Talk of the Town: Monthly Publishing Industry News Digest

As 2026 gathers pace, the publishing industry continues to navigate rapid technological change, policy shifts and global market transformation.

• The Future of Translation: AI and the Greater Good

This piece explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the role of translators in the publishing ecosystem, touching on both backlash from professional translators and innovative uses of AI to address industry challenges like global manga piracy. A letter from French translators criticises AI use that devalues human expertise, while Japanese efforts use AI tools to accelerate translation and fight piracy – highlighting big questions about quality, cultural stewardship and economic impact. Read here: Publishing Perspectives

• London Book Fair Will Move to Excel in East London in 2027

The London Book Fair (LBF) has announced it will relocate its 2027 edition from Olympia in West London to the ExCeL Centre in East London as part of a multi-year agreement. This shift, while revisiting a venue previously used in 2006, reflects efforts to improve accessibility, capacity, infrastructure, 5G connectivity and the overall visitor experience – and follows extensive industry consultation about evolving needs for large trade shows. Click here to read full article: Publishers Marketplace

• Why Authors Aren’t Disclosing AI Use and What Publishers Should (Not) Do About It

This article analyses a growing transparency gap in academic publishing: although many researchers use AI tools for writing and editing, very few disclose this use in submissions. It explores reasons – from fear of stigma to ambiguous policies – and argues that current disclosure standards are ineffective. The author suggests publishers focus on outcome-based norms tied to reproducibility rather than demanding detailed AI usage narratives that discourage transparency. Find out more: Scholarly Kitchen

• What Content Do Academic Libraries Rely on Most?

A Clarivate report on U.S. academic library collections finds that aggregated content – centralised platforms that curate multi-source resources – is the dominant investment across institutions of all sizes. Libraries lean on these aggregated databases for predictable coverage and efficient search experience, while larger institutions supplement with reference, historical material and multimedia. The report also notes how responsible AI integration is poised to transform research engagement. Learn more: Library Journal

• Publishers Association Insight Series 2026

The Publishers Association has launched its 2026 Insight Series, a programme of online events aimed at helping publishers – especially smaller and mid-sized companies – navigate key sector issues. Topics slated include translation rights and the psychology of reading, with expert speakers sharing practical tools and trends to support business growth in a changing marketplace. Find out more: Publishers Association

• Higher Ed Prepares for a New Era of ADA Accessibility

U.S. colleges and universities are scrambling to comply with updated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations that extend to digital content, including web pages, PDFs, videos and apps. Institutions must meet accessibility standards – such as proper tagging for screen readers – by April 2026 or risk legal action. The new rules reflect broader demands for inclusive digital information access but present significant operational challenges for public entities with limited resources. Click here to read full article: Insidehighered