FutureBook issues call for publishing utopias

FutureBook is asking the trade to imagine its publishing utopia with five-minute video submissions to be shown at the FutureBook Conference on 21st November. From bookselling to agenting, sustainability to inclusion, the call is out for positive, provocative ideas for how the industry should reset after the pandemic.

Ten videos will be selected and will be shown in full at the conference, which will take place on 19th November. Speakers may tackle any area of the book business they wish, with ideas to be drawn up into a FutureBook manifesto that will be published in The Bookseller and continue to inform the debate about the business after the event concludes. The idea came out of a conversation with Black Agents and Editors' founder Marianne Tatepo who saw it as an opportunity to build on The Bookseller's Black Issue, which presented the trade with a 15-point manifesto for change across the sector.

Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller, said: "The book business is now at the centre of hugely interesting and important conversation that is interrogating all aspects of the business and asking serious questions about its future. FutureBook will seek to harness this energy into a vision of the future that builds on the best of the business with a people-first set of commitments that make sure the reset is a proper hard refresh. We look forward to seeing the results."

Publishing utopians may upload their five-minute videos here, with a deadline of 1st November. Ten videos will be shown at the conference, including online, with creators offered a ticket for the full day - in person or digitally.

Delegates for FutureBook 21 may attend the event in person or online, with the event focused on how publishing moves on after the coronavirus pandemic. Other speakers at the event include Penguin Random House chief executive Markus Dohle, author and social content creator Toni Tone, the founder of lifestyle brand OWNIT! Crystal Mahey-Morgan, and Jamie Byng, chief executive and publisher of Canongate Books, founder of World Book Night and creator of Letters Live.

A strictly limited 350 tickets are now available in addition to a range of options for individuals and companies wishing to attend virtually. Already announced as speakers are environmental campaigner Mark Maslin, editor and writer Roxane Gay, Kobo c.e.o. Michael Tamblyn, director of sustainability at Springer Nature Thea Sherer, academic John B Thompson and Chiki Sarkar, founder and publisher at India's digital publisher Juggernaut Books.

For more details and to book tickets, visit the website, or for sponsorship and group deals contact Emma.Lowe@theBookseller.com.