Speakers in the 2024 Publishing Perspectives Forum include, on the top row our keynote speakers David Shelley, left, Hachette Book Group USA and Hachette UK; and Arnaud Nourry, Les Nouveaux Éditeurs. On the second row are, from left, Trip Adler, Created by Humans; Amanda D’Acierno, Penguin Random House Audio Group; Ádám Dér, Max Planck Digital Library; and Sven Fund, Reviewer Credits. On the third row are, from left, Nelleke Geel, Meridiaan Uitgevers; Lisa Janicke, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Lee Jarit, Audible; and Tom Kraushaar, Klett-Cotta. And on the fourth row are, from left, Nina von Moltke, Authors Equity; Jude Perera, Wiley; Heather Staines, Delta Think; and Jon Watt, Bonnier Books UK
By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
Events on Frankfurt Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
At this year’s 76th Frankfurter Buchmesse (October 16 to 20), our Publishing Perspectives Forum returns for a third year, and this time our programming includes our two annual Executive Talk keynotes, plus discussion and debate in audiobooks; artificial intelligence and rights; Arabic publishing and literature; issues in academic publishing; and a look at the state of independent publishing.
This year our location changes to Frankfurt Studio in Hall 4.0, just off the Agora.
All trade visitors to Frankfurt are most welcome to join us at no charge, as always. As each year, we invite you to drop in on a session you need to see even if you can’t be there right at the beginning or need to dash off for a meeting—at Frankfurt, we all understand.
Here’s our schedule of exclusive events, and we hope you’ll join us whenever you can.
Wednesday, October 16
Executive Talk
Hachette’s David Shelley
11 to 11:45 a.m. (Frankfurt Studio)
In conversation with Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief, Publishing Perspectives
It was announced on November 15 that David Shelley, then the CEO of Hachette UK, would assume a new dual role as CEO of both Hachette Book Group in the United States while retaining the role of CEO for London’s Hachette UK. The move was occasioned by Michael Pietsch’s plan to retire as the US Hachette Book Group CEO at the end of the year, Shelley assuming his new transatlantic responsibilities in January of this year.
In this exclusive conversation with Publishing Perspectives’ Porter Anderson, Shelley will discuss the new perspective he has gained as CEO of both the UK and US Hachette operations, and the kind of special insights he’s gaining in his first year in that rare transatlantic capacity.
Meeting the Demand: Audiobook Strategies
4 to 4:45 p.m. (Frankfurt Studio)
With top players at two major publishers—one in the United Kingdom and one in the United States—and with one of the world’s largest audiobook and podcast services, we explore the audio component of world publishing to assess the contours of the demand today, and explore the latest thinking on best responses to a dynamic growth point in many markets.
Speakers:
- Amanda D’Acierno, President and Publisher, Penguin Random House Audio Group
- Jon Watt, Trade Audio & Business Development Director, Bonnier Books UK
- Lee Jarit, Global Head of Publisher and Partner Relations, Audible
- Moderator: Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief of Publishing Perspectives
Thursday, October 17
When It’s ‘Created by Humans’: A New AI Rights Platform, with CEO Trip Adler
10 to 10:45 (Frankfurt Studio)
The founder and former CEO of Scribd presents his newest venture: Created by Humans. This AI licensing platform for creators and publishers is planning to eventually expand to video, music, name-and-likeness data, and even medical data.
Speakers:
- Trip Adler, co-founder and CEO, Created by Humans
- Moderator: Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief of Publishing Perspectives
Executive Talk
Arnaud Nourry
11 to 11:45 a.m. (Frankfurt Studio)
In conversation with Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief, Publishing Perspectives
The June announcement that Arnaud Nourry is forming a collective of independent publishers in Paris, Les Nouveaux Éditeurs, brought into the spotlight Nourry’s idea of “an independent, free-standing, and innovative group of publishing houses, dedicated to the service of authors, publishers, and creative talents of the French publishing industry.”
In this exclusive conversation with Publishing Perspectives’ Porter Anderson, Nourry will elaborate on his unusually structured new venture, its partners, and his expectations and plans for its progress as one of several newly constituted publishing companies helmed by former executives of Big Five houses.
Arabic Publishing and Literature Networking Reception
Sheikh Zayed Book Award and Publishing Perspectives
14:00 to 14:45 (Frankfurt Studio Pop-Up)
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award and Publishing Perspectives invite you to join us for networking in Frankfurt.
Enjoy refreshments and meet our growing community of publishers, translators, agents and other book industry experts who are interested in Arabic literature. Get to know the Sheikh Zayed Book Award team, this year’s winning titles, and translation grant opportunities.
Friday, October 18
Charleston Conference at Frankfurt” Networking Breakfast
9:30 (Hall 4.0 Academic Stage)
The day will begin with a networking breakfast, offering attendees the chance to connect with peers and industry leaders in an informal setting. This is an excellent opportunity to foster new relationships and exchange ideas before the start of the formal sessions.
Charleston Conference at Frankfurt: Putting Theory to Practice: The Case of Artificial Intelligence in Scholarly Publishing
10:00 (Hall 4.0 Academic Stage)
AI has been a key topic at every publishing conference since the beginning of 2023 at the latest. Numerous publishers and service providers are experimenting with its application in various areas, whether to reduce costs or increasingly to increase sales. The panel will use examples from differently structured publishing houses to show which solutions industry participants are working on and how they are applying the different, rapidly developing forms of artificial intelligence in practice.
- Panelists will be selected following a hack-a-thon to be held on September 10.
- Moderator: Sven Fund, Managing Director, Reviewer Credits
Charleston Conference at Frankfurt: When more means less? The unanticipated consequences of Scholcomm trends on library resourcing
11:00 (Hall 4.0 Academic Stage)
Ever feel like you are the proverbial camel–just waiting for the straw that’s going to break your back? As complexity around scholarly communications increases, trends around content access from open research to artificial intelligence clash with practical realities around library staffing, budgets, and time. One real world result may be fewer staff responsible for “keeping the lights on” with routine work processes, as dedicated Open or AI point persons are peeled off for more “glamorous” work. Another may be a seemingly endless allocation of headcount for managing open access agreements/charges or repository deposits to comply with local data mandates–what will happen when those folks retire? Can technology somehow step in to empower fewer people to do more with flat or dwindling resources? Could shared burdens around collections, pooled resources, or shared job functions be another answer? How can publishers and service providers help save the breaking backs of their library partners (as well as researchers and students) enabling them to work smarter, not harder? Join our session for a lively debate around these ever changing tides.
- Moderator: Jude Perera, Associate Director, Communication/Engagement, Global Strategic Partnerships Wiley
- Heather Staines, Senior Consultant, Delta Think
- Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe, Professor and Coordinator for Research Professional Development, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Ádám Dér, Head, Scientific Information Provision, Max Planck Digital Library
State of Independent Publishing
11:00 – 11:45 (Frankfurt Studio)
Now in its third year, the Publishing Perspectives Forum’s Independent Publishing panel will examine the current challenges and progress of small publishers working in various world markets.
Speakers:
- Tom Kraushaar, Publisher, Klett-Cotta
- Nina von Moltke, Co-Founder and President of Authors Equity
- Nelleke Geel, Co-Founding Publisher and Owner of Meridiaan Uitgevers
- Moderator: Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief, Publishing Perspectives
Join the international news medium Publishing Perspectives at our ongoing series of in-person and online events that highlight people, issues, and trends shaping the international publishing industry.
The forum debuted at the 2022 Frankfurter Buchmesse with two days of talks with industry executives, independent publishers and entrepreneurs, and people building tech platforms that power the book business.
More from Publishing Perspectives on international publishing is here, and more on international rights and licensing is here.