A publication is distributed by an automated publication delivery system. Activity around a physical location of the automated publication delivery system is monitored. In response to detection of an increased activity level around the physical location of the automated publication delivery system, additional copies of the publication are printed for distribution. For example, the automated publication delivery system is a kiosk and the publication is a newspaper. Monitoring is performed, for example, using a microphone to monitor noise level, an optical sensor to detect movement near the automated publication delivery system, and/or a motion detector to detect movement near the automated publication delivery system.