The Year Audiobooks Took Centre Stage
We’re just back from an incredible few days at the London Book Fair. After several years in attendance, the xigxag team feel like the industry is finally starting to see audiobooks as core rather than niche. Exciting!
It was heartening to experience mainstream support for audiobooks for the first time, and genuine enthusiasm for xigxag. Here’s a quick wrap-up of our highlights from the week.
Exciting New Content
Our primary focus at London Book Fair is to fill key gaps in our catalogue. The publishing industry doesn’t always work at our pace. (In some cases, we’ve been working for over six years to get a major publisher signed!)
That said, It’s clear that our growing audience is getting the attention of publishers. So thank you! We’re thrilled to tease that some exciting new content from major publishers will be hitting the xigxag app very soon. Stay tuned—it’s going to be a big year for your TL (To-Listen) list!
The High Street is Listening
Another rewarding aspect of the fair was the strong interest from independent booksellers and high-street retailers. There’s a real appetite for our digital audiobook gift cards, which finally give physical shops a way to participate in the fast growth of digital audiobooks. We’re delighted to see the demand for our cards growing among this diverse and dynamic audience.
Going All In for Reading
We made some progress on our “Go All In” initiative for the National Year of Reading. Literacy and accessibility are core to our B Corp mission, and we are working hard to get the the industry to rally behind the idea of innovation to make books more inclusive. We are looking for more publishers in the industry to step up to our challenge so we can offer full catalogue children’s x-books as a start.
Widespread Support for Audiobook Promo Tools for Publishers
Our publisher tools like First Listen and digital audiobook gift cards for in person events are really driving results for the publishers who are making best use of them. We are seeing significant momentum from partners who have integrated these tools into their core launch strategies.
The Team Together
Finally, on a personal note, it was a rare and wonderful treat to have (nearly) the entire xigxag team together in London. We’re a remote-first bunch, often scattered from Cornwall to Leeds, so it’s not often we’re able to connect in person with each other, or the teams we support across the industry.
It’s a vital reminder that while we are building a digital-first platform, our business is ultimately driven by human connection. This face-to-face time with our publisher partners and bookseller friends reinforces that the tools we build are solving real-world challenges for people we genuinely care about. We’ve all headed back to our respective corners of the UK feeling recharged, aligned, and ready for the busy months ahead.
What to expect in 2026
The support we’re feeling from across the industry is palpable. We’re more motivated than ever to keep building a fairer, more sustainable, and more accessible way for everyone to experience the stories we love.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to meet with us. Now, back to work!
