In this episode, Matt & Lauren look to the past to see if they were right about the future! 

Way back in December 2025 we suggested 6 trends we expected to see in the publishing industry this year… 6 months later, we’re checking in to see whether or not our visions are manifesting into reality.

🎱 Are more publishers seeing print-on-demand as a competitive advantage?

🔮 Are more authors investing in brand-building via hybrid publishing contracts?

🎱 Has AI been integrated into most publishing chains yet?

🔮 Have creators found new solutions for community spaces?

🎱 Has the adoption rate of direct sales escalated?

🔮Are even more creators monetizing their content with print books?

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the episode on YouTube!

Dive Deeper

💡 Watch Ep #100 | Looking Ahead at Publishing Trends for 2026

💡 Listen to These Episodes

• Ep #101 | Where Does AI Belong in Publishing?
• Ep #109 | Choosing Your Direct Sales Strategy
• Ep #120 | Print Books Still Aren’t Dead

💡 Explore These Resources

• Publishers Weekly | USBS 2026: Experts Tackle Publishing’s Hottest Topics
• Publishers Weekly | USBS 2026: Publishing CEOs Warn Against AI ‘Witch Hunt’ 
• Pew Research Center | Americans Still Opt for Print Books Over Digital or Audio Versions 

💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more.
💀 Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at luludotcom!
💀 Email us at [email protected]
💀 Sign up for our mailing list.