New York Book Forum

Sunset Social on the Hudson Fundraiser
2025-06-12 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | The Baylander, West Harlem Piers, New York, NY, 10027, United States
Back for 2025!
Please join us for a wonderful evening of food, drinks, and conversation while taking in the spectacular views of the Hudson River in support of the New York Book Forum, Inc.
Proceeds from this event will ensure NYBF’s continued sponsorship of programs, events, and literacy advocacy.
Admission is $100 per person, which includes two drink tickets for beer & wine and served hors d’oeuvres and appetizers. A cash bar will be available.

Beyond the Books: Third Spaces, Libraries, and Book Bars
2025-05-21 17:30 - 20:00 | Macmillan Publishing, 120 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, NY, 10271, United States
Join us on Wednesday, May 21st for 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.

Watch on YouTube!
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

Bingo Book Bash 2025
2025-04-30 17:30 - 20:00 | Hachette Book Group, 1290 6th Avenue, New York, NY, 10104, United States
Back for 2025!
New York Book Forum wants to acknowledge the ongoing support of its members by hosting this special Members-only social event! Light refreshments will be provided followed by a few rounds of Bingo with prizes!
Admission is open to and free for active NYBF members, but space is limited so you must RSVP to attend. If you are unsure of your membership status, please email info@newyorkbookforum.org.

RSVPs are now closed

Sustainability in Paper, Print, and Publishing
2025-04-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Google Meet
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 House
Elizabeth Bartheld, Vice President of Government Relations at Sylvamo

Moderated by Claudia Pilcher, Sustainability Planner at Scholastic Inc.

Watch on YouTube!
Listen on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify!

Women Who Drive Publishing
2025-03-19 17:30 - 20:00 | Macmillan Publishing, 120 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, NY, 10271, United States
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 Books
Traci 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 Jenkins
Lauren Wein, Vice President and Editorial Director of Avid Reader Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster

Watch on YouTube!
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

In the Mood for Love
2025-02-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Google Meet
A Look at the Romance Genre
Join us on February 19th for our virtual program on the romance genre with The Ripped Bodice, an eminent romance bookstore in Brooklyn, to explore 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
Vi-An Nguyen, Art Director, Penguin Random House
Katherine Zofrea 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 is an art director at Penguin creating book covers of all kinds, a freelance illustrator, and an editorial cartoonist.

Watch on YouTube!
Listen on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify!

President's Night with Dave McCree
2025-01-15 17:30 - 20:00 | Scholastic, Inc., 130 Mercer Street, New York, NY, 10012, United States
Co-sponsored with Westchester Publishing Services
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.
Lakeside Book Company is the largest book manufacturing, fulfillment, and distribution company in North America. Their legacy of innovation began in 1864 when R.R. Donnelley started as a partner at a small printing company in Chicago, laying the foundation for their rich history. Lakeside Book Company combines cutting-edge technology and efficient processes designed for maximum productivity with their decades of book manufacturing experience.

Watch on YouTube!
Listen on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify!

2025 Annual Members Meeting
2025-01-14 12:00 - 12:30 | Google Meet
The New York Book Forum Annual Members Meeting will be held January 14, 2025 at noon. At this meeting, the President will present a recap of the 2024 season and we will hold elections for the Board’s Class A Directors.
A link to the meeting and online ballot will be sent to all members whose membership is current as of 1/14/25. We encourage all members who meet this criteria to attend and vote. While not mandatory, please RSVP below if you plan on attending so we have a sense of headcount.
As always, if you need to renew your membership, please visit the Membership page of our website. If you are unsure of your membership status, or have any other questions, please email info@newyorkbookforum.org.

2026 Annual Meeting RSVP

Name(Required)

First

Last

Email(Required)

PhoneCompany/Organization/Institution

2024 NYBF Holiday Party
2024-12-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Prime Catch, 140 West 46th Street, New York, NY, 10012, United States
Please join NYBF members, friends, and colleagues at our Annual Holiday Party!
FREE for current NYBF members and $25 for non-members. Admission includes hot/cold hors d’oeuvres and wine, beer, and well drinks from the bar.
Once again, NYBF will be collecting children’s books for Care for the Homeless, which provides quality healthcare, human services, and shelter to families and individuals experiencing homelessness in NYC. As of this writing, there are over 45,000 children in the NYC shelter system. At a time that is supposed to be filled with joy and festive gatherings, this is a staggering number of children who are facing the holidays with uncertainty. Over this holiday season, we are relying on your generosity to join us in making the holidays a little brighter for children who will be spending this season in shelters, and not in the comfort of home. Please consider bringing a children’s book (or two) with you and help to open the world a little for children who are spending this season in shelters. Thank you!!

The Changing Craft of Print
2024-11-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Google Meet
Looking at Offset and Digital Print, and How it Changes the Industry’s Landscape
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.
Christian Schamberger is the President of Mercury Print Productions, a Rochester-based company specializing in offset and digital printing solutions, with a focus on the educational publishing sector. With over two decades of experience, Christian has been instrumental in adopting advanced inkjet technologies, transforming Mercury into a leader in high-quality, short-run educational content production. He holds a Bachelor’s in Print Management from RIT and has served in various leadership roles since joining Mercury in 2001. Christian also has over 15 years of board experience in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, contributing to strategic development and community outreach initiatives.
Ashley Gordon is Publishing Segment Manager for the PageWide Industrial Division of HP Inc. Her twenty years’ experience in the digital technology industry include previously held positions as the Vice-President of Business Development for technology start-ups Sprout and SharedBook, Director of Channel Development for Lightning Source, and strategy consultant to clients including National Association of College Stores, Cengage, SIPX, and FlatWorld. She is the founder of Mockingbird Publishing, an indie press that partners with nonprofit organizations to create custom book projects, including Every Mother Counts, Library For All, and Aid to Inmate Mothers.
Watch on YouTube!
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Publishing Bootcamp 102
2024-10-21 08:30 - 17:30 | Macmillan Publishing, 120 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, NY, 10271, United States
Join us for our next Publishing Bootcamp: “Pulp to Print: A One-Day Intensive on Paper, Production, Printing, and Binding,” where you’ll dive into the fascinating world of book creation. This immersive experience will guide you through every stage of the book manufacturing process, from selecting the right paper, mastering printing techniques, and exploring the art of binding. Perfect for creatives, publishing professionals, and print lovers, this workshop offers a unique blend of theory and hands-on practice. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship behind every book and the skills to bring your own projects to life.
This program is a follow-up to our highly-successful Publishing Bootcamp 101!
Program Agenda:

8:30 – 9:00 am – Registration and Welcome Breakfast
9:05 – 10:30 am – Session #1: The Art of Paper Making — Joe Rice, Lindenmeyr Book Publishing Papers
Theory: History of Paper: From papyrus to modern paper; Types of Paper: Different grades, weights, and finishes; Paper Production Process: From raw materials to the final product. Activity: Paper Examination: Hands-on examination of different paper samples.
10:30 – 10:45 am – Morning Break
10:50 am – 12:15 pm – Session #2: Printing Techniques — Michael Wettstein, Phoenix Color/Lakeside Books
Theory: Introduction to Printing: Overview of offset, digital, letterpress, and screen printing; Choosing the Right Technique: Factors that influence the choice of printing method; Color Theory: Basics of CMYK and spot colors. Activity: TK
12:30 – 1:30 pm – Networking Lunch
1:45 – 2:30 pm – Session #3: Bookbinding Basics — Erin Sommerfeld, R.R. Donnelley Asia
Theory: Introduction to Binding: Understanding different binding techniques (e.g., perfect binding, saddle stitching, case binding); Materials Used: Discussion of the materials needed for different types of binding; Binding Tools: Introduction to essential binding tools and equipment. [Please note we have had to cancel the Binding activity]
2:35 – 2:55 pm – Afternoon Break
3:00 – 4:15 pm – Session #4: Production Workflow and Quality Control — Irene Chan, Scholastic; Eugene Lee, Penguin Random House; Richard Bretan, W.W. Norton & Co.
Theory: Production Workflow: Overview of the production process from concept to finished product; Quality Control: Key aspects to consider during the production phase, including proofing and color checks; Cost Considerations: Discussing the cost implications of material and process choices. Activity: Production Planning Exercise: Participants work in groups to plan the production of a hypothetical print project, considering paper type, printing method, and binding style.
4:20 – 5:15 pm – Wrap-Up and Q&A
Recap of key learnings from the day; Q&A: Open floor for questions and discussions.

Modern Horror: What Makes Us Jump Today
2024-10-16 17:30 - 20:00 | Macmillan Publishing, 120 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, NY, 10271, United States
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:
Anne Heltzel, author of Just Like Mother, Circle Nine, and other novels
Andy Marino, author of The Seven Visitations of Sydney Burgess, It Rides a Pale Horse, and other novels
Watch on YouTube!
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Upholding Literacy with the Science of Reading
2024-09-18 17:30 - 20:00 | Macmillan Publishing, 120 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, NY, 10271, United States
Please join us on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 for this informative discussion with 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.
Whether you’re an educator, researcher, or literacy advocate, this program offers a unique opportunity to deepen your knowledge about proven methods of teaching reading that has improved literacy rates across the country.
Watch on YouTube!
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

NYBF Bingo Book Bash
2024-07-17 17:30 - 20:00 | Hachette Book Group, 1290 6th Avenue, New York, NY, 10104, United States
New York Book Forum wants to acknowledge the ongoing support of its members by hosting this special Members-only social event! Light refreshments will be provided followed by a few rounds of Bingo with prizes!
Admission is open to and free for active NYBF members, but space is limited so you must RSVP to attend. If you are unsure of your membership status, please email info@newyorkbookforum.org.

RSVPs are now closed. We look forward to seeing our members tonight!

Publishing Bootcamp 101
2024-06-17 08:30 - 18:00 | Macmillan Publishing, 120 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, NY, 10271, United States
Unlock the secrets to a successful publishing career with our Publishing Bootcamp 101, a one-day event for both professionals at the beginning of their journey and anyone considering a career in publishing. This intensive seminar will propel your career forward by equipping you with critical industry knowledge and skills.
Join us for a day packed with dynamic workshops, expert-led panels, and interactive sessions–all focused on the essential aspects of the publishing industry. Our Bootcamp covers everything from understanding the nuances of acquisitions and editorial processes to mastering marketing techniques and the insight into the book making process.
You’ll have the opportunity to connect with other like-minded professionals, expand your network, and gain insights into the industry’s best practices. Whether you’re an aspiring editor, marketer, or salesperson, this conference will provide you with the tools to navigate the complexities of the publishing world.
Take advantage of this chance to start building the foundation for a successful career in publishing! Spaces are limited. Reserve your spot now and be ready to transform your potential into success!
Program Agenda:

Registration and Welcome Breakfast — 8:30 – 9:00 am (NOTE change in time)
Opening Remarks/Keynote: Start the day with an inspiring keynote from Mary Beth Roche, President, and Publisher at Macmillan Audio, who will share insights into the future of publishing and career growth strategies — 9:00 – 9:30 am
Workshop 1: Editorial Excellence: Dive into the art of manuscript selection and editing. Learn what editors look for, how to manage author relationships, and best practices for guiding a manuscript from submission to publication — 9:45 – 10:50 am
Morning Break – 11 – 11:10 am
Workshop 2: Marketing & Sales Mastery: Discover the secrets behind successful book launches and sales strategies. This session covers market analysis, campaign planning, digital marketing, and how to work with retailers and distributors effectively — 11:15 am – 12:30 pm
Networking Lunch – 12:45 – 1:45 pm
Panel Discussion: Navigating Your Publishing Career: Hear from a panel of seasoned professionals about different career paths in publishing. Gain valuable advice on navigating challenges and seizing opportunities within the industry — 2:00 – 2:45 pm
Afternoon Break – 3:00 – 3:15 pm
Workshop 3: Design & Book Production Dynamics: This panel discussion focuses on the crucial roles of design and production in the bookmaking process. Participants will gain insights from experienced industry experts about the best practices, challenges, and evolving book design and production trends — 3:30 – 4:45 pm
Closing Session: Building Your Brand: Understand the importance of personal branding in your career. Learn how to establish yourself as a thought leader based on your expertise — 5:00 – 5:45 pm
Adjourn — 6:00 pm

Sunset Social on the Hudson Fundraiser
2024-06-05 18:00 - 21:00 | The Baylander, West Harlem Piers, New York, NY, 10027, United States
Please join us for a wonderful evening of food, drinks, and conversation while taking in the spectacular views of the Hudson River in support of the New York Book Forum, Inc.
As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization, NYBF is dedicated to building bridges between the book publishing world and the public at large while focusing attention on the importance of reading and literacy.
Proceeds from this event will ensure NYBF’s continued sponsorship of programs such as our recent President’s Night with Mary McAveney, our Lapse in Literacy series, and recent Driven to Design forum plus our upcoming Publishing Bootcamp 101 educational seminar in June. New York Book Forum continues to be an advocate in supporting literacy in an ever-changing environment!
Admission is $100 per person, which includes two drink tickets for beer & wine and served hors d’oeuvres and appetizers. A cash bar will be available.

RSVPs are now closed. We look forward to seeing everyone on The Baylander!

Driven to Design
2024-05-15 17:30 - 19:30 | Macmillan Publishing, 120 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, NY, 10271, United States
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:

Elizabeth Parisi, VP, Creative Director at Scholastic Inc.
Albert Tang, VP, Creative Director at Hachette Book Group/Grand Central Publishing
Taewon Yu, Design Manager at Macmillan/Odd Dot

Moderated by: Laura Levatino, Interior Designer at Simon & Schuster
Watch on YouTube!
Listen on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify!

Sustainability in Publishing
2024-04-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Google Meet
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:

Katherine Fernstrom, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Sappi Paper and Chairperson for Sappi North America’s Sustainability Customer Council
Charles Light, Production Director at HarperCollinsUK
Susan Lee, Vice President of Environmental Health & Safety at Lakeside Book

Moderated by: Claudia Pilcher, Sustainability Planner at Scholastic Inc.
Watch on YouTube!
Listen on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify!

Lapse in Literacy, Part 2
2024-03-20 17:45 - 20:00 | Scholastic, Inc., 130 Mercer Street, New York, NY, 10012, United States
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:

Jill Hardy Heath, President and CEO, Heart of America
Andre Eaton, New York State Director, ParentChild+
Erinn Salge, Director of the Anderson Library, Morristown Beard School

Moderated by: Kate Davis, Assistant Director, Jersey City Free Public Library
Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify!

Presidents Night with Mary McAveney
2024-02-21 17:45 | Scholastic, Inc., 130 Mercer Street, New York, NY, 10012, United States
Join us for an engaging conversation with Mary McAveney, President and CEO of Abrams Books.
Mary McAveney is a publishing veteran with decades of experience and expertise in marketing, strategy, and branding. In November 2022, she became President and CEO of Abrams, making her the first woman to hold the position in the company’s history. Her appointment marked a return to Abrams after 30 years, having started her publishing career there in the sales and marketing department.
McAveney 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.
Prior to Abrams, McAveney was the Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Revenue Officer at Open Road Integrated Media, where she led the efforts behind the company’s marketing platforms, leading to dramatic increases in sales. Her previous positions in publishing include senior roles
Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify!

2023 Holiday Party with NYBF
2023-12-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Prime Catch, 140 West 46th Street, New York, NY, 10012, United States

A Lapse in Literacy: How We Fight Back
2023-09-20 05:45 - 20:00 | Scholastic, Inc., 130 Mercer Street, New York, NY, 10012, United States
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. Join us as 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.
Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify!

September Soiree
2023-09-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Bleecker Street Bar, 648 Broadway, New York, NY, 10012, United States
Come mingle this September with members of the New York Book Forum at Bleecker Street Bar! Meet fellow publishing colleagues in a relaxed networking setting and learn about the benefits of NYBF membership. There will also be some NYBF “swag” on hand!
Admission is free, but you must RSVP to attend. Each RSVP comes with 2 free drink tickets for beer/wine/well drinks/soda. There will be light snacks as well. Hope to see you there!

A Look At Love: The New Voices of Romance
2023-07-26 17:45 - 20:00 | Scholastic, Inc., 130 Mercer Street, New York, NY, 10012, United States
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, join NYBF and a panel of experts to discuss the secret to success in the ever-evolving genre of romance.
Panelists include authors TJ ALEXANDER and ELF AHEARN , as well as LAUREN WHITE-JACKSON, freelance editor and NYBF program committee chair; moderated by JENNIFER PROFFITT, digital marketing manager for Brooklyn Public Library and co-host of Ship Tease, a romance recommendation podcast.
Watch on YouTube!
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

A Story of Evolution with Jane Friedman and Victoria Wilson
2023-05-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Hachette Book Group, 1290 6th Avenue, New York, NY, 10104, United States
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. Join NYBF to hear these leading voices in American publishing discuss their experience, expertise, adventures, and vision of what lies ahead in books, business, and life.
Jane Friedman is a leading publishing executive, consultant and innovator, who has worked with such internationally bestselling authors as John le Carré, Julia Child, Michael Crichton, John Updike, Joseph Heller, Toni Morrison, and Dennis Lehane. At Random House she has been Executive Vice President of Random House Inc., Executive Vice President at the Knopf Publishing Group, Publisher of Vintage Books, and Founder and President of Random House, Audio Publishing. She served as the first female global CEO of a major publishing enterprise at HarperCollins Publishers Worldwide (NewsCorp) from 1997–2008. In 2009, Friedman co-founded Open Road Integrated Media with Jeffrey Sharp, a company that transformed digital publishing by creating ebooks from legendary authors including William Styron, Alice Walker, and James Jones. For her work with Open Road, Friedman was named one of Fortune Magazine’s most powerful women entrepreneurs.
Victoria Wilson is Vice President, Executive Editor at Alfred A Knopf, Publishers. Among the many authors she has worked with: Walter Abish, Alice Adams, Diane Ravitch, Laurel Ulrich, Susan Cheever, Mary Beth Norton, Amy Klobuchar, Laurie Colwin, Diane Johnson, William Gass, Peter Bogdanovich, Lorrie Moore, Anne Rice, Arthur Laurents, Sarah Chayes, Philippe Sands, Jill Ciment, George Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Helen Simpson, David Steinberg, Lisa Alther, Meryle Secrest, Suzanne Simard, Ruth Gruber, Jane Alexander, Richard Mason, Jacques d’ Amboise, Erin Brockovitch, Amy McGrath and Annalena McAfee. Wilson has served on the board of PEN, Poets & Writers; was Vice President of the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures; and was appointed by President Clinton to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. Her acclaimed biography, A Life of Barbara Stanwyck: Steel-True 1907-1940, was published by Simon & Schuster. She is at work on the concluding volume of the Stanwyck biography.
Watch on YouTube!
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

The Debut Author and Modern Marketing
2023-04-26 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
From pitch letters and review outlets, to BookTok and Bookstagram, this NYBF 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!
Watch on YouTube!
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

The Importance of Agents
2023-03-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
What do literary agents do, and why do you need one? Join NYBF for an illuminating discussion of 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), ELIZABETH COPPS (Copps Literary Services); moderated by SHELLY ROMERO.
Watch on YouTube!
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
