December is the natural time of the year when we reflect on our industry trends and reinvigorate our team and clients for shifts we expect to see in 2026.
Below is our latest resource "7 Book Publicity Trends for 2026: New Strategies for Authors and Experts to Reach the Right
Media."
Taking time to build or refresh your expert brand is on many people's "to-do" list in 2026. To help, we’re pleased to share our recent conversations on our All Things Book Marketing podcast episodes with guests:
John DeMato on Visual Storytelling: Add
personality to your visuals in 2026
Kate Breen on Dressing the Part: Polish your look in 2026
Owen Sammarone on BuildingThought Leadership on LinkedIn: Update your LinkedIn skills in 2026
Marissa Eigenbrood and I had the honor of attending Thinkers50 in Londonlast month where we celebrated client Neri Karra Sillaman, Ph.D., author of Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs who won the 2025 Radar Award, and client Kate O'Neill, author ofWhat Matters Next: A Leader's Guide to
Making Human-Friendly Tech Decisions in a World That's Moving Too Fast who was shortlisted for the 2025 Digital Thinking Award and named to the 2025 Newcomers Ranking. Details are
here on the event and inspirational ideas from some of the world's most influential business minds.
We are set to go to Thinkers50 in November 2026 and to be part of their 25-year celebration!
At Smith
Publicity, this is also the time of year for reflection. We are grateful for another exceptional year with our wonderful clients and our amazing team, who inspire me every day with the impact they create with our clients and the care they show to one another. We look forward to an exciting 2026. Wishing you and yours a joyful holiday season!
New Strategies for Authors & Experts
to Reach the Right Media
by Sandy Poirier Smith, CEO, Smith Publicity
As 2025 wraps, we’re seeing big shifts in how nonfiction, business, health and wellness, lifestyle, and thought-leader authors build visibility. In our latest article, Sandy talks with three of our most seasoned publicists—Erin Birnbaum, Sophia
Moriarity, and Madison Scheuer—about key trends shaping book publicity heading into 2026, including:
The rise of micro-authority media
Longer lead times for contributed articles
Faster turnaround
expectations for expert commentary
Rising demand for authentic (not AI), original thought leadership
In today’s crowded attention economy, words alone aren’t enough to make your expertise stand out. In our latest All Things Book Marketing episode, Smith Publicity’s President Marissa Eigenbrood talks with visual storytelling
strategist and photographer John DeMato about how compelling imagery elevates an author or speaker brand.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why visual storytelling is essential in an era overflowing with content and AI-generated noise.
How to build a “Visual
Storytelling Library,” including core assets, visual evidence, and personal details that bring your brand to life.
How authentic photography helps you connect instantly with your audience and establish credibility.
Why updating your visual assets regularly keeps your brand fresh, dynamic, and aligned with your
message.
In this All Things Book Marketing episode, Smith Publicity CEO Sandy Smith talks with Kate Breen—owner of GetDressedGo and one of D.C.’s top personal stylists—about how thoughtful style choices elevate your presence everywhere, from media appearances to keynote stages.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why your personal visual presence is a core part of your expert brand—not an afterthought.
The top styling mistakes professionals make (and how to fix them).
How to create a signature look that reflects authenticity and authority.
Why different moments require different wardrobes—from media interviews to main stage keynotes.
How style
influences confidence, helping experts show up with clarity and impact.
Whether you’re stepping onto a stage, in front of the camera, or meeting with clients, Kate’s approach shows how style powerfully supports your message and your brand.
Human-Centric Approaches to Your 2026 LinkedIn Strategy
In this All Things Book Marketing episode, Marissa Eigenbrood talks with Owen
Sammarone—founder of Unleash The Knowledge and one of today’s most effective LinkedIn personal-branding strategists—about how authors, founders, and executives can grow genuine influence without spending hours online or resorting to salesy tactics.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
How to
build meaningful connections on LinkedIn (and avoid “pitch slapping”).
Why your book is the cornerstone of your thought-leadership ecosystem—and how to repurpose it into powerful content.
How to blend AI tools with authentic human communication to create content that
resonates.
What’s ahead for LinkedIn, personal branding, and B2B influence as we move toward 2026.
If you’re looking to strengthen your online presence, attract opportunities, or build authority in a crowded digital world for your work and your book, Owen’s insights offer a clear, human-centric
roadmap.
Smith Publicity's Sandy Smith and Marissa Eigenbrood at Thinkers50 In London in November with clients Neri Karra Sillaman, Katie O'Nell and the Wiley team, Shannon Vargo, Annie Knight, and Michael Friedberg. Details here.
Smith Publicity was a sponsor in November's Gathering of the Ghosts--presented by Gotham Ghostwriters and the Association of Ghostwriters--in NYC, where team members CorinneMoulder and Kellie Rendina met with old and new industry experts. Here is Corinne's recap. Corinne with Becky Robinson below.
Smith Publicity Award: Most Innovative PR Firm
Interested in exploring book publicity services for your 2026 launch?
