In the context of the digital age, the transformation and upgrading of the publishing industry are crucial for achieving high-quality development. This paper explores how to promote the intelligent publishing transformation and the high-quality development of the publishing industry through the development of New Quality Productive Forces. New Quality Productive Forces, as an emerging concept, refer to the evolution of technology, organizational structures, and human capital that enables industries to enhance productivity, innovation capacity, and value creation through digital tools and data-driven strategies. Starting from the an analysis of the challenges in digital transformation of publishing industry, this paper reviews the domestic and international research on New Quality Productive Forces and the transformation and upgrading of the publishing industry, highlighting the existing gaps and identifying innovative directions for further exploration. Subsequently, it outlines the characteristics of New Quality Productive Forces, analyzes advantages, and emphasizes its role in the digital transformation of the publishing industry. When analyzing the challenges and opportunities of the publishing industry in the digital age, it is pointed out that traditional publishing is under pressures from emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things in its existing processes and production methods. Digital publishing enables the digitized and intelligentized processes of content creation, production, distribution, and marketing, significantly improving publishing efficiency while expanding its boundaries. However, digital transformation also presents challenges. The Issues in the publishing industry, such as content homogenization, copyright risks, and intensified market competition, remain the bottlenecks that restrict further development. Then, the role of New Quality Productive Forces in promoting the transformation of the publishing industry is emphasized, and practical pathway driven by New Quality Productive Forces is proposed for achieving the high-quality development of the publishing industry, focusing on four core elements: content innovation, technological progress, value extension, and model upgrading. Content innovation is the core of the high-quality development of the publishing industry. Publishing enterprises need to enhance the creativity and communicability of content through technological means, while aligning content with market demands. Technological progress emphasizes continuous adoption and integration of emerging technologies for the publishing industry, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, to improve the intelligence level of the publishing production processes. Value extension focuses on the expansion of the publishing value chain by promoting international publishing cooperation and the global dissemination of publishing content. Finally, model upgrading urges publishing enterprises to transition from traditional business models to more flexible and innovative operational ones, such as community economy and cross-border cooperation, to meet the market demand of the digital age. It is concluded that the path to high-quality development of the publishing industry driven by New Quality Productive Forces can not only rejuvenate the traditional publishing but also ensure its long-term sustainability and competitiveness. By embracing the opportunities brought by New Quality Productive Forces, the publishing industry can develop in a more flexible, innovative, and intelligent direction. The high-quality development and digital transformation of the publishing industry will further contribute to national cultural construction goals and enhance the quality and international impact of Chinese publications.