Former CEO of Penguin Random House, US, Madeline McIntosh will be joining us from New York to talk about The Evolving Relationship Between Authors & Publishers

Madeline the co-founder, CEO and Publisher of Authors Equity (www.authorsequity.com), a new publisher dedicated to reshaping the relationship between author and publisher. She is known for her work as publishing leader and as a digital pioneer, having played a seminal role in each of the major inflection points in the consumer book market over the past three decades, including ecommerce, digital audio, and eBooks. She currently serves on the boards of Simon & Schuster and the US-based nonprofit, Poets & Writers.

Madeline will speak about the impact the evolving marketplace has had on the relationship between publishers and authors. In the “old days” (which weren’t that long ago), the publisher was the one in the power seat, acting as the tastemaker and gatekeeper. In a digitally-dominated world, it’s the author is more likely to control the keys to reaching an audience.What are the issues that publishers of all kinds & sizes need to consider as we forge our paths to the future? Where is scale our friend, and where our enemy? How do we balance hard-earned expertise with willingness to try new things? While there may not be quick answers to the challenges we’re facing, Madeline will bring her essential optimism and passionate belief in the vital role of the publisher to bear in asking the right questions in this session.

We are excited to have Sara Lloyd joining us from the UK to speak about Bits and Books: AI’s role in the next chapter for publishing

Sara is Group Communications Director and Global AI Lead at Pan Macmillan. In addition to leading the company’s communications team and strategy, she is responsible for developing the trade group’s AI approach globally, spearheading strategic direction, informing and engaging both internal and external stakeholders, developing principles and policies in relation to AI use, leading on AI safety and ethics and facilitating a culture of innovation and change. In her 30+ year career, Sara has played a key role in transforming many publishing businesses from print to digital, and leading change projects more broadly, driving and delivering cultural as well as structural and process change. She is a regular presenter and writer on many topics including innovation, change, leadership and marketing, looking to share and inspire others. Sara is also a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in publishing and the wider creative industries.

In her keynote speech, Sara will unpack the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence and publishing, peeling back the layers of AI’s potential to revolutionise publishing, highlighting both the opportunities and the complex challenges this fast-evolving technology presents. Discover first-hand how Pan Macmillan and the Holtzbrinck Group is steering a path through this new terrain and pioneering the thoughtful integration of AI into its operations. Sara will draw on her first year of experience as Global AI Lead, the first role of its kind in UK trade publishing, sharing invaluable insights and lessons learned. By turning a spotlight on the practical considerations for publishers and elucidating what AI signifies for all stakeholders in the publishing process, Sara aims to demystify AI for publishers. Leave feeling empowered and enlightened about steering the future of publishing in an AI-driven world.

Nadim Sadek will be zooming in from the UK to present a session titled Allied Intelligence: How AI can Reshape Learning and Creativity

Nadim is Founder & CEO of Shimmr AI, which is revolutionising book sales by generating and deploying automated, self-optimising advertising for titles. He is also the author of ‘Shimmer, don’t Shake – how Publishing can embrace AI’, globally published by Forbes and in all other languages by Mensch. Trained as a psychologist, Nadim founded and led global market research agencies, a whiskey, food and music brand from an island off the west coast of Ireland, and an AI-driven brand management platform.

Accessibility in Publishing – how to reach a wider and more diverse audience

A panel of experts will discuss a range of issues and approaches to accessible publishing including producing accessible content, rights perspectives, AI, representation, digital accessibility, and the Australian initiative Books beyond barriers.

Nigel Waring is a passionate advocate for technology accessibility and inclusion. As the Head of Technology and Accessibility at Blind Low Vision NZ, Nigel leads the initiatives and development aimed at leveraging technology to empower individuals with visual impairments. With a background in engineering and project management, Nigel brings a unique perspective to the intersection of technology and accessibility. He is dedicated to breaking down barriers and ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, has equal access to information and the digital world.

Accessibility in publishing – how to reach a wider and more diverse audience

Sarah Runcie will join Nigel on the Accessibility in Publishing panel to share her insights.

Sarah Runcie  is founder and principal consultant of Runcie & Co, an arts consultancy based in Gadigal/Sydney Australia. She has over 25 years’ experience in the arts industries as a practitioner, advocate, policy and strategy adviser and executive manager. Her professional focus is on supporting and building sustainable and accessible cultural industries, institutions and events through diversification.

Steff Green, Author and Self publisher and Karen Workman, Creative Rights Educator, Copyright NZ will also be joining Nigel and Sarah.

Highly successful author and self-publisher Steff Green will share her knowledge on how to engage with the BookTok audience in her Bonkers for BookTok  session

Who is on BookTok, what are they watching, where do you find them and what makes them buy books? Steff will talk about how to promote your books on this incredibly popular platform to reach a broader community of bibliophiles.

Under her pen name Steffanie Holmes, Steff is the USA Today  bestselling author of over fifty kooky, spooky paranormal, cozy fantasy, and gothic romance novels. Legally blind since birth, Steffanie received the 2017 Attitude Award for Artistic Achievement. She was also a finalist for a 2018 Women of Influence award and is an Arts Access Aotearoa Advocate.

Highly successful author and self-publisher Steff Green will share her knowledge on how to engage with the BookTok audience in her Bonkers for BookTok  session

Who is on BookTok, what are they watching, where do you find them and what makes them buy books? Steff will talk about how to promote your books on this incredibly popular platform to reach a broader community of bibliophiles.

Under her pen name Steffanie Holmes, Steff is the USA Today  bestselling author of over fifty kooky, spooky paranormal, cozy fantasy, and gothic romance novels. Legally blind since birth, Steffanie received the 2017 Attitude Award for Artistic Achievement. She was also a finalist for a 2018 Women of Influence award and is an Arts Access Aotearoa Advocate.