WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12
The Cutting Edge of Book to Screen Adaptation Worldwide
Main stage, 10:15–10:45 a.m.
Leading industry figures will explore emerging trends and innovative approaches in global book-to-screen adaptations, examining successful case studies and future opportunities in this rapidly evolving sector.
Conversation with Liu Zhenyun
Literary Translation Centre, 11:15 a.m.–noon
The bestselling Chinese author and screenwriter and reading ambassador of the Beijing International Book Fair will be in
conversation with Alicia Liu, CEO of Singing Grass, and will then be joined by Jenny Niven, director and CEO of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and translator Nicky Harman for a discussion of Chinese literature and publishing.
Influence and Impact: Shaping the Future of Publishing
Main stage, 11:15 a.m.–noon
Digital transformation experts will examine how book influencers are reshaping reader engagement and publishing dynamics. Daphne Tonge, founder and CEO of Illumicrate; Tammi Clarke, content creator at BrndBx; and Emma Quick, marketing director at Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, will share insights into leveraging social media, building successful online book communities, and crafting compelling content that drives book sales.
Author of the Day–In Conversation with Monica Ali
Main stage, 12:30–1:15 p.m.
The author of the Booker–shortlisted novel Brick Lane will discuss her career, and her work with the Women’s Fiction Prize, with author and critic Chris Power.
Beyond the News: Accessing Writing from Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria
Literary Translation Centre, 12:30–1:15 p.m.
Literature provides crucial cultural context that goes beyond the news headlines from the war-torn Levant. Olivia Snaije will
moderate as Yasmina Jraissati, founder of RAYA Agency; Lynn Gaspard, publisher and managing director at Saqi Books; and Katharine Halls, translator at 10/11 discuss translated works that offer deeper understanding of these regions’ historical and cultural landscapes.
The Ethics of Funding: The Future of U.K. Literary Festivals and Prizes
English PEN Literary Salon (Focus Theatre), 12:30–1:30 p.m.
With sponsors pulling away from funding literary festivals and prizes, industry leaders will discuss possible alternative financing models, how to respond to public pressure, and what can be done to sustain and maintain these institutions.
Collaborative Guidelines: Audio Associations Shaping the Future of AI Narration Naming
Tech Theatre, 1:15–1:45 p.m.
Michele Cobb, executive director of the Audio Publishers Association, and Jon Watt, trade and audio business development director at Bonnier and chair of the Audio Publishers Group, will look at the growing need for standardized naming conventions in AI-powered narration.
Transforming Audio Content
Main stage, 1:45–2:30 p.m.
Amy Cudden, joint head of screen, audio, and innovation at the London-based drama school LAMDA, joins Aurelie de Troyer, SVP and head of regional content in the E.U. at Audible, and Georgina Cutler-Ross, audio sales director at Hachette UK, to examine innovative publishing strategies, business models, and techniques for audience engagement in the evolving audio landscape.
From Book to Screen: Transforming a Bestselling Book into a Hit TV Series
Main stage, 3–3:45 p.m.
Fee Mak, radio and TV presenter at BBC Radio 1Xtra, will moderate a conversation with author Lucy Clarke, executive producer Mike Benson, screenwriter Ben Harris, and literary agent Judith Murray about how they adapted Clarke’s novel The Castaways for Paramount+.
A Podcast Session with Senior Speakers
Main stage, 4:15–5 p.m.
Lisa Higginson, senior content director at Audible, and Nicola Holloway, producer at BBC Radio, will share their insights and perspectives on trends in podcasting, consumption patterns, and revenue models, as well as strategies for creating compelling stories.
Fireside Chat Session: How AI Will Change the Audiobook Landscape
Tech Theatre, 4:15–4:45 p.m.
AI narration and voice switching in apps is becoming a fact of life for the still-booming audiobook industry. Helena Gustafsson, chief content officer at Storytel; Ana Maria Allessi, president and publisher at Hachette Audio; and Eric Bartoletti, head of business development at Bookwire, join Publishers Weekly’s Ed Nawotka for a discussion on the technology’s transformative impact on audio publishing.
2025 Lifetime Achievement Award
Main stage, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
The London Book Fair will celebrate excellence in international publishing with the annual presentation of its Lifetime Achievement Award, which is being given to Gloria Bailey, associate director for export services at the Publishers Association.
