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:
Moderated 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:
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 Bodice
Katherine 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 House
Vi-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.
Creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky, horror has always been a genre of groundbreaking storytelling. From novels to comics and beyond, we’re here to explore the landscape of modern horror. Guided by a panel of experts, we will learn what gives us the shivers, which places are delving into spooky tales, and how we continue to see the genre grow. Featuring:
Presented by New York Book Forum’s program chair Irene Chan and Allison Molkenthin, a trustee of the Waterford Institute and executive producer of the documentary “The Right to Read”. At New York Book Forum, reading comes into focus, and we believe focusing on literacy is essential to building bridges between the publishing community and the public. The Waterford Institute is a non-profit organization engaged in utilizing educational tools to deliver improved education for children. Among its core initiatives, it promotes a phonics-based curriculum to improve literacy rates among all children, particularly those in greater need. New York Book Forum, Inc. is recognized as tax exempt under IRC § 501(c)(3) | A copy of NYBF's latest annual report may be obtained, upon request, from NYBF or from the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, Attn: FOIL Officer, 28 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10005. Copyright © 2024 | New York Book Forum, Inc. All Rights Reserved. NYBF is an informational forum. No solicitations, please. To contact New York Book Forum: info@newyorkbookforum.org
Don’t judge a book by its cover—unless it’s really well-designed. The first step through any book is usually the cover, and cover design can set the tone for a book, playing a crucial role in shaping the reader’s experience.
Whether you’re a seasoned designer, an aspiring designer carving your niche, or a lover of literature curious about the creative process behind your favorite books, this program will explore the balance between creativity and commercial appeal.
Join us as we speak to different designers in book publishing, spanning from adult fiction, YA, to juvenile fiction, about their design journey and what drives them in their approach.
Featuring:
Moderated by: Laura Levatino, Interior Designer at Simon & Schuster
Sustainability is a burgeoning field in publishing and can be encompassed in many ways. There is no doubt that sustainability initiatives by publishers will inevitably involve printers and suppliers, and vice versa. Organizations with goals for sustainability recognize the need for conversation and collaboration across our industry. Join us as we explore what the movement towards sustainability means for the print and publishing industry where we will compare what our friends in Europe are doing and discuss the growth and trajectory of sustainability in publishing. Featured panelists:
Moderated by: Claudia Pilcher, Sustainability Planner at Scholastic Inc.
Promoting literacy among various communities is a critical part of the NYBF mission. We are thrilled to continue the discussion with the organizations and initiatives fighting to enhance literacy education, particularly among underserved communities. We presented part 1 of this conversation in September 2023. Join us as we continue the ongoing conversation and hear more about what is already being done, and what we can do better.
Featuring:
Moderated by: Kate Davis, Assistant Director, Jersey City Free Public Library
Mary McAveney is a publishing veteran with decades of experience and expertise in marketing, strategy, and branding. She is known throughout the industry as a forward-thinking innovator who delivers success based on data-driven tactics, direct-to-consumer relationships, and digital discovery. As President and CEO of Abrams, McAveney oversees the company’s three divisions—Abrams, Abrams Children’s Books, and Abrams ComicArts—as well as the Abrams Distribution Client business. In addition, she sits on the board of Abrams & Chronicle Books, the London-based European arm of the two companies.
New York Book Forum, Inc. is recognized as tax exempt under IRC § 501(c)(3) | A copy of NYBF's latest annual report may be obtained, upon request, from NYBF or from the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, Attn: FOIL Officer, 28 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10005.
Copyright © 2024 | New York Book Forum, Inc. All Rights Reserved. NYBF is an informational forum. No solicitations, please.
To contact New York Book Forum: info@newyorkbookforum.org
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.
