THURSDAY, MARCH 13
Knowing Your Worth and Empowering the Next Generation
Focus Theatre, 9:30–10 a.m.
How can the industry help women advance their careers, and how can mentors help them along? Elena Pasoli,
director of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, joins Cassie Rocks, codirector of the FLIP; Perminder Mann, CEO of Simon & Schuster U.K. and president of the Publishers Association; and Lisa Sharkey, SVP and publisher at Harper Influence at HarperCollins, to share insights on building confidence, fostering talent, and creating inclusive opportunities for future leaders.
The Prestige Paradox: Prizes in Translation
Literary Translation Centre, 10–10:45 a.m.
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award presents a session with Ian Giles, chair of the Translators Association in the U.K.; literary translators Jamie Bulloch and Morgan Giles; and Stefan Tobler, publisher at And Other Stories, examining the impact of awards on translators’ careers and how publishers acquire and commission work.
Cultivating the Next Generation of Readers
Main stage, 10:15–10:45 a.m.
Authors Will Rayfet Hunter and Taylor-Dior Rumble will join Natasha Poliszczuk of BookBrunch to discuss the evolving landscape of readers, diverse representation in literature, and how to foster a love of reading.
Small Is Beautiful? Africa’s Independent Book Publishers
Olympia Room, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Stephanie Kitchen, executive director of African Books Collective, will chair a discussion on the future of Africa’s independent publishing sector with African publishing professionals Shiraz Durrani, Jama Musse Jama, Mary Jay, and Goretti Kyomuhendo. Topics include digital platforms and local content development on the continent and methods of achieving financial sustainability.
Turning the Page: Publishing’s Role in Keeping the Focus on Sustainability
Main stage, 11:15 a.m.–noon
Gvantsa Jobava, president of the International Publishers Association, and Mary Glenn, chief of United Nations Publications, will discuss the ongoing progress of various international sustainability initiatives and what the publishing business can do, now and in the future, to help them along.
Understanding the U.S. Book Market Landscape
Focus Theatre, 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Brenna Connor, director and analyst for U.S. Books at Circana, will present the latest industry data from the U.S. and offer insight into the performance of the book market, emerging trends, and where future opportunities might exist.
How Nonfiction Publishing Leaders Can Leverage AI-Assisted Author Content
Tech Theatre, 12:15–12:45 p.m.
Anirvan Chakraborty, David Howell, and Georgia Kirke will explore the role of ethical AI in nonfiction book production, examining
strategies for optimizing revenue and production timelines.
Children’s Author of the Day—In Conversation with Frank Cottrell-Boyce
Main stage, 12:30–1:15 p.m.
The Waterstones laureate, screenwriter, and novelist will join Louisa Lewis for a conversation about his multifaceted career in children’s literature.
Universal Storytelling: How to Tell Your Story Across Multiple Platforms
Tech Theatre, 1:15–2 p.m.
Emma Topping, executive producer of Peter Rabbit and Netflix’s forthcoming adaptation of Redwall, will share insights from her 25 years of industry experience, and will offer practical guidance on adapting stories for multiple platforms and how to increase success
in book-to-screen adaptations.
Behind the Book: From Pitch to Page
Literary Translation Centre, 3–3:45 p.m.
Author Max Porter will moderate a panel featuring agent Laurence Laluyaux, translator Martin Aitken, and Fitzcarraldo Editions publisher Jacques Testard exploring the journey of translated literature from
concept to publication.
Navigating Social Media
Tech Theatre, 3–3:45 p.m.
Laura Summers, CEO of Book Machine, will moderate a discussion with Ellie Hewlett, head of social media at DK; Kate Molyneux, senior digital marketing manager for children’s books at Bloomsbury; and Matt Rafiq Vaz, head of digital media at Penguin Random House U.K., about optimizing your social media book marketing strategies.
