Self Publshing Weekly News, January 28, 2026
Self Publshing Weekly News, January 28, 2026
1. Bindery: A New Approach to Publishing
Bindery Merges Influencer Marketing with Traditional Publishing
Bindery is revolutionizing the publishing industry by combining elements of patron-based platforms like Patreon with traditional publishing. The model pairs influential “Tastemakers” who have established, engaged audiences with authors to create micro imprints under the Bindery umbrella. These Tastemakers select manuscripts, involve their communities in creative decisions like cover design, and handle marketing while authors focus solely on writing. With a revenue split of 25% to both Bindery and the Tastemaker and 50% to the author, this approach aims to address a persistent industry challenge: authors are increasingly expected to market themselves while traditional publishers provide limited promotional support. Launched in August 2023, Bindery currently has 15 released or forthcoming titles and partners with 2 Rivers distribution to reach bookstores.
Source: SCAD Connector - https://scadconnector.com/2026/01/21/bindery-a-new-approach-to-publishing/
2. Poetry Became My Outlet
Local Poet Isabel Friedrichs Finds Healing Through Self-Publishing
Isabel Friedrichs, a Rochester resident and Worcester Polytechnic Institute environmental engineering student, recently self-published her debut poetry collection, “The Blue Series: Poems on Love, Loss, and Learning to Heal.” For Friedrichs, poetry became a therapeutic outlet during difficult times when she felt unable to discuss heavy topics like mental health, sexual assault, and grief. Encouraged by teachers Nathan Orie, Michael Beson, and Merrideth Wickman throughout middle and high school, Friedrichs developed her craft over years of private writing before deciding to publish. The act of releasing her work publicly, she explains, felt liberating after years of silence. Her story illustrates how creative expression can serve as a powerful coping mechanism even within STEM-focused academic environments, and demonstrates that talented writers exist across all disciplines.
Source: The Wanderer - https://www.wanderer.com/features/poetry-became-my-outlet/
3. Amazon Collaborates to Bring Digitalisation Opportunities Closer to Publishers of All Sizes
Amazon Partners with Spanish Publishers to Optimize Digital Book Catalogs
Amazon recently participated in a training session organized by the Spanish Federation of Publishers’ Guilds (FGEE) to help publishers understand how to optimize editorial metadata for improved discoverability across sales channels. The session, which drew over 300 registrants, emphasized that providing complete and accurate book information significantly increases the likelihood of titles being found and purchased by readers. Amazon’s Íñigo Barranco joined industry experts to share best practices on catalog management, highlighting how proper metadata helps readers discover the books they’re passionate about. This collaboration reflects Amazon’s commitment to supporting publishers of all sizes in adapting to the digital landscape, with the goal of ensuring that every publisher can capitalize on digitalization opportunities regardless of their resources or size.
Source: About Amazon EU - https://www.aboutamazon.eu/news/books-and-authors/amazon-collaborates-to-bring-digitalisation-opportunities-closer-to-publishers-of-all-sizes
4. Federation of Publishers’ Guilds of Spain
Spanish Book Market Shows Stability Despite Non-Reader Challenges
According to a report from the Federación de Gremios de Editores de España (Federation of Publishers’ Guilds of Spain, FGEE), Spain’s book publishing industry maintained financial stability and strength in 2023, despite a significant percentage of non-readers in the country. The federation, which represents the Spanish publishing sector on national, European, and international levels, released data showing that while 35.9 percent of those surveyed claim to never or almost never read, reading indices have consolidated gains made during the pandemic. FGEE President Daniel Fernández noted the continuing stability in reading habits since the significant increase experienced during confinement periods. The federation actively works to represent, manage, and defend the common interests of Spanish publishers while addressing ongoing literacy challenges in the market.
Source: International Publishers Association - https://internationalpublishers.org/tag/federation-of-publishers-guilds-of-spain/
5. An Inspired Chat with Chelsea Tornetto
Children’s Book Author Chelsea Tornetto Challenges Industry Misconceptions
Chelsea Tornetto, a former teacher turned children’s book author and author coach at At Home Author, is working to democratize children’s book publishing while challenging common industry misconceptions. Tornetto emphasizes that writing children’s books is far from easy—authors must capture young readers’ attention and create meaningful moments in 500 words or less, compared to the hundreds of pages available to novelists. Through At Home Author’s comprehensive online course covering both traditional and self-publishing routes, Tornetto aims to make the publishing process more transparent and accessible, offering monthly memberships for just $27. She challenges the notion that the “Big 5” publishing houses have a monopoly on knowing what will succeed in the marketplace, advocating instead for the self-publishing ecosystem that has opened opportunities for smaller creators to shine.
Source: Bold Journey - https://boldjourney.com/an-inspired-chat-with-chelsea-tornetto-highlight/