(All times are AEST)
08:30-9:00 – Registrations and refreshments
Registration opens at 8:30. Stop by the registration desk to pick up your badge, and then head to the Seminar Rooms for coffee, tea and orange juice with colleagues.
9:00-9:15 – Welcome
9:15-9:55 – Innovation in action: Experimentation and growth at Yoda Press
Growth and new market innovation is the focus of our opening keynote, delivered by Arpita Das, founder and publisher of the New Delhi-based independent publishing house Yoda Press.
Das will talk about the variety of ways in which Yoda Press explores opportunities for growth and new revenue streams – from experiments with crowdfunded graphic novels to book extracts in podcast form. She will also outline her ambitions for publishers globally to become more active in screen adaptations, and why industry needs to play a larger role in developing book culture spaces.
Arpita Das is the Founder and Publisher of the New Delhi-based independent publishing house Yoda Press. Celebrating its 20th year in 2024, Yoda Press publishes new perspectives on history, sexuality, dissent, cities and popular culture, with a focus on narrative non-fiction and graphic novels. Das is also editor of the South Asia Series at Melbourne University Publishing (MUP), and a columnist on South Asian book culture for Publishing Perspectives.
10:00-10:30 – Overcoming the barriers to reading
Despite the wealth of benefits documented in local and international research, the decline in Australians reading for pleasure, particularly across generational lines, is concerning for our industry and society as a whole. Join Breanna Wright, Co-Director, Health and Social Portfolio at BehaviourWorks Australia, and Anna Burkey, Head of Australia Reads, as they explore the barriers preventing Australians from reading and discuss how behavioural psychology can help reverse this trend. This conversation will delve into strategies that industry can implement to help boost reading rates.
- Anna Burkey – Head of Communications and Australia Reads, Australian Publishers Association
- Breanna Wright – Co-Director, Health and Social Portfolio, BehaviourWorks Australia
10:30-10:55 – Morning tea break
11:00-11:40 – Working with schools
How can publishers best support teachers in today’s educational landscape? In the ‘Age of Distraction’, what content truly captivates and resonates with learners? Our panel of educators and learning experts address these pressing questions and offer insights on how to get more Australian books and authors into classrooms and school libraries.
- Kristy Kendall – Principal, Toorak College
- Hayley McQuire – CEO, National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition, and Co-Chair, Learning Creates Australia
- Nick Rose – Founder & Chair, Curriculum Writers Association Australia
- Cam Salton (Chair) – Director - Learning Services, Pearson ANZ
11:45-12:30 – AI and Publishing: It's complicated
While AI technologies present serious legal and ethical challenges for publishers, they also offer potentially transformative opportunities. Find out how publishers are navigating these challenges in-house, and reimagining their business practices to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. Joining the discussion are experts Josephine Johnston (Copyright Agency) and Stuart Glover (Australian Publishers Association), who will shed light on their advocacy efforts at the highest levels of government.
- Josephine Johnston – CEO, Copyright Agency
- Sharon Mullins – Editor and lecturer, University of Melbourne
- Ben Pecora-Burne – Head of Product (Digital), Hardie Grant Publishing
- Katherine Roan – Senior Product Manager, Cengage
- Stuart Glover (Chair) – Government Relations and Policy Manager, Australian Publishers Association
12:35-13:00 – 'And the winner is...' Case studies from award-winners
Each year, certain works in publishing stand out for their innovation, creativity, and the tremendous effort behind their release. These achievements are celebrated through awards such as the Australian Book Industry Awards and the Educational Publishing Awards Australia. While there’s no secret recipe for success, what key factors helped certain texts rise above the rest? Two publishers share their experiences with their award-winning titles.
Bethany Nevile (Hachette) will discuss the Australian marketing campaign behind the international bestseller Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, which won international book of the year at the Australian Book Industry Awards and was shortlisted for Marketing Strategy of the Year; and Helen Rabenda (Wiley) will delve into some of the innovative elements behind the publication Jacaranda Key Concepts in VCE Business Management 7e, which was named Outstanding Winner at the Educational Publishing Awards Australia.
- Bethany Nevile – Campaign Manager, Hachette
- Helen Rabenda – Publisher, Wiley, and co-author of Jacaranda Key Concepts in VCE Business Management 7e
13:00-14:00 – Lunch Break
14:05-14:55 – From Data to Decisions: Insights from BookNet Canada
In an ever-changing book industry, the ability to access and use data strategically is critical for decision-making and innovation. BookNet Canada (BNC) – a not-for-profit organisation at the core of Canada’s book supply chain – plays a pivotal role in this regard. BNC collects and analyses data to empower publishers, booksellers and librarians, enhancing book promotion and sales efficiency. The organisation also leads technological advancements, sets standards and fosters educational initiatives to benefit the entire industry.
Join BNC President and CEO Lauren Stewart as she delves into the strategic use of data across the Canadian book industry. Find out how BNC’s forward-thinking approach has shaped their industry and gain insights relevant to Australia.
Lauren’s keynote will be followed by a Q&A with Cat Colwell, Head of Product and Supply Chain at the Australian Publishers Association.
15:00-15:25 – Navigating complex content in publishing
No two texts are the same, especially when publishing books that address trauma or other highly sensitive and complex topics. Join Lex Hirst, Publishing Director at Pantera Press, and Lamisse Hamouda, author of The Shape of Dust, as they delve into the concept of trauma-sensitive publishing. Lex and Lamisse will discuss some of the crucial aspects of this process, including author care and support mechanisms for publishing staff, as well as effective strategies for marketing and promotion.
- Lex Hirst – Publishing Director, Pantera Press
- Lamisse Hamouda – Author
15:30-16:15 – Supportive workplaces: How to create and sustain them
How do we create workplaces that are supportive, productive and inclusive? And how can we ensure the initiatives we put in place are sustainable? Our panel of experts in workplace initiatives and HR policy discuss how to create environments that not only attract diverse talent but also support retention. Learn from their experiences and explore what’s possible to build a thriving workplace.
- Troy Lewis – Global Director, People & Culture, Hardie Grant
- Kajal Narayan – Head of Marketing, Pantera Press
- Kate Schaffner – Director, Creative Workplaces
- Simone Wright – Chief Human Resources Officer, Victoria University and former HR leader at Pearson
- Bianca Jafari (Chair) – Sales Manager - Key Accounts and Business Development, Thames & Hudson
16:20-16:30 – Closing Remarks
16:30-18:30 – Networking Drinks at the Fringe Common Rooms
Head over to the Fringe Common Rooms (just a short five-minute walk from State Library Victoria) for drinks, canapes and great company. The BookUp networking drinks will include the announcement of the publishing industry's Rising Star award.
The Networking Drinks are sponsored by the Copyright Agency and the APA's Independent Publishers Committee.
