New York Book Forum Events

What makes a book stand out on the shelf? Should we just package books in a brown bag? Who, and what, ultimately influences the decision to buy it? From trim size, paper stock, and bind style, to cover design, special finishes, and typography, how do all these aspects contribute to a book’s commercial success?Join us on Wednesday, October 21st for a panel discussion about design, production, consumer expectations, and the marketplace. Our panelists will examine the factors driving decisions around book specs by sharing perspectives on what bookstores and sales teams look for when evaluating a title, what consumers respond to in book design and specifications, and how design and production teams turn it into the products on our shelves.If you have ever wondered why the book you are reading looks the way it does and how things such as budget, format, genre, retail strategy, or production concerns, affect the book you are reading, please join us for this conversation.Panelists:Lauren Panepinto, Creative Director, Orbit Books | Chief Creative Liaison, VP, Hachette Book GroupLisa Ferris, VP Production Director, Penguin Random HouseModerated by Michael Wettstein, Phoenix Color and NYBF program committee member.

Book challenges and bans continue to shape libraries and communities nationwide. Join librarians for a candid conversation about intellectual freedom, censorship, and the realities of responding to book challenges. Drawing on their professional experiences, they will discuss how librarians balance access, community concerns, and the freedom to read while serving the public. Moderated by Kate Davis, Assistant Director, Jersey City Free Public Library, this timely virtual discussion offers an inside look at one of the most important issues facing libraries today.Panelists:Jennie Pu, Director of the Hoboken Public LibraryMartha Hickson, award-winning librarian at North Hunterdon High School and nationally recognized advocate for intellectual freedomRobyn Vittek, Director of Mt. Lebanon Public LibraryTHIS IS AN OFFICIAL 2026 BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL BOOKEND EVENT

Join us for an engaging and forward-looking conversation on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the publishing industry, featuring industry expert Keith Riegert.We’re excited to discuss with Kieth how AI is reshaping the way content is created, edited, produced, and distributed—from automated workflows, optimization of marketing, to data analytics and audience insights. We hope to uncover and share practical perspectives on how publishers can thoughtfully integrate AI into their processes while maintaining editorial integrity, creativity, and ethical standards.Keith Riegert is the President of The Stable Book Group, which includes Ulysses Press, She Writes Press, VeloPress Books, Trafalgar Square Books, and Skybox Press, as well as Stable Distribution (in partnership with Hachette Book Group). Keith is also CEO of Perfect Bound Technologies Corporation and a co-founder of the book publicity and digital marketing firm, Pacific & Court. Keith is a member of the board of advisors at NYU’s School of Professional Studies in the Center for Publishing where he also teaches Analytics and Consumer Insights. Keith also serves on the board of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA).#publishing #books #artificialintelligence

The publishing industry is under growing pressure to reduce emissions, rethink materials, and build more sustainable supply chains. In this New York Book Forum virtual program, industry leaders explore practical approaches to sustainability in print and publishing — from measuring carbon emissions to evaluating alternative materials and life-cycle impacts.Featuring Susan Lee, Vice President of Environmental Health & Safety at Lakeside Book Company, and Claudia Pilcher, Sustainability Manager at Scholastic Inc., this conversation covers:• Scope 3 and product emissions• Life-cycle assessments in publishing• Eco-friendly materials and design practices• Working with vendors to reduce environmental impact• The future of sustainability in print manufacturingModerated by Irene Chan, head of Pre-Press & Book Production at Scholastic, Inc.The New York Book Forum brings together professionals across publishing, printing, and media to discuss the ideas shaping the future of the industry.#publishing #sustainability #printing #bookpublishing #environmentalimpact #supplychain #manufacturing #publishingindustry

Twenty-five percent of children’s books feature a protagonist who is a minority. The numbers are lower in adult publishing, with research suggesting that less than 10% of published authors are people of color. Diverse storytelling provides a window into other worlds and is a panacea to cultural myopia. In our virtual program we discuss how the demographic makeup of authors affects diverse stories and how more diversity in authors and storytelling could shape our progress as an industry and as a society. Join us to hear about efforts that are helping the industry move the needle.Our featured speakers on this program are:Kyle Zimmer, President, CEO and Co-founder, First BookElissa Petruzzi, Program Director, We Need Diverse BooksThis program is moderated by Irene Chan, Program Chair, New York Book Forum

New York Book Forum is pleased to present Presidents Night featuring Madeline McIntosh, CEO and Publisher!Madeline McIntosh has a well-deserved reputation for thinking outside the traditional industry box, and that felt most true in 2023 when she left her job as CEO of the largest publisher (PRH US) to start up a tiny one, Authors Equity. Now, nearly two years into this venture she will share her vision for how publishers and authors can work together differently, and how it’s going so far at her new company. Join us on January 21st to hear what she has to say. Madeline lives in New York with her husband, novelist Chris Pavone. Co-sponsored by Westchester Publishing Services

What role do competitions play in launching and sustaining a writer’s and artist’s career? Join us for From Competition to Career, a panel discussion exploring how art and writing contests serve as powerful platforms for discovery, recognition, and professional growth. Competitions cultivate our creative communities and support emerging voices. They are cornerstones in sustaining a vibrant culture and creating opportunities for stories that might go unheard.Learn how competition organizers and participants navigate the world of competitions, from first submissions to transformative wins, and how those moments opened doors to publication, mentorship, and lasting creative communities.Whether you’re an aspiring artist or writer considering your first submission, an educator fostering literary talent, or a reader invested in the future of storytelling, this panel offers insight, inspiration, and practical takeaways on why these contests matter, how they can shape the creators or tomorrow, and what we can do to continue to support them.Featured Speakers:Christopher Wisniewski, Executive Director, Alliance for Young Artists & WritersLaurin Becker Macios, author of Calling Me Home, Somewhere to Go, and I Almost Was AnimalModerated by Irene Chan, Program Chair, New York Book Forum

Audiobooks have seen double digit growths in the last few years and what was once a niche category now commands a seat at the table when book deals are discussed. Greatness can be heard, and a skilled audiobook producer knows this—and delivers it. Tune in to hear what makes an audiobook great.What has led this growth is more than consumer interest, and the parties that have grown this category may surprise you. The growth of this category is multi-faceted and it shows how connected we are. Our panel will discuss how societal and technological shifts have shaped the growth of audiobooks. Whether you’re an audiobook fan or an audiobook neophyte, this conversation is sure to be enlightening.Panelists are:Anthony Goff, President at Blackstone PublishingKim Sayle, Senior Vice President at Hachette AudioThe program will be moderated by: Suzanne Galvez, Director, Audiobooks Editorial & Publishing at Spotify

Research has shown that teaching reading using science-based methods significantly improves literacy rates and in this program we seek to explore how can we utilize those science based methods and put them into action. We will explore what the barriers are to utilizing these methods, and discover what systems we have in place that are supporting these efforts and what areas could benefit from more development. Most literacy intervention happens at the early school level, and in the Nation’s Report Card from 2022, 67% percent of fourth graders are reading below their grade level and these numbers have hovered in this range for at least 20 years. What are we doing that is working and what isn’t, and how do we close the gap?Featured speakers:Louise Baigelman, CEO, StorysharesJackie Anderson, Early Literacy Program Manager at Jersey City Free Public LibraryProgram moderator: Irene Chan, Program Chair, New York Book Forum

An engaging panel discussion exploring the evolving role of third spaces—those essential community hubs that exist beyond home and work or school. As society seeks deeper connection, comfort, and creativity in communal environments, libraries and book-themed bars are redefining what it means to gather, learn, and belong.This thought-provoking conversation will feature Terry Hill, Director of the Jersey City Free Public Library, Nat Esten, owner of Book Club Bar, and Joseph Demes, Events Manager, P&T Knitwear, as they share insights into how their spaces foster community, promote literacy, and serve as modern sanctuaries for conversation and culture.We’ll delve into how traditional institutions like libraries are adapting to new social dynamics, and how ventures like book bars are tapping into our collective need for cozy, intellectually stimulating places to unwind. Whether you’re a lover of books, supporter of community spaces, or curious about hospitality and literature, this panel will inspire you to rethink where stories live and where they bring us together.