Tuesday, March 10
10–10:45 a.m.
Keynote Interview: Tom Weldon, CEO of Penguin Random House U.K.
Weldon will discuss publishing trends, his optimism for the industry’s future, Penguin Random House’s efforts to build a pipeline of readers, and the opportunities presented by the National Year of Reading. (Main stage)
10:15–10:45 a.m.
U.K. and International Book Market Sales and Trends in 2025
NielsenIQ BookData’s Suzy Warnock will present the latest consumer sales tracking
data, spotlighting standout authors, bestselling titles, and trends shaping fiction, nonfiction, and children’s publishing across the U.K. and international markets. (Tech Theatre)
11–11:45 a.m.
How to Survive and Thrive in a Post-Search World
As readers begin favoring AI assistants over traditional search engines, this panel with author Jamie Bartlett, Sarah Posner (Bonnier Books U.K.), and Karen Ronde (Danish Press Publications), chaired by Searsha Sadek (Shimmr AI), will explore what the shift means for book discovery and trust in recommendations. (Main stage)
11:15–11:45 a.m.
Beyond the Gatekeepers: Reaching New Readers and Communities in Publishing
Curated by the Black British Book Festival as part of the National Year of Reading, this panel will feature Que the Wolf (Dopereaders) and DD Armstrong (Jacaranda Books) on how to reach readers and communities that publishing often overlooks. (Salon)
Noon–12:45 p.m.
Creative of the Fair—In Conversation with Alice Oseman
Bestselling author-illustrator and Emmy-winning Heartstopper screenwriter Alice Oseman will talk about their career, from landing a publishing deal at 17 to becoming Attitude Person of the Year and British Book Awards Illustrator of the Year. Chaired by Rachel Wade (Hachette Children’s Group). (Main stage)
Noon–12:30 p.m.
Trends in Academic Publishing 2026
Deanta’s Patrick Shafe will present key findings from their 2026 survey looking at the evolution and impact of AI on publishers of books and journals, and explores what the future may hold. (Tech Theatre)
Noon–12:45 p.m.
Mai Jia: A Landmark Year for a Modern Chinese Master
Penguin Modern Classics is releasing Mai Jia’s acclaimed novels Decoded and In the Dark this summer—a rare milestone for a contemporary Chinese author. Representatives from his U.K. publishers at PRH and Bloomsbury will discuss the launch. (Reading China pavilion, 6D101)
12:10–12:55 p.m.
Ecosystem of Social for an Author
BookBrunch’s Natasha Poliszczuk will chair a discussion with author Emma Gannon, book influencer Zubs J Malik, and Caley Routledge (the Pitch Agency) on navigating today’s digital landscape, Substack’s growing influence, whether TikTok still sells books, and community-building for authors. (Author HQ)
12:15–12:45 p.m.
Her Voice: Tackling the Gender Gap in Non-fiction Publishing
The Women’s Prize Trust will present research showing women wrote only 26.5% of reviewed nonfiction and won just 33.3% of major prizes over the past decade. Womens Trust executive director Claire Shanahan, author Roma Agrawal, agent Maria Whelan (Mushens Entertainment), and Kirty Topiwala (Hodder & Stoughton) will discuss what needs to happen for this to change. (Salon)
12:45–1 p.m.
Narrator of the Fair—Readings with Ray Porter
A selection of readings by American actor and audiobook narrator Porter—winner of an Audie Award for Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary and narrator of more than 500 titles. (Tech Theatre)
2–2:30 p.m.
In Conversation with Bob Carrigan, CEO of Audible
As Audible marks 20 years in the U.K., CEO Bob Carrigan will discuss the evolution of the audiobook category, opportunities for publishers and authors, audio’s role in engaging new readers, and emerging trends in the audio space. (Main stage)
3–3:45 p.m.
Innovation, Change & Capability: A First Look at Publishing’s New Leadership Roles
Moderated by Nadim Sadek (Shimmr AI), panelists Anna Lemp (Hachette), Sarah Posner (Bonnier Books UK), Jessica Hanak-Hammerl (Simon & Schuster UK), and Keith Riegert (Stable Book Group) will explore why publishers are creating new jobs committed to innovation and transformation. (International stage)
4–4:45 p.m.
The Rise and Rise of the Authorpreneur
Alliance of Independent Authors director Orna Ross will chair a conversation with Thad McIlroy (the Future of Publishing) and author Debbie Young on what it means to be an “authorpreneur” today, with insights from ALLi’s new Indie Author Income Survey. (Author HQ)
4:15–5 p.m.
Small Is Beautiful? Africa’s Independent Book Publishers
This panel will highlight women’s contributions across the African publishing ecosystem, with Charity Kwatampora (Oxford Brookes University) and Ama Dadson (AkooBooks Audio) discussing innovation, creativity, and representation in print and digital publishing across Africa and its diaspora. (International stage)
4:30–5:15 p.m.
The Future of Marketing & Publicity
A panel featuring author Eve Wersocki-Morris, Cynthia Hamilton (the History Press), Polly Osborn (Simon & Schuster UK), and Sriya Varadharajan (Penguin Michael Joseph) on how marketing and publicity roles are evolving and merging in today’s media landscape. (Salon)
5–5:45 p.m.
Self-Publishing or the Traditional Model: The Inside Track
Chaired by Natasha Poliszczuk (BookBrunch), author Emma Gannon, Sam Eades (S&S), and Paige Allen (IngramSpark) will compare the realities of self-publishing and traditional publishing—editing, direct selling, reaching readers, and profit margins. (Author HQ)
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)
Thursday, March 12
10–10:45 a.m.
The Future of Black Literature: Ownership, Power & Global Reach
Authors Nic Stone and Dhonielle Clayton will explore how ownership, authorship, and adaptation shape the global reach of Black stories—from independent publishing to book-to-film adaptations and international markets. (Main stage)
10–10:10 a.m.
Chair’s Opening Remarks: Navigating the Second Digital Transformation
Louise Russell (Tutton Russell Consulting) will open the Academic and Professional Publishing Conference with a discussion addressing trust, AI, structural resilience, evolving business models, and new AI initiatives in scholarly publishing. (Academic Theatre)
10–10:45 a.m.
Mission Impossible? Protecting Authors’ Rights in the Age of AI
Chaired by Anna Ganley (Society of Authors) with CEATL president Francesca Novajra, leaders from authors’ organizations will discuss defending copyright, protecting livelihoods, and upholding human creativity against the threat of generative AI. (Author HQ)
10–10:30 a.m.
Phishermen, Pirates, and Patches: Cyber Threats and Defences in Modern Publishing
PRH director of information security Deborah Haworth and Michael Pound (University of Nottingham) will talk about growing cyberthreats to manuscripts, personal data, and intellectual property, and share defense strategies for publishers. (Tech Theatre)
Noon–12:45 p.m.
Author of the Day: In Conversation with A.F. Steadman
Steadman, whose Skandar series was an international bestsellers, with film rights optioned by Sony, will discuss her career so far and her upcoming adult fantasy series with Hannah Bull, of the Alligator’s Mouth bookshop. (Main stage)
noon–12:45 p.m.
SYP Ahead: Turning a New Page in Your Career
The Society of Young Publishers will host a careers and networking session for publishing professionals looking to advance in the industry. (Olympia Room)
12:15–1 p.m.
DEI in Publishing: Barriers, Breakthroughs & Takeaways for 2026
Chaired by Abigail Barclay (Inspired Search & Selection), Jodie Williams (Pan Macmillan) and Iram Satti (Bloomsbury) will share practical takeaways on what’s working in DEI, what barriers remain, and how to turn commitments into real action in 2026. (Tech Theatre)
1–1:45 p.m.
Publishing Jobs of the Future
Chaired by Suzanne Collier (Bookcareers.com), panelists Will Atkinson (Eye Books Group), Suzy Astbury (Inspired Selection), Selina Begum (Springer Nature), and Sofia Salazar Studer (HarperCollins) will explore how AI and technology are reshaping publishing careers. (Olympia Room)
1–1:30 p.m.
Ready or Not: Accessibility Legislation in the U.S. and E.U. and What Publishers Must Know
Moderated by Simon Mellins, speakers Stacy Scott (Taylor & Francis) and Cathy Felgar (Princeton University Press) will discuss critical gaps between E.U. Accessibility Act compliance and upcoming Americans with Disabilities Act Title II updates taking effect in April 2026. (Main stage)
2–2:45 p.m.
The Great Audiobook Debate
Framed as a friendly debate, Christopher Kenneally (the Spoken World podcast) will chair Javier Celaya (Dosdoce.com), Carina Spaulding (the Reading Agency), and Luis González Martín (Fundación GSR) in a discussion on whether listening to an audiobook counts as reading—and what it means to be a reader in 2026. (Tech Theatre)
2:30–3:15 p.m.
Trust in Science and News: Navigating in the Age of AI
Michael Pound (University of Nottingham), Michael Peel (Financial Times), and Susie Winter (Springer Nature) will unpack real-world examples—from vaccines to climate change—on combating false narratives and restoring public trust. Paid ticketed event. (Academic Theatre)
