Publishers Launch Analog Initiatives to Counter Digital Reading Trends

Three publishing houses are introducing physical, offline experiences to address declining recreational reading and digital fatigue. Summit Books, a Simon & Schuster division, has launched Summit Goes Analog, hosting in-person gatherings with activities like crafting and writing workshops. Their first event with Lit Club sold out, featuring Kiran Millwood Hargrave's novel Almost Life. Future events include appearances by debut author Nelio Biedermann and collaborations with craft influencers. Zando, an independent publisher, established the Zando Residency at New York's historic Salmagundi Club, a 19th-century brownstone on Fifth Avenue. This initiative revives salon traditions, bringing authors together with journalists and creators for intimate discussions. Riverhead Books, a Penguin imprint, created The Eddy, a quarterly print newspaper featuring book updates and behind-the-scenes content. It launched in 2025 with over 10,000 copies circulating, and a spring issue will include a cover story by critic Ron Charles. These efforts aim to build community, attract younger readers, and provide tangible alternatives to digital platforms, responding to statistics showing reduced reading for pleasure despite expressed interest in reading more.