Association of American Literary Agents

Sign up for the Agent/Editor Roundtables at the @peopleofpublishing.bsky.social conference here: m.signupgenius.com#!/showSignUp...

Slots are limited and will fill up on a first-come, first-served basis. #agenteditorroundtables #peopleofpublishing #peopleofpublishing25

AALA People of Publishing Conference

There’s still time to register: visit www.peopleofpublishing.org for more details on how to register and what the full range of programming will entail.

#peopleofpublishing
#peopleofpublishing25
#thefreedomtoread
#thelibrariansfilm

Panelists include: Kim A. Snyder, Director/Producer, The Librarians film; Janique L. Robillard, Producer, The Librarians film; Skip Dye, SVP, Library Sales & Digital Strategy; Chair, PRH Intellectual Freedom Taskforce and Special Guest: Martha Hickson, retired Librarian and film participant

Moderated by Mary Van Akin, this session will focus on how we as publishing professionals can get involved. This exclusive screening is sponsored by Macmillan Publishers. @macmillanpubusa.bsky.social

Closing Plenary sponsored by Macmillan Publishers on the Freedom to Read, featuring an exclusive screening of The Librarians film

Our closing session features the exclusive New York City screening of the powerful documentary The Librarians in advance of its theatrical run in 30+ U.S cities. The film focuses on the unprecedented wave of book banning in Texas, Florida, and beyond and librarians who have emerged as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment rights as they face harassment, threats, and laws aimed at criminalizing their work. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and publishing professionals about how we as an industry can and should meet this challenge.

The Librarians film poster and stills from the movie

Visit www.peopleofpublishing.org for the full conference schedule

The Closing Plenary at the @peopleofpublishing.bsky.social conference will feature an exclusive New York City screening of the award-winning documentary, The Librarians and a discussion with the producers and other industry leaders on book bans and the Freedom to Read @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social

AALA People of Publishing Conference

There’s still time to register, please check out www.peopleofpublishing.org for more details and a full schedule of events. #peopleofpublishing #peopleofpublishing25 #theglobalmarketplace

Headshot of panelist Catherine Clark

Headshot of panelist Michelle Herrera Mulligan

Headshot of panelist Jean McGinley

Headshot of panelist Doug Wallace

Featuring insider perspectives on how to strategically position books for global success, we’ll hear from panelists Catherine Clarke of Felicity Bryan Associates, Michelle Herrera Mulligan of Primero Sueño Press, Jean McGinley of Harper Collins & Doug Wallace of Andrew Nurnberg Associates.

People of Publishing presents The Global Marketplace

Expand your horizons with this panel of professionals who will discuss the global marketplace for book publishing. Understand what genres are selling in various territories and which ones are most interested in American properties. Learn about Spanish language publishing within the United States and how international publishers are helping further that goal. The panel will provide insider perspectives into the effect of geopolitical events and social trends on the demand for books, what “global publishing” means, and how agents and editors can strategically position books for international success.

Headshot of moderator Kelly Farber

For the full conference schedule see www.peopleofpublishing.org

Expand horizons with global publishing insights at the @peopleofpublishing.bsky.social’s panel on “The Global Marketplace” moderated by Kelly Farber of KF Literary Scouting.

AALA People of Publishing Conference

There’s still time to register: go to www.peopleofpublishing.org and learn more. #peopleofpublishing #peopleofpublishing25

Headshot of panelist Scott Dickey

Headshot of panelist Oriana Leckert

Headshot of Christina Loff

Headshot of Colleen Pendergast

Featuring a panel that includes Scott Dickey, CEO of Podium Entertainment; Oriana Leckert, Head of Publishing, Kickstarter; Christina Loff, Head of Lifestyle Partnerships, Substack; and Colleen Prendergast, Associate Director of Licensing & Audiobook Publishing, Spotify there is so much to learn!

People of Publishing presents The Creator Economy

As creators with massive followings turn into author-entrepreneurs, the lines between platform and publishing continue to blur. This panel will examine the rise of creator-authors through the lens of opportunity: what agents and editors should look for when assessing creator-driven proposals, how followings on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify and Substack translate into book sales, and which categories are ripe for growth. We’ll explore what makes a creator truly “book-ready,” the tools fueling their reach, and how publishing professionals can adapt their acquisition and development strategies to stay ahead in a platform-powered market.

Headshot of Moderator, Jacob Bronstein

Visit peopleofpublishing.org for the full conference schedule.

Learn what makes a creator “book ready” from Podium, Kickstarter, Spotify, and Substack during the @peopleofpublishing.bsky.social conference panel “The Creator Economy” moderated by QCODE Media EVP & Director of Content, Jacob Bronstein.

AALA People of Publishing Conference

The People of Publishing Conference is designed to give editors and agents the tools, insights, and connections to thrive in today’s fast-changing publishing landscape. I can’t wait to see you there.

Register now at peopleofpublishing.org.

We are grateful to have incredible sponsors—major publishers, industry partners, and organizations like Spotify joining us to make this possible.

You’ll hear from CEOs, CFOs, and thought leaders across the industry. Panels will cover everything from auctions & dealmaking, to margins, markets & mission. We’ll also host roundtables where editors & agents can sit face-to-face, plus screenings & evening receptions to continue the conversations.

✨What Makes This Different✨

This is a conference that centers the people who make the business of books work—the agents, editors, executives & industry professionals who power publishing every day. It’s a full day dedicated to professional development and real opportunities to learn and connect.

I’m Regina Brooks, President of the Association of American Literary Agents and CEO of Serendipity Literary Agency. I am so excited to invite you to the very first People of Publishing Conference (peopleofpublishing.bsky.social), happening Sept 17th at the New York Academy of Medicine in NYC.

AALA People of Publishing Conference

CLOSING PLENARY
The Freedom to Read

RECEPTION
Celebrating the People of Publishing

Check out www.peopleofpublishing.org for more information.

CLOSING PLENARY The Freedom to Read RECEPTION Celebrating the People of Publishing

AFTERNOON SESSIONS
The Invisible Weight: The Unseen
Labor Behind Author Success

Margins, Missions, and Markets:
How Financial Leaders Are
Steering the Industry's Next Chapter

Agent/Editor Roundtables 2

Auction Confidential: The Battle for the Book

Book-to-Screen Adaptations 3/

List of Programs OPENING PLENARY Publishing CEOs on an Industry Writing Its Future in Real Time MORNING SESSIONS The Creator Economy The World of Publishing Building Your List: Strategy, Taste, and Marketability Agent/Editor Roundtables 1

The List of Programs includes:

OPENING PLENARY

Publishing CEOs on an
Industry Writing Its Future in Real Time

MORNING SESSIONS

The Creator Economy

The World of Publishing

Building Your List: Strategy,
Taste, and Marketability

Agent/Editor Roundtables 1 2/

The People of Publishing conference will be held September 17, 2025 at the New York Academy of Medicine. Register at http://bit.ly/4nsgiAR

Check out the preliminary program for the @peopleofpublishing.bsky.social conference to be held on September 17th at the New York Academy of Medicine. Register now, if you haven’t already! 1/

For authors, AALA provides a searchable database of members for writers seeking representation. Members represent agents in all areas of the publishing process, handling the sale of rights through publication, and helping their clients develop successful publishing careers. Authors can be confident that our agents pledge to follow the highest standards of professional conduct in serving the needs of their clients. Members must agree to adhere to the Association of American Literary Agents’ Bylaws and Canon of Ethics.

Learn more at aalitagents.org.

For authors, AALA provides a searchable database of members for writers seeking representation. Members represent agents in all areas of the publishing process, handling the sale of rights through publication, and helping their clients develop successful careers.

Learn more at www.aalitagents.org

For members, AALA regularly holds panels, educational programs, and social events. Our committees meet monthly to discuss important issues and prepare alerts and announcements on the latest industry developments in areas such as contracts, royalties, and legal practices. AALA serves as the hub for the literary agent community and is a valuable resource for information and networking.

Membership is open to all professionals working at literary agencies.

For members, AALA regularly holds panels, educational programs, and social events.

AALA serves as the hub for the literary agent community and is a valuable resource for information and networking.

Learn more about AALA and how we support literary agents to better serve authors with integrity and excellence. Membership is open to all professionals working at literary agencies.

The Association of American Literary Agents (AALA) is the preeminent organization of and for professional literary agents in the United States. Our mission is to help members maintain and expand their professional skills, stay informed about developments in publishing, and work toward increased diversity in both the profession and the wider industry.

Learn more about AALA and how we support literary agents to better serve authors with integrity and excellence.

www.aalitagents.org

The Association of American Literary Agents (AALA) is the preeminent organization of and for professional literary agents in the United States.

The AALA People of Publishing Conference brings together literary agents, editors, and publishing professionals for meaningful discussions, networking, and professional development. This event is sponsored and produced by the Association of American Literary Agents.

peopleofpublishing.org

Panelists will include:

Meghan Harvey (Co-Founder & President - @bindery_books)
Madeline McIntosh (Co-Founder, President, & Publisher - @authorsequity)
Cindy Spiegel (Co-CEO - @spiegelandgrau)
Molly Stern (Founder & CEO - @zandoprojects)

We’ll discuss these publishers’ unique vantage on the industry as a whole, what kind of author might be particularly well served by exploring different models, and how these publishers are working to meet a shifting publishing market.

This is a members-only event. You must log in to your account on the AALA website to register.

The panel will begin with brief presentations from each participant introducing their company and the lists they are crafting, followed by a moderated conversation and a Q&A session.

AALA members! Join us this Wednesday for a:

✨ New & Innovative Publishers Roundtable ✨

The Programming Committee of the AALA is pleased to announce a roundtable discussion featuring several more recently-established independent publishers with innovative business models.

AALA members! Join us on June 24th for:

✨ The Royalties Committee Presents: Royalties Software Demo for Agents ✨

Join Bradbury Phillips, Atlas Rights & E3 The Rights Manager as they showcase their agency accounting software.

This is a members-only event. Register: aalitagents.org/event/the-ro...

There are more than 140 items up for auction, AMAs, critiques, book bundles, subscriptions, seminars and more! Critiques are the most popular items to bid on, and there are more than 50 AMAs ranging from open ended to specific topics like foreign rights or marketing.

www.32auctions.com/LAFC