FutureBook Conference set for 25th November, with a focus on ‘voicing our value’

The date has been announced for FutureBook, The Bookseller’s annual conference focused on leadership and innovation. Taking place on Monday 25th November in Waterloo, London, and online, the event will feature keynotes, panels, interviews and case studies from the UK’s leading publishers, agents, retailers and authors, as well as high-profile industry outsiders, on the theme of ‘Voicing our value’. It is being co-programmed by The Bookseller’s marketing consultant Miriam Robinson and comment editor Molly Flatt. 

“Questions of value, and values, are of crucial importance to the book trade right now,” said Flatt. “In a year of political change, we have a unique chance to advocate for the huge social, cultural and economic value the industry offers the UK. But we also need to urgently interrogate everything from pricing strategies to author incomes, evolving audiobook models to new applications of AI. And as we see a rise in values-driven presses and B corps, the issue of how profit intersects with purpose needs exploring, too.”

Founded in 2010, FutureBook has become one of the biggest industry events of the year, designed to help leaders and future leaders uncover insights, achieve greater impact and tackle the most urgent issues facing the trade. Last year’s conference saw hundreds of decision-makers and rising stars gather to listen to 50+ speakers from across publishing, entertainment, tech and education, with a special focus on AI. 

“This year, as always, we will be inviting experts to discuss the most exciting technologies and trends, but we also want to dig into some fundamental drivers of success,” Robinson added. “How do we make all aspects of the book trade more financially sustainable? How can we better advocate for our impact in the wider world? And how can we do a better job of valuing the people who make our industry great? We can’t wait to get the best minds in the business together to help drive positive change.”

 “Freelancers are the worst-kept secret of the book trade’s success,” said The Bookseller’s editor Philip Jones. “From cover design to copy editing, marketing to tech, many of our best books and campaigns are supported by dozens of brilliant but rarely acknowledged experts. It’s time they were showcased and celebrated.”

Award entries close on Monday 21st October 2024 at 5pm (BST), and can be made here. For conference sponsorship opportunities, email Paul.Clifton@theBookseller.com.