Publishing News February 2026 – AI Settlement & Fourth Wing NHL Event
The publishing news that impacts your author career: Rebecca Yarros teams up with the NHL, Anthropic claim deadlines approach, TikTok ad targeting evolves, Amazon DRM settings shift, and influencer-led book deals gain traction.
📌 Fourth Wing-Themed Promotional Partnership at NHL Game Brings Books Into Sports Marketing
What happened
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced a “Fourth Wing Night” promotion for their April 4 home game against the Florida Panthers, in partnership with Rebecca Yarros, bestselling author of Fourth Wing and the Empyrean series. The event ties hockey game ticket packages to exclusive book-themed merchandise — including co-branded crewneck sweatshirts and special edition Fourth Wing bookplates — and even includes a donation tied to charity as part of ticket sales.
Why it matters (for authors)
This is a significant crossover between literary marketing and mainstream sports promotion: a major sports franchise using a bestselling novel as the theme for a game night. It highlights how authors with large, passionate fan communities — especially in genres like romantasy that generate viral engagement — can unlock non-traditional promotional venues and co-brand partnerships well outside typical book marketing channels.
Coach’s Move
Personally, I looooove this partnership. It reminds me of how the founder of Sourcebooks (a former advertising creative) sold A TON of books for female audiences in Sally Beauty Supply back in the day --the perfcet audience, and very little competition. Authors with marketing creativity, strong IP and/or ready-to-roll fanbases should think beyond bookstores and BookTok:
- Pitch local teams, festivals, and lifestyle brands for co-branded events
- Design experiential ticket packages (VIP perks tied to books)
- Leverage popular IP in creative sponsorship spots that expand reach
Think fan culture and experiential marketing.
📌 Anthropic AI Copyright Settlement: Claims Deadline Approaching for Authors
What happened
The Anthropic AI copyright settlement has moved into the claims phase, with official deadlines now posted on the court-approved settlement site and Authors Guild guidance pages. The opt-out and objection window has closed, and eligible authors must now file claims to participate in any payout tied to the settlement.
Key deadlines
- Opt-out / objection deadline: February 9, 2026 (passed)
- Re-inclusion deadline: March 9, 2026
- Claims deadline: March 30, 2026
- Final approval hearing: April 23, 2026
Why it matters (for authors)
This is one of the first AI-copyright cases where author claims may translate into actual compensation. This is not abstract policy — it’s a real money window with a firm filing deadline.
Coach’s Move
Check eligibility now and calendar March 30. Going forward, COPYRIGHT EVERY BOOK, keep tighter rights and title records — documentation increasingly equals dollars in AI disputes.
Source:
https://www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/dates
https://authorsguild.org/advocacy/artificial-intelligence/anthropic-claim-guide/
📌 TikTok Rolls Out New “Fandom” Ad Targeting for Entertainment & Book Audiences
What happened
TikTok introduced new Fandom ad formats designed to help advertisers target high-intent entertainment audiences — including book fans — through curated in-app audience groupings and culture-interest clusters.
Why it matters (for authors)
Better built-in audience targeting can lower testing costs for indie authors running TikTok ads. Instead of guessing interest stacks, authors may be able to reach pre-clustered book-leaning audiences — improving conversion odds.
Coach’s Move
If you run TikTok ads, test small-budget creative sets built around trope hooks and emotional payoff lines. Optimize for watch time and comments first — then if you're seeing results, scale your ad spend.
📌 Amazon KDP Update: Readers Can Download DRM-Free Purchases as EPUB/PDF
What happened
Amazon KDP documentation confirms that purchasers of DRM-free Kindle ebooks can now download their books as EPUB or PDF files through the “Manage Your Content and Devices” panel. DRM choice is controlled by the publisher/author at upload.
Why it matters (for authors)
This changes the practical impact of your DRM setting. DRM-free now truly means portable files in readers’ hands — which improves reader flexibility but increases redistribution risk.
Coach’s Move
Make DRM decisions title-by-title, not by habit. High-piracy genres may justify DRM; brand-trust or direct-sales strategies may benefit from looser controls.
Previously, I'd advised to remove the DRM when uploading to KDP because back in the day, it could cause issues if your readers were traveling internationally. But with this Amazon change, I'd take a more protective approach going forward.
Need help uploading your books to Amazon KDP and Ingram Spark? Check out our DIY publishing support.
Source:
https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GDDXGH9VR22ACM8U
📌 Influencer-Led Publishing Model Expands: How Bindery Books Actually Works
What happened
Bindery Books continues expanding its influencer-partnered publishing model, positioning itself as a boutique press where online book influencers (“tastemakers”) help identify, champion, and launch titles. Unlike traditional publishing, acquisition is partly shaped by creator audience engagement. Unlike fee-based hybrid publishing, authors do not pay upfront to publish.
Reported deal structure includes:
- ~$10,000 advance to the author
- ~50% of net royalties to the author
- ~25% of net royalties to the influencer/tastemaker
- ~25% retained by Bindery
Influencers may also earn affiliate revenue and community membership income through Bindery’s platform.
Why it matters (for authors)
This non-traditional trad publishing model (they still pay authors an advance) shifts attention economics upstream into acquisition. Audience influence is no longer just marketing support — it’s part of the deal structure.
It's an interesting model -- and we'll be keeping an eye on it. Is this just the next step of trad publishers waiting until they see a book actually selling and then swooping in to offer a deal, or is it a way to lock in promotion before the deal is struck?
Coach’s Move
If evaluating a Bindery-style deal:
✔ Scrutinize how “net” is defined
✔ Compare 50% net against your current indie per-book profit
✔ Clarify marketing obligations in writing
✔ Understand influencer involvement and expectations
✔ Negotiate performance benchmarks if possible
This is not traditional publishing or a fee-based hybrid. It’s a revenue-share ecosystem model — and those require clean math.
Sources:
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2026-02-18/bindery-books-influencer-led-publishing-model
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/92795-a-new-startup-proposes-influencer-driven-publishing.html
https://binderybooks.com/authors/
This article is part of the weekly Plot Twists & Paychecks publishing news series.
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