SATURDAY, APRIL 18
11 a.m.–noon
Classic Retellings with a Modern Twist
Authors Kalynn Bayron, Ryan Douglass, Jesmeen Kaur Deo, Elizabeth Lim, and Danielle Paige will compare notes on giving modern readers new ways to fall in love with the canon. (Room 1A01–02)
11 a.m.–noon
Game Changing TV: Celebrating Heated Rivalry
From hockey romance novel to HBO show, Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry has become an overnight phenomenon. The author will talk with executive producer Jacob Tierney and moderator Versha Sharma about skating from page to screen. (Main stage)
11 a.m.–noon
The Power of Storytelling: The Joy of Queer Escapism and a Celebration of Trans and NB Voices
Authors Kate Bornstein, Casey McQuistion, and Aiden Thomas will discuss the power of queer representation in literature. Moderated by Harlequin editor John Jacobson. (Room 1A23–24)
11 a.m.–noon
Spotlight on Tomi Adeyemi and The Siren
The Hugo award–winning author of Children of Blood and Bone will talk about her highly anticipated new novel with Jean Feiwel, publishing director of Feiwel & Friends and Henry Holt Books for Young Readers. (Room 408–410)
11–noon
Spotlight on Veronica Roth
Join the author of the Divergent series for a discussion about the world of her latest novel, Seek the Traitor’s Son, and how she crafts hardship and hope into her stories. (Room 1A21–22)
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
The Depths of Darkness: An Exploration of Dark Fantasy with Holly Black and Marie Lu
The authors will discuss their most recent books, the journey to making their adult fiction debuts, and traversing the darker elements of imagined worlds. (Room 405)
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Dazzling Debuts
New voices in fiction Delali Adjoa, Petra Lord, Cait Jacobs, Grace McCormick, and Cindy Pham will gather to reflect on their paths to publication. (Room 402)
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Spotlight on Kennedy Ryan
The author of Before I Let Go will talk sisterhood, mental health, and Black love in romance, and share a sneak peek of her upcoming novel, Score. (Room 1A03–05)
12:45–1:45 p.m.
Audible Presents: New Achievement! The Princess Posse comes to BookCon
LitRPG audiobooks have taken the world by storm, thanks in no small part to Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl series. Audible voice actor Jeff Hays and Dinniman talk about the evolution of the genre and provide an exclusive early look at the series’s eighth installment, A Parade of Horribles. (Room 1A21–22)
1–2 p.m.
Penning the Perfect Atmosphere: Creating the Riveting Worlds and Emotions of Speculative and Fantasy Novels
Authors Olivie Blake, Alix E. Harrow, and Alexis Henderston will discuss how they craft engaging worlds, and where they want to explore next. (Room 405)
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Freedom to Read
National leader of Authors Against Book Bans David Levithan will join authors Gloria Muñoz, Ava Reid, and Kiersten White for a timely conversation about fighting against censorship on the front lines. (Room 1A01–02)
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Getting to Second Base and Beyond: The Winning Thrills of Sports Romance
Fan-favorite authors of the genre Olivia Belle, KT Hoffman, Piper Lawson, and Lynn Painter will talk about weaving the tension of competition into stories that blend athletic grit with romantic heat. (Room 1A21–22)
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Spotlight on Alyssa Cole
Full of intense emotion and riveting characters, Cole’s books are a popular pick for readers of high-voltage fiction. At this event, she and author L.S. Stratton will discuss all things thriller. (Room 408–410)
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Then/Now: The Evolution of Your Career Since That First Book
Meg Cabot, Melissa de La Cruz, Kami Garcia, and Ann M. Martin will discuss the arc of their careers as novelists. Moderated by author Libba Bray. (Main stage)
7:30–8:30 p.m.
Plot Twist Podcast: Will Books Survive the Future?
The future of publishing, AI, and who really wins in the industry will all be on the table in this live taping of the hit show featuring hosts Victoria Aveyard and Soman Chainani. (Room 408–410)
8–9 p.m.
BookCon & NBF Presents: Poetry Slam
Hosted by NBA honoree Mahogany L. Browne, readers can sign up on-site and will each have three minutes to compete for a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble Union Square. (Room 406.1; Grove Stage)
SUNDAY, APRIL 19
11 a.m.–noon
Dancing with the Dark: Creating Atmospheric Stories with a Critical Lens in Dark Academia, Horror, and Fantasy
Authors Elizabeth Agyemang, Maria Ingrande Mora, Linsey Miller, Leila Siddiqui, and LaDarrion Williams will discuss crafting novels that weave academic, gothic, and cultural elements into fantastical settings. (Room 1A01–02)
11 a.m.–noon
The Eras Tour: Fiction Across the Ages
Isabel Ibanez, Rebecca Lehmann, Jodi Picoult, and Adriana Trigiani will compare notes about writing fiction with a strong sense of place set in different periods. (Room 408–410)
11 a.m.–noon
Manga Matchmaker: Finding Your Next Obsession with Yen Press
Manga experts from HarperAlley, Kodansha Comics, Manga in Libraries, and Yen Press will join mangaka Gigi Murakami to recommend their favorite titles in the format. (Room 402)
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Queer Horror: Then and Now
Authors Nino Cipri, Victor Manibo, Hailey Piper, Jade Song, and Andrew Joseph White will review the latest trends in the subgenre and explore how injecting queer themes can heighten horror’s impact. Moderated by author Laura R. Samotin. (Room 402)
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Spotlight on Leigh Bardugo
The author of the Shadow and Bones and Six of Crows series will converse with Danielle Roblay, executive producer of Reese’s Book Club, about her work, what inspires her Grishaverse worldbuilding, and what readers can expect from her next book. (Main stage)
12:30–1:30 p.m.
This Is Going to Be Epic: A Look at High Fantasy Fiction
Chelsea Abdullah, Cassandra Clare, and Sarah Mughal Rana— known for their epic fantasy tales for YA readers—will discuss their creative process and give their fans a preview of what’s to come. (Room 408–410)
1–2 p.m.
Killer Plots: Writing a Thriller Worth Dying For
Kate Bernet, Delilah S. Dawson, E. Lockhart, and Riley Sager will share their secrets to writing thrillers and crime fiction steeped in suspense and psychological intrigue for both YA and adult readers. (Room 1A23–24)
2–3 p.m.
Narrating Blockbuster Audiobooks
Acclaimed audiobook narrators Joniece Abbott-Pratt (The Reformatory), Helen Laser (The Wedding People), Rebecca Soler (Fourth Wing), and Julia Whelan (The Women) will reveal the secrets to mastering the art of audiobook narration. (Room 1A101–02)
2–3 p.m.
Thousand Voices with Jenna Bush Hager
Hager will introduce her new PRH imprint, Thousand Voices x RHPG, which focuses on storytellers writing in a wide range of genres, and feature forthcoming Thousand Voices authors Emma Brodie, Anna McCallie, and Ariel Sullivan. (Room 1A21–22)
2–3 p.m.
We Tell Our Own Stories: Indigenous Authors Claiming Space and Reimagining the Future
Dominique Burleson and Rebecca Roanhorse will reflect upon their careers as Indigenous authors in a predominantly white industry. Moderated by Paperbacks & Frybreads founder Moniquill Blackgoose. (Room 408–410)
2:15–3:15 p.m.
The Heroines of Romantasy: Crafting Strong Female Leads Finding Love and Facing Danger
Fan-favorite romantasy authors Victoria Aveyard, Carissa Broadbent, Rachel Gillig, and Scarlett St. Clair will share their recipes for a riveting, steamy, and addictive romantasy story. (Main stage)
2:30–3:30 p.m.
The Alchemy of Young Adult Fantasy
Tracy Deonn, Jordan Ifueko, Analeigh Sbrana, and Amélie Wen Zhao will talk about writing YA fantasy and preview what’s next for each of them. Moderated by author Claribel Ortega. (Room 405)
3:30–4:30 p.m.
Simon Maverick Presents: Women Behaving Badly: Women Writers and Their Beautifully Messy Characters
Hanna Harp, I.V. Ophelia, Gretchen Powell Fox, and H.M. Wolfe will examine the art of creating complex female characters in romantasy and dark romance fiction. Moderated by author Jason Pinter. (Room 408–410)
4–5 p.m.
Exploring Futures Beyond Our Own: How Sci-Fi Can Speak to Our Present
August Clarke, Yume Kitasei, and Patrick Ness will show how the genre can catalyze imaginations—and serve as a warning. Moderated by author Delilah S. Dawson. (Room 1A23–24)
4–5 p.m.
Page to Screen
May Cobb, Robinne Lee, Emily St. John Mandel, and Andy Weir will discuss going from bestseller to blockbuster adaptation. (Main stage)
