The Audio Boom: Trends, Impact and Innovation
Industry leaders driving the audiobook revolution unpack the forces behind audio’s rapid rise and lasting impact. They’ll explore how publishers are evolving their strategies to reach wider audiences, why more authors are embracing audio to build their brands, and what the future holds for this dynamic format. This session offers unique insights into why audiences […]
Championing Literary Translation and the Advocacy of Underrepresented Voices
This session explores the vital role of literary translation in amplifying underrepresented voices and expanding global perspectives. The discussion highlights how collaborative efforts can influence publishers to embrace translated works from emerging markets, opening new pathways for diverse stories to reach international readers.
Reaching Schools: Marketing Children’s Books to Teachers and Librarians
Schools remain one of the most important gateways for children’s publishing—but how do publishers and authors effectively connect with teachers and librarians? In this session, Amber Ivatt and Liz Scott share strategies for building strong relationships with schools, creating impactful campaigns, and understanding what educators look for in children’s books. Moderated by school librarian Mary […]
Workshop : An Introduction to Writing with AI Workshop
What happens when humans and machines write together? In this session, Dennis Yi Tenen — former Microsoft engineer and now professor of literature at Columbia University — invites participants to put aside their nervousness about AI and explore its creative potential. Through examples and discussion, he will show how writers can use AI not as […]
Place, Memory, and Media: BrownBook’s Success Story
An exploration of how independent magazine publishing can serve as an urban archive. Ahmed and Rashid Bin Shabib discuss the role of Brownbook as both a record and a provocation—documenting overlooked geographies, spaces, and narratives that shape city life across the region.
Readers First: Investing in the Arab Mind
This session raises a question that goes beyond the boundaries of the book market to the very essence of human development. How can we address the challenge of declining readership in our societies? And what role can publishers play in inspiring curiosity and igniting a passion for knowledge among new generations? The speakers discuss the […]
Cultivating The Next Generation of Readers
Every child deserves to discover a book they love, in whatever form it takes. In this session, Alexandra Maramenides, Hannah Kettle, Wendy Meddour and Ollie Grant discuss how to inspire children to become lifelong readers. They will explore the evolving landscape of young audiences, the importance of diverse representation, and the joy of reading for […]
What Sells in the UAE? Trends, Predictions, and Publishing Insights
With the region’s rapid growth and unique multicultural mix, the UAE presents both opportunities and challenges for publishers. Is the market fragmented and hard to predict, or is there a clear direction taking shape? What drives readers’ choices, and how do local bestsellers often buck global trends? This session will explore what sells in the […]
Copyright in the Age of AI Strategies
This session examines how generative artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of writing and publishing. It explores questions around authorship, originality, and creative ownership in an era where machines can produce text, stories, and ideas. Through a critical look at the intersection of technology, creativity, and ethics, the discussion invites participants to reflect on how […]
Workshop : Illustration for Children’s Books Workshop
Led by illustrator Shelley Ann Jackson, this hands-on workshop is designed for aspiring children’s book illustrators who want to explore the power of visual storytelling. Across 2 hours, participants will experiment with narrative development through brainstorming exercises and drawing, discovering how images and words can work together to drive a story,. With practical exercises and […]