diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 9370d70..b23c31f 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,3 +1,17 @@
+## 2.6.1
+
+`2.6.1` is a patch release focused on restoring linked discussion thread creation when
+`discussion_category_name` is set. It fixes `#764`, where the draft-first publish flow
+stopped carrying the discussion category through the final publish step.
+
+If you still hit an issue after upgrading, please open a report with the bug template and include a minimal repro or sanitized workflow snippet where possible.
+
+## What's Changed
+
+### Bug fixes 🐛
+
+* fix: preserve discussion category on publish by @chenrui333 in https://github.com/softprops/action-gh-release/pull/765
+
 ## 2.6.0
 
 `2.6.0` is a minor release centered on `previous_tag` support for `generate_release_notes`,
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 3a5e3df..c730587 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "action-gh-release",
-  "version": "2.6.0",
+  "version": "2.6.1",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "action-gh-release",
-      "version": "2.6.0",
+      "version": "2.6.1",
       "dependencies": {
         "@actions/core": "^3.0.0",
         "@actions/github": "^9.0.0",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index a910406..93a17c6 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "action-gh-release",
-  "version": "2.6.0",
+  "version": "2.6.1",
   "private": true,
   "description": "GitHub Action for creating GitHub Releases",
   "main": "lib/main.js",