New York Book Forum Events

Promoting literacy among various communities is a critical part of the NYBF mission. We are thrilled to discuss the organizations and initiatives fighting to enhance literacy education, particularly among underserved communities. We tackle the ongoing conversation: What is already being done? And what can we do better? Featuring ANDRE EATON, New York State Director, ParentChild+; JILL HARDY HEATH, President and CEO, Heart of America; TAMI MOUNT, Senior Director, WETA / Reading Universe; and DEIMOSA WEBBER-BEY, Director, Information Services & Cultural Insight, Scholastic Inc.

Everyone has their own idea about what makes a romance novel . . . but how has the genre changed over the years? As previously untold love stories have entered the market, how have writers, publishers, and readers responded? From old tropes to new trends, we’ll discuss the secret to success in the ever-evolving genre of romance. Authors TJ ALEXANDER and ELF AHEARN are featured. LAUREN WHITE-JACKSON, freelance editor and New York Book Forum program committee chair also joins the conversation, which is moderated by JENNIFER PROFFITT, digital marketing manager for Brooklyn Public Library and co-host of Ship Tease, a romance recommendation podcast. Watch the recording of this virtual program on YouTube ⁠here⁠.

JANE FRIEDMAN (HarperCollins Publishers) and VICTORIA WILSON (Penguin Random House) present “A Story of Evolution: On Writing, Editing, Publishing, and Breaking the Glass of Expectations” JANE FRIEDMAN transformed a major company, and started a new venture that revolutionized digital publishing. VICTORIA WILSON is an acclaimed editor and publisher, and has written a major cultural biography, with the concluding volume now in progress. In "A Story of Evolution," these leading voices in American publishing discuss their experience, expertise, adventures, and vision of what lies ahead in books, business, and life. Watch the recording of this in-person program on YouTube ⁠here⁠.

From pitch letters and review outlets, to BookTok and Bookstagram, this panel takes on the complex world of modern book marketing. Join industry professionals to discuss the challenges facing today’s first-time authors, and the creative strategies opening up new channels for reaching readers. Audience outreach is ever-changing, so whatever your level of experience, you might learn something new! Panelists include LAURA KEEFE (a senior director of marketing at Penguin Random House) and NICK FULLER GOOGINS (author of The Great Transition); moderated by NICHOLAS LATIMER (VP & director of publicity, Penguin Random House). Watch the recording of this virtual program on YouTube ⁠here⁠.

What do literary agents do, and why do you need one? The Importance of Agents discusses the critical role agents play in the publishing ecosystem. Whether developing editorial relationships and marketing strategy or providing expert insight about a particular genre, discover how an agent’s work builds bridges between authors, publishers, and readers. Panelists include BRITT SIESS (Britt Siess Creative Management), STACY TESTA (Writers House), and ELIZABETH COPPS (Copps Literary Services); moderated by SHELLY ROMERO. Watch the recording of this virtual program on YouTube here.

On MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, New York Book Forum presented “Opening a Bookstore”—The How-To Guide for Design, Market Outreach, and Success—an exclusive peek into the incredible debut of P&T Knitwear, a revolutionary new bookstore located in lower Manhattan. LAUREN WHITE-JACKSON (our program director) was joined in conversation by JOSEPH DEMES, events and outreach manager; SERGE RODRIGUEZ, floor supervisor and podcast studio coordinator; and JULIE WERNERSBACH, general manager and book buyer. Learn what it takes to create a space tailored to the reader, to establish a community that values the discovery of new books, and to grow the skills of staff with a fresh sense of opportunity. What are the do’s and don’ts of opening a bookstore, and how do you ensure a successful, long-term plan? With interest in bookshops seemingly at its peak, P&T Knitwear has cracked the code, establishing a wonderful space that allows readers, authors, and book lovers to inhabit an exciting, new literary home.

Chasing a New Horizon—recorded October 19, 2022—highlights the continued effort to create a broader representation of diversity and acceptance within the publishing industry. Panelists include JOHN JENNINGS and TRUNG LE NGUYEN; moderated by PUJA TELIKICHERLA (American Psychiatric Association Publishing). As our community strives to amplify inclusivity, we have seen the shelves shift to allow space for fresh voices, new talent, and modern classics. Major publishers are making way for stories that center vast worlds of global mythology, intimate memoirs, and children’s tales for both fiction and nonfiction in what proves to be a dazzling future for narrative. Join as we discuss the minds and magic behind this crucial shift, from curation to creation and beyond. Watch the recording of this virtual program on YouTube here.

Panels, Pages, and Polyglots: The Rise of Bilingualism in Comics—recorded August 17, 2022—examines the marriage between comics and multilingual professionals.   Recently, the request for bilingualism in job postings for webcomics and manga has risen. How does this change the job of an editor who works on adapted titles? Are the roles of editor and translator being merged at publishers? Is it harder to find suitable candidates now that a certain level of fluency is required, or do we see a broadening of opportunities for hopeful comic lovers?    As the industry shines a light on language skills, this panel of professionals will discuss what exactly goes into creating, translating, and hiring employees for comics today. Panelists include CONNIE WU STONECYPHER (VIZ Media); ANDREA COLVIN (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers); TOMO KIMURA (Fellow Academy); and CARL LI (Yen Press); moderated by DEB AOKI (Mangasplaining/Publishers Weekly). Watch the recording of this virtual program on YouTube here.

The Paper Pause—recorded May 18, 2022—takes a closer look at the current shortages facing publishing and what that means for both professionals and readers alike.  How are publishing houses restructuring their workflow to accommodate various supply chain issues? What does this issue look like on an international scale? Due to the relationship between customer demand and supply, are certain genres and lesser-known authors’ titles affected more than popular books? How are smaller presses handling the disruptions? As this global issue progresses with various strategies at play, our panel of industry professionals discusses facets of paper, printing, and the resilience of publishing as a whole. Panelists include MEG REID (Hub City Press); DIRK HILER (Lakeside Book Company); DAVID HAMMOND (Penguin Random House); and JANE SEARLE (W. W. Norton & Company); moderated by MATT BAEHR (Book Manufacturers’ Institute). Watch the recording of this virtual program on YouTube here.

Watch the Show, Grab the Book: The Impact of Streaming on Reprints and Beyond—recorded on March 23, 2022—dives into the expanding world of streaming services, adaptations, and endless waves of reprints.  Panelists include METTE NORKJAER (BOOM! Studios); ANGELA SILVER (Penguin Random House); and DAVID F. WALKER (award-winning comic book writer, filmmaker, journalist, and educator). Moderated by PUJA TELIKICHERLA (American Psychiatric Association Publishing). How do publishers ensure a book's supply and demand balance-out once its adaptation gains popularity? What happens when a backlist title sees new popularity and needs huge reprints? What does the creative process of adaptation look like, and how will the marriage of streaming services and publishing create new jobs?  As we continue to observe the ever-evolving relationship between these two industries, this panel of professionals provides valuable insights into the inner workings of the book-to-show machine. Watch the recording of this virtual program on YouTube here.

Just how big is the universe? We all just might discover a new favorite planet: Planet Word! With its mission to “show, don’t tell”, this museum inspires a love of words through an immersive and entertaining experience. ANN FRIEDMAN, the founder and CEO of Planet Word was In Conversation with New York Book Forum President JANET MCCARTHY GRIMM on October 20, 2021.  Ann B. Friedman is the Founder and CEO of Planet Word and the developer behind the restoration of the Franklin School, the museum’s home. She was a beginning reading and writing teacher in the Montgomery County Public Schools for 9 years. From 2010-2016, she served as the Chair of the Board of the SEED Foundation, the parent body of the nation's only public, inner-city, college-prep boarding schools, where she currently serves as Vice Chair. Ms. Friedman is a new director of the American Alliance of Museums and a founding board member of the Downtown DC Foundation. She is on the board of the Aspen Music Festival and School and serves on the board of the National Symphony Orchestra. She is on the Advisory Board of Ascend, the Aspen Institute's program that promotes a two-generation approach to ending family financial insecurity. She and her husband, Thomas L. Friedman, the New York Times foreign affairs columnist, live in Bethesda, MD, and have two adult daughters. Watch the recording of this virtual program on YouTube here.

On August 18, 2021, New York Book Forum President JANET MCCARTHY GRIMM was joined by DR. CAMEA DAVIS, director of the National Youth Poet Laureate Program, an initiative of URBAN WORD. In addition to an illuminating talk, we were graced with special guest performances by MEERA DASGUPTA—the 2020 National Youth Poet Laureate—and SERENA YANG—the 2021 NYC Youth Poet Laureate—two of today's top youth poets! From the Urban Word website: Urban Word elevates youth voices as leaders at the intersection of the literary arts and civic engagement. Through the transformative power of the written and spoken word, Urban Word provides young, creative voices, often those that are marginalized, the tools, training, and platforms to rewrite the narratives that shape their lives and to own their agency in directing the future of their communities.   Headquartered in New York City, Urban Word annually serves more than 25,000 NYC youth between the ages of 13 and 19 through its local and school- based programming efforts, and more than 25,000 youth through its national programs including the National Youth Poet Laureate Program, its signature model for youth poetry and civic engagement replicated in communities across the country.   The New York City Youth Poet Laureate Program aims to identify young writers and leaders committed to creating change through civic engagement and poetic excellence.   Dr. Davis is a critical qualitative researcher, poet, and educator with a heart for urban youth and communities. She earned her doctorate in educational policy studies with minors in curriculum and instruction and educational technology from Ball State University. She currently works as an assistant research faculty at Georgia State University in the Department of Middle and Secondary Education. Her research interests include poetic inquiry, critical ethnography, culturally responsive teacher education, and youth activism. Watch the recording of this virtual program on YouTube here.

On June 30, 2021, New York Book Forum President JANET MCCARTHY GRIMM was joined by DR. NAOMI S. BARON, Professor Emerita of Linguistics at American University in Washington, DC. She is a former Guggenheim Fellow, Fulbright Fellow, and Visiting Scholar at the Stanford Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences. To view her compelling presentation to the Book Manufacturers Institute, “How We Read Now: An Author’s Journey” or “Medium Matters for Reading: What We Know about Learning with Print & Digital Screens”, visit bmibook.com. Watch the recording of this virtual program on YouTube here.

On April 21, 2021, New York Book Forum President JANET MCCARTHY GRIMM was joined by chief executive KYLE ZIMMER in a virtual program.   Kyle Zimmer is the president, CEO, and co-founder of First Book, a national nonprofit social enterprise providing equal access to quality education for children ages 0-18 growing up in low-income families. First Book has the largest and fastest growing network of formal and informal educators serving children in need, currently numbering more than half a million educators and growing by 1,000 each week.   Founded nearly 30 years ago, First Book has been recognized with awards from the Library of Congress, the National Book Foundation, the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, the National Education Association Foundation, the Authors Guild, and others. First Book operates across the U.S. and Canada, from offices in Washington, D.C., and Toronto, Ontario.   Through its groundbreaking Stories for All Project™ First Book has increased access to high-quality, diverse, and inclusive books, enabling children to see themselves and learn about each other through books, furthering empathy and understanding, and making reading and learning more relevant in the lives of millions of children.    In addition to books, First Book expands access to educational resources of all kinds, through its educator-driven models, including First Book Research & Insights, the First Book Accelerator and the First Book Marketplace. The organization has provided more than 200 million books and educational resources, with a retail value of more than $2 billion, to address the opportunity gap and fuel learning. Watch the recording of this virtual program on YouTube here.

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.

As the world embraces sustainability, publishers, suppliers, and print vendors meet at the crossroads. Join us for an insightful virtual program on Sustainability in the Paper, Print, and Publishing industry on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.At this event, we’ll explore the impact of the Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), discuss post-life cycle regulations, and talk about innovative ideas for carbon-conscious book manufacturing. We’ll also dive into the importance of responsible forestry and how print and publishing contribute to sustainable practices.Whether you’re a publisher, printer, supplier, or sustainability advocate, this session is a must-attend for anyone looking to make a positive impact on the planet while advancing their organizational practices.Featured speakers:Michael DeFazio, Vice President Production Planning and Sustainability at Penguin Random HouseElizabeth Bartheld, Vice President of Government Relations at SylvamoModerated by Claudia Pilcher, Sustainability Planner at Scholastic Inc.

Women make up 78% of the publishing industry and hold 59% of executive positions. Women publish more than half of the books in the market and women buy more books than men, accounting for approximately 69% of book sales. It is clear that women drive publishing. They are decision makers and forward thinking leaders. Join us on March 19 to listen to our panel of women who are leaders and creators in the industry speak about their experiences, and hear their perspectives and what it took for them to pave their way in publishing and what they think it takes for publishing to support women who are driving the industry forward.Panelists:Jody Mosley, Executive Publishing Director, Chronicle BooksTraci N. Todd, acclaimed award-winning author of Nina: A Story of Nina Simone, Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes, and Make a Pretty Sound: A Story of Ella JenkinsLauren Wein, Vice President and Editorial Director of Avid Reader Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster

Listen to our virtual program from 2/29/25 exploring the journey of the romance genre throughout the years. Romance has evolved into one of the most diverse, boundary pushing narratives in storytelling today. Readers are falling in love with love and lust.Our panel will discuss how societal shifts, culture, and changing reader tastes have shaped the romance genre. Whether you’re a romance fan, or new to the genre, this conversation is sure to be enlightening.Featured panelists:Katherine Zofrea, General Manager, The Ripped BodiceKatherine is a Southern Californian girl who recently moved to New York to help open The Ripped Bodice BK. Before working for the Ripped Bodice, she performed at the Disneyland Resort and received her degree in theatre from The University of California, Irvine. While she reads widely across the romance genre she is known as the resident monster romance expert. When she’s not reading she can normally be found watching Broadway shows, exploring museums, or haunting her local cemetery.Vi-An Nguyen, Art Director, Penguin Random HouseVi-An is an art director at Penguin creating book covers of all kinds, a freelance illustrator, and an editorial cartoonist.

Join us for a lively conversation with Dave McCree, CEO of Lakeside Book Company, about the trend of deluxe editions in 2024 and the outlook for the future, as well as other modern strategies and new technology.Dave McCree is a highly respected leader in the book manufacturing industry, bringing over three decades of experience and a proven track record of driving growth through diverse leadership positions. He holds a B.S. from the University of Vermont and began his career in 1989 at R.R. Donnelley working in Sales. Over the years, Dave steadily advanced through key leadership roles in both Sales and Manufacturing, demonstrating a deep commitment to cultivating strong customer relationships and delivering strategic solutions.Dave continued his career at RRD throughout its evolution, which included the company restructuring into multiple divisions and undergoing several name changes. In 2012, Dave was promoted to President of the LSC Communications Book business where he strategically guided its growth. In 2020, LSC Communications was purchased by Atlas Holdings and rebranded as Lakeside Book Company, naming Dave as CEO to lead the company with a focus on operational excellence.In addition to Dave’s many professional accomplishments, he has contributed his expertise as a Board Member for numerous organizations, including BISG, BMI, Nomadic Learning, Story Fit, St. Matthews Episcopal Church, and Whippoorwill Country Club. Dave’s extensive industry knowledge, leadership expertise, and a lifelong passion for books, has solidified him as a driving force in the book industry.

Join us virtually for this enlightening panel discussion with Christian Schamberger, President of Mercury Print, and Ashley Gordan, Publishing Segment Manager at Hewlett Packard Inc., where we will delve into the dynamic world of printing technologies and the evolving relationship between digital and offset printing. We’ll examine how advancing digital printing technology is reshaping the packaging, publishing, and printing landscape, the advantages to both, and how different companies leverage both methods. Whether you are a publisher, printer, or simply someone interested in the craft of print, join us for an opportunity to gain insight and engage with experts in the field.