelled the spread of pirated books—an issue that I hope can be met with bold, out-of-the-box solutions in the coming years.

At the same time, while print remains culturally cherished, audio is rapidly gaining ground. 2026 promises to be a year where Podcasts, audiobooks, and spoken-word formats will continue to boom, particularly among younger audiences who value convenience and intimacy. In Egypt, the success of Arabic-language podcasts that blend storytelling with cultural commentary is driving interest in serialized audio adaptations of literary works and independent audio publishing ventures.

Social media has also become a central discovery engine. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X are no longer just marketing tools but spaces where authors and publishers build communities. Live readings, Q&A sessions, influencer collaborations, and serialized content now shape how books reach readers. Increasingly, authors themselves are taking on the role of marketers, cultivating engaged followings and direct relationships with audiences.

Despite digital growth, print culture endures. The massive turnout at the Cairo International Book Fair, alongside more niche events like the Cairo Art Book Fair and Cairo Comix (with their equally niche publications and participants), reflects sustained demand for physical books and cultural gathering spaces. Bookstores such as Diwan are reimagining themselves as community hubs, hosting talks, launches, and readings that deepen readers’ connections to books and ideas.

Finally, there is a strong push toward local and regional voices. Egyptian, Arab, and African stories—across fiction, memoir, and social commentary—are gaining prominence, supported by partnerships with international publishers for translation, co-publishing, and global distribution. Together, these trends point to a publishing scene in 2026 that is adaptive, community-driven, and increasingly outward-looking, even amid economic constraints.

Research Integrity, the quality of research, the transparency of the process and the data will drive publishing trends in 2026
– Nitasha Devasar, Managing Director, Taylor & Francis India & South Asia

Gandhi said, “The future depends on what we do today.” Academic publishers understand this and work on anticipating knowledge needs accordingly. The last few years have been about access — from Open Access to Open Research to Open Science, and with the rapid advance of AI increasingly about authenticated, verifiable and attributable knowledge. The future then is about its relevance, its use, its continued reach, and its impact.

Access has always been at the core of Indian publishing (in English) and after a full year of One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) providing access to 13000 journals covering 7,000 plus institutions and up to 12m users, a major threshold has been reached. The focus is now shifting from volume to value of research output, in a market that is still fragmented and inequitable. Research Integrity, the quality of research, the transparency of the process and the data on which it is based, has become central and will drive publishing trends in 2026.

Alongside the Viksit Bharat agenda needs a more cross-disciplinary and inclusive emphasis in research output, and a reduced timeline to use for innovation and in-country solutions. The focus on societal value of research means that SDG impact and policy outcomes are at the fore. This requires research to be easier to discover, access, and understand, research output to be available in varying formats and venues, accelerating the move to flexible online modes across a wider institutional spectrum.

Finally, the real strength of academic publishing is curation, connecting users to trusted and relevant knowledge.Moving from access to an infinite and growing pool, to trusted, curated and contextualized knowledge available for innovation and impact. And doing this using AI responsibly and ethically is the future direction, both globally and in the Indian context. This is both a hope and a promise for our profession.

Global mindset is what will shape the future of publishing
– Perminder Mann, CEO, Simon & Schuster UK and International

In terms of genre trends, I think we’ll see fantasy, romance, sci-fi, horror and YA continue to ride high and the further growth of sub genres and blended genres within those areas. The challenges around non-fiction are well documented, but the right books published well can still find massive success.

All book formats remain vital and operate in balance. Reader appetite for print is still huge, and we’ve all seen the phenomenal success that beautifully produced special editions can achieve. But for some books, eBook or audio should be the lead format. It’s ultimately about what works best for the reader.

Reading habits are evolving, which is highly relevant to digital publishing strategy. People now consume content on the go, in short bursts, across multiple platforms, and they seek deeper emotional connection and relevance. Audiobooks, enhanced eBooks, podcasts, digital serialisation, all of it matters. It’s about meeting readers where they are, not where we think they should be.

I see 2026 as a pivotal year for AI, both for society and for our industry. We need to move forward with our eyes wide open and with integrity, transparency and balance, to ensure AI serves human creativity, not the other way around. Publishing has always been about people, ideas and imagination. That must remain at the heart of how we approach any new technology.

More than ever, I’m convinced of the power of a global mindset. That’s part of why it’s so important to me to work with PublisHer. The future of publishing lies in storytelling that lives across platforms, partnerships that stretch across industries, and audiences that connect across borders. For me, this global mindset is what will shape the future of publishing.”

Publishing industry will increasingly focus on plurality, accessibility, and purpose
– Sandra Tamele, Founder Editor at Editora Trinta Zero Nove BArch, DipTrans, MCIL, CL

In 2026, the publishing industry will increasingly focus on plurality, accessibility, and purpose.
First, there will be a significant shift towards linguistic and cultural decentralisation, emphasizing the value of local languages, Indigenous voices, and translation as vital and ethical practices, making the industry feel more inclusive and representative.

Second, accessibility will become essential, directly linked to readers’ diverse needs. The use of audiobooks, inclusive design, and multimodal formats will expand rapidly, especially in regions with uneven literacy rates. Publishers will need to think beyond the printed page and create books that cater to readers’ diverse needs.
Third, independent and micro-publishers will gain influence, shaping industry trends through relevance. Their close ties to communities, willingness to take creative risks, and commitment to underrepresented narratives will shape their catalogues, partnerships, and global rights exchanges.

Finally, values-driven publishing will become increasingly important, helping the industry feel meaningful and aligned with social values, as readers, funders, and institutions pay closer attention to how books are produced, who is represented, and the social role of publishing—whether in education, cultural diplomacy, or social cohesion.

Publishing focuses on the experience of reading rather than the performance around it
– Asma Al Fahim, Founder and CEO, Arabian Publishing Media

I think about where publishing is heading always, and it feels less loud than it used to and more carefully curated . There’s a sense of slowing down, paying attention again to the details, to the work itself, and to the experience of reading rather than the performance around it.

I don’t feel anxious about technology in the way people often do. I don’t see AI taking over the act of writing. What I notice instead is how it’s playing an important role in the background, taking care of the parts of publishing that drain time and energy. When those tasks ease, there’s more room for writers and editors to focus on voice, tone, and judgment.

The writing still has to come from somewhere human.Stories, too, are changing shape. More and more, they arrive through fragments – emails, transcripts, notes, records, because that’s how life reaches us now.

At the same time, I’m seeing more books that refuse to explain themselves. No forewords. No framing. No author stepping in to guide the reader. Just the text, asking to be read on its own terms.

Print feels different these days. It’s even more valuable than ever. As everything digital keeps expanding, physical books seem to be made with more care. Smaller runs, better paper, covers you want to touch. They feel less disposable, more like something you choose to live with.

What stays with me most, though, are the books that don’t rush toward an ending. You put them down, come back later, and they feel altered because you are. They don’t tie everything up. They leave space to think and reflect.

Publishing Trends in 2026: Depth, Voice, and Cultural Responsibility
–Asma Siddiq Al Mutawa

In 2026, the main challenge in publishing is no longer access to content or new formats, but how to protect deep reading in an age of attention economy, algorithms, and fast digital consumption. Reading today is at risk of becoming quick and fragmented, rather than a space for reflection and thinking. This requires publishers to rethink their role, not only as content providers, but as cultural caretakers.

This shift affects the core relationship between the reader and the text, and between the author and the publishing system. Publishing is moving from simple distribution toward cultural stewardship, where books are seen as spaces for dialogue and meaning, not fast-moving products.

Within this context, literary salons and reading communities are becoming increasingly important. They help revive thoughtful discussion, shared reading, and deeper engagement with texts. These spaces do not reject digital tools, but use them in a way that supports meaning rather than replacing it.

At the same time, publishing faces a structural challenge: protecting creative voices, especially women’s voices, from being marginalized or reshaped by market pressure or algorithms. This is no longer only about representation, but about protecting authentic voices within knowledge systems.

Here, global networks such as PublisHer play a key role. They support women in leadership, advocate for fair publishing practices, protect intellectual property, and promote ethical approaches to technology and AI in publishing.

The future of publishing will not be measured by speed or reach, but by depth, diversity of voices, and the ability to build a lasting and meaningful relationship between readers and knowledge. The key question moving forward is: Do we want a publishing industry that only captures attention, or one that protects meaning in a fast-changing world?