Wednesday, March 11
10–10:20 a.m.
Keynote: Joanna Prior, CEO of Pan Macmillan—Why the Reading Crisis Is a Bigger Threat Than AI
In her first industry-wide keynote since becoming CEO, Prior—also chair of the National Literacy Trust—will argue that declining reading and literacy, not AI, is the most profound challenge facing publishing. (Main stage)
10–10:45 a.m.
Distribute Globally, Print Locally: Insights from Publishers on Cross-Border Printing
Moderated by Ashley Gordon (Sheridan) with Cathy Felgar (Princeton University Press), this session will look at how publishers are adopting distributed production strategies in response to tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and sustainability goals using advances in inkjet and POD technology. (International stage)
10:30–11:15 a.m.
Bookshops to BAFTAs: How Well-Loved Stories Are Finding New Audiences via TV, Film and Streaming
The Publishers Association will bring together Rebecca Glashow (Tribeca Enterprises), Holly Tonks (HarperCollins Children’s Books), and Alice Pearse (Netflix) to discuss why book adaptations resonate with audiences and how viewing for enjoyment can become reading for enjoyment. (Main stage)
11:15 a.m.–noon
Breaking Through and Reshaping of the Future of Publishing
Moderated by Ye Wenfang (Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication), speakers including Ji Weimin (China Social Sciences Press), Catriona MacLeod Stevenson (Publishers Association UK), Niels Peter Thomas (Springer Nature), and Angus Phillips (Oxford Brookes) will discuss AI integration and the shift from content providers to knowledge service providers. (International stage)
12:30–1:15 p.m.
Author of the Day: In Conversation with Jo Nesbø
One of the world’s bestselling crime writers, Nesbø will talk about his career and the Netflix adaptation of his Harry Hole series arriving later this year, in an interview with Jake Kerridge (the Daily Telegraph). (Main stage)
12:30–1:15 p.m.
The Translator as an Asset
Chaired by Kotryna Garanasvili, with translator Jeremy Tiang and Kristen Vida Alfaro (Tilted Axis Press), this session will explore the far-reaching roles translators play beyond translation—as scouts, agents, interpreters, and activists—and how the industry can better support them. (Literary Translation Centre)
1:15–1:45 p.m.
An Audio Success Story: How Dungeon Crawler Carl Found Its Audience
Author Matt Dinniman and narrator-producer Jeff Hays (Soundbooth Theater) will join Pat Shah (Audible) to talk about how the independently published series became a breakout audio phenomenon and what it takes to build a loyal fan base through audio. (Author HQ)
1:30–2 p.m.
Interview with Mary Bekhait, CEO of YMU Group—Finding New Talent and New Stories in 2026
Mary Bekhait, CEO of talent management agency YMU Group, will discuss with Nathan Hull (Beat Technology) what defines a story worth telling, who the new curators of quality storytelling are, and how publishers need to adapt to engage modern sources of talent. (Main stage)
1:45–2:15 p.m.
Imagine Non-Fiction: The Form and Its Politics
Chaired by broadcaster Georgina Godwin (Monocle Radio) with writer Anna Pazos, this session will discuss whether the line between fiction and nonfiction still holds—and whether objectivity is possible, publishers bear responsibility for the ideas they publish, or literature can ever stand free from political bias. (Literary Translation Centre)
2:05–2:50 p.m.
Author of the Day: In Conversation with Mike Gayle
Bestselling novelist Mike Gayle, author of 18 novels including My Legendary Girlfriend and recipient of the Romantic Novelists’ Association Outstanding Achievement Award, will discuss his career with Nina Pottell (Prima magazine). (Author HQ)
2:30–3:15 p.m.
Growing Readers in a Noisy World: What Publishing Is Learning from Other Creative Industries
Sanjee de Silva (Sweet Cherry Publishing) will explore how audience-first thinking, data-driven discovery, and lessons from fashion, music, and media are changing the ways books are positioned and promoted in a fragmented, platform-driven world. (Main stage)
3:30–4:15 p.m.
AI on Trial: Lessons from Landmark Copyright Cases
Legal experts and creative industry insiders will dig into the impact of major AI copyright cases—including Bartz v. Anthropic, Kadrey v. Meta, Getty v. Stability AI, and GEMA v. OpenAI—and what they mean for publishers, authors, and creators. With Shireen Peermohamed (Harbottle & Lewis) and Ed Newton-Rex (Fairly Trained). (Main stage)
4:15–5 p.m.
Decoding the U.S. Book Market: Key Trends, Consumer Shifts, and Outlook for 2026
Circana’s Brenna Connor and PW’s Edward Nawotka will explore U.S. book market trends across print and digital formats, how broader consumer behaviors are influencing book purchasing, and emerging opportunities for publishers and retailers in 2026. (International stage)
