As we ease toward 2026 — a year already humming with possibility — I want to give you a New Year’s resolution that matters: No matter where you are in your writing journey, this is the year to build your author platform.

When I left Oxford University Press to start Studiolo Secondari, I thought I was leaving the world of publishing strategy meetings behind — those long tables where editors, marketers, and sales teams debated about how best to position and publish a book.

Most authors start with words. Publishers start with positioning.
Here’s how to think like a publisher — and why doing so can make your book more visible, credible, and irresistible.

Your book’s most powerful marketing tool isn’t what you think.

This Valentine’s season, we’re celebrating timeless tales of devotion–from the rebellious priest who inspired a global holiday to the reissue of a beloved novel that captures the magic of making a wish.

As we step into the new year, many of us are reflecting on the ambitions we want to pursue. With winter settling in across the northern hemisphere, we find ourselves spending more time indoors–perfect for plotting, planning, and considering what we aim to achieve in the year ahead. For some, this means writing our first book or working toward reaching a wider audience with the books we’ve created. My passion for publishing and helping others has inspired me to share my experience.

Publishing a book can be a gratifying experience. But before diving too deep into the intricacies of the publishing process, it’s crucial to understand your motivations for writing in the first place. What’s driving you to create and share this work with the world?

Like the industrial revolution, AI will change how we do business.