BookCon, ReedPop’s consumer/fan-focused book event, will return to New York’s Javits Center April 18-19, 2026. The show ran from 2014-2019 as an add-on to Book Expo and was “retired” after it moved to a virtual event in 2020. ReedPop told USA Today that next year’s BookCon will be a “wholly reimagined event” with author panels, signings, workshops, and “crafting zones.” They are currently looking for exhibitors. According to the website, “BookCon will feature a vibrant Show Floor filled with everything from books and stationery to bookish apparel and accessories to home goods and wellness products. Bring your business to BookCon through […]
Events
AI, Marketing, and Diversity at the US Book Show
The US Book Show took place on Tuesday, with speakers discussing connecting with readers, the next generation of publishing, and—what else?—AI. In a conversation with Simon & Schuster ceo Jonathan Karp, Hachette Book Group ceo David Shelley noted that there are “benign” uses for AI, like compiling metadata, but that uses by “bad actors” like using copyrighted works to train AI models and using AI to create content are a challenge. “I think that it would be naive and lazy and incurious not to be intensely interested in what’s happening with AI, it’s certainly not why I got into book […]
A Million Lives Book Festival Disappoints Authors
Authors report they have lost money by participating in a poorly-run and poorly-attended book festival in downtown Baltimore last weekend. According to Newsweek, about 100 authors participated, particularly independent romance and fantasy writers, but even fewer readers showed up–authors estimate there were approximately 40 attendees on the first day and 125 on the second. Organizers told authors that the festival had sold between 500 and 1400 tickets. Videos on social media of the event, which was put on by Archer Management, show a nearly empty convention room with tables and chairs. Authors report that there was little communication with organizers […]
AI, Spotify, and Agent-Editor Relations at the US Book Show
The US Book Show returned on Wednesday, targeting programing to book industry professionals. In the opening panel, Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp, Baker & Taylor CEO Aman Kochar, Abrams CEO Mary McAveney, and Scholastic CEO Peter Warwick discussed their optimism for the industry and their thoughts on generative AI—a major topic of discussion throughout the day. McAveney feels positive about the industry because of the rise of independent publishers and authors, while Kochar referred to the growth of diverse, authentic stories. On AI, Warwick asked if books are already in ChatGPT, to which Karp nodded emphatically. Rather than an […]
Buzz Editors and Authors Panel Available to Stream
In case you missed it, we had another terrific evening on Wednesday with five breakout spring/summer authors and their editors on our latest Buzz Books Editors and Authors Panel. Here are a sampling of attendees’ comments on the event: This has been an amazing evening — such wonderful discussion and books. All of these books sound incredible. Can’t wait to read them all. I love authors who search for the greatest story never told This seems so interesting—I’m hooked! Sounds super intriguing! I am so happy with what and who is being published here. Gives me hope. Thank you for this […]
Don’t Miss Tomorrow’s Buzz Books Editors and Authors Panel
There’s still time to register for our virtual Buzz Books Editors and Authors Panel, tomorrow, Wednesday, January 24th at 7 PM Eastern. As always, we are honored to have the American Booksellers Association join us as co-presenter, with the inimitable Leigh Haber hosting once again. Leigh was most recently director of Oprah’s Book Club and VP of Books for O, the Oprah Magazine where she curated books coverage and essays. She was editor-at-large at Chronicle Books, senior editor at Scribner, executive editor at Hyperion and also at Rodale. As an editor, she worked with such authors as Alice Walker, Gloria […]