Heading into a New Year · Non-Fiction Author Lab

Heading into a New Year

**This was our newsletter this week but we struggled to get it fully delivered thanks to some tech issues ... so here it is in case you missed it**

2025 was enormous for us at Book Launchers.

We reorganized the company. We retired our Platinum membership, the very first service level we ever offered. Not an easy goodbye. We replaced it with a package - Author Essentials. We launched Author Launch Kit. We launched the Author Lab Community (hi! you're in it!).

These were not cosmetic changes. They were foundational. They happened because publishing itself crossed a line this year. The old playbook did not just get outdated. It got run over.

Books stopped being static.

Audiobooks stopped being “just audio.”

Platforms stopped being enough.

So we changed too.

If you have watched my end of year, looking ahead video, you already know this one feels different (I have it below if you have not seen it yet). I am not telling you to chase more reviews, produce an audiobook, or build an author newsletter (past years repeated recommendations).

Those things still matter. But the bar moved. They aren't enough anymore.

This year also gave us a front-row seat to something rare. We watched one of our authors, Jonathan Stanley, go absolutely hyper-viral. Over 100 million views. Coverage from every major news outlet you can name. The kind of lightning strike people talk about but almost never see up close.

That did not happen by accident. It happened at the intersection of message, timing, and a publishing world that now rewards momentum in entirely new ways.

Alongside that were bestsellers, speaking stages, media wins, and plenty of quiet breakthroughs that never make headlines but change lives all the same.

And through all of it, you were here.

Having an audience is a privilege.

Whether that audience is ten people or ten thousand. Thank you for trusting us, for sticking with us through change, and for being part of this journey.

Before we officially turn the page, a few important invitations and one very fun announcement are below for you

Self-Publish and Succeed Live starts January 12. If writing and publishing a book by the end of 2026 is on your non-negotiable list, this is where you do the work with us. I personally teach many of the classes, alongside our pen to paper pro, Chad Sanborn. It's high value. Many of our past students are bestsellers and award winners. This process works! Details here: www.selfpublishandsucceed.com/liveclass

Also, you are invited to come to Las Vegas March 5 & 6.

Our first in-person workshop since 2018 is happening, and yes, it feels like a big deal for a reason. The Authors Empire Workshop is designed to set you up for success in this rapidly changing publishing world. A video with more information is below.

Join us here:www.authorsempireworkshop.com

And finally, the giveaway winner!

Thank you to everyone who applied for 3 Months of Video Content Creation with Book Thinkers. We truly wish we could give this prize to everyone who raised their hand.

But we do have a winner.

Congratulations to Kate O'Leary. We cannot wait to see what you create.

Thank you again for being here. Truly.

Here’s to closing this chapter with gratitude and stepping into the next one with clarity, confidence, and maybe a little courage.

2026 is going to be a great year for those who are ready!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season. See you next year!

Regards,

Julie

p.s. Book Launchers is officially closed until January 2nd now. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year!!

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