New York Book Forum Events New York Book Forum

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. 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.

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, we’ll discuss the secret to success in the ever-evolving genre of romance.



Authors TJ ALEXANDER and ELF AHEARN are featured. LAUREN WHITE-JACKSON, freelance editor and New York Book Forum program committee chair also joins the conversation, which is moderated by JENNIFER PROFFITT, digital marketing manager for Brooklyn Public Library and co-host of Ship Tease, a romance recommendation podcast.



Watch the recording of this virtual program on YouTube ⁠here⁠.

JANE FRIEDMAN (HarperCollins Publishers) and VICTORIA WILSON (Penguin Random House) present “A Story of Evolution: 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. In "A Story of Evolution," these leading voices in American publishing discuss their experience, expertise, adventures, and vision of what lies ahead in books, business, and life.



Watch the recording of this in-person program on YouTube ⁠here⁠.

From pitch letters and review outlets, to BookTok and Bookstagram, this 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!



Panelists include LAURA KEEFE (a senior director of marketing at Penguin Random House) and NICK FULLER GOOGINS (author of The Great Transition); moderated by NICHOLAS LATIMER (VP & director of publicity, Penguin Random House).



Watch the recording of this virtual program on YouTube ⁠here⁠.

What do literary agents do, and why do you need one? The Importance of Agents discusses 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), and ELIZABETH COPPS (Copps Literary Services); moderated by SHELLY ROMERO.

Watch the recording of this virtual program on YouTube here.

On MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, New York Book Forum presented “Opening a Bookstore”—The How-To Guide for Design, Market Outreach, and Success—an exclusive peek into the incredible debut of P&T Knitwear, a revolutionary new bookstore located in lower Manhattan.



LAUREN WHITE-JACKSON (our program director) was joined in conversation by JOSEPH DEMES, events and outreach manager; SERGE RODRIGUEZ, floor supervisor and podcast studio coordinator; and JULIE WERNERSBACH, general manager and book buyer.



Learn what it takes to create a space tailored to the reader, to establish a community that values the discovery of new books, and to grow the skills of staff with a fresh sense of opportunity. What are the do’s and don’ts of opening a bookstore, and how do you ensure a successful, long-term plan? With interest in bookshops seemingly at its peak, P&T Knitwear has cracked the code, establishing a wonderful space that allows readers, authors, and book lovers to inhabit an exciting, new literary home.