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Review of The Annual Irish Publishers Conference Trade Day 2024, Future Now!

The Annual Irish Publishers Conference Trade Day 2024, held at Dublin Castle in conjunction with the Dublin Book Festival, established itself as the premier event for publishers in Ireland.

This year, we expanded the conference by introducing one-on-one workshops in Copyright, Accessibility, and Audiobooks exclusively for our Publishing Ireland members. We proudly recorded a milestone attendance of 200 participants and secured the vital support of 16 dedicated sponsors, making this event a resounding success.

Grainne O`Toole, Skein Press.

Throughout the day, industry experts delivered invaluable insights and engaged in discussions on the latest trends shaping the publishing landscape. Key topics included the impact of Artificial Intelligence in Publishing, presented by Sara Lloyd Pan Macmillan, EDI with Grainne O`Toole Skin Press, Sustainability with Karina Stevens from Nosy Crow, and a critical panel discussion on the new European Accessibility Act with Lina Kouzi NCBI, Stacy Scott, Taylor and Francis Publishing, Will Awad, iAccessDigital and Simon Mellins, Simon Mellins Consulting.

The annual Irish Market BookScan report, expertly created by Sara Mulryan at Nielsen BookData, is a definitive source of industry insights. Jim Power delivered a compelling presentation on the results of a market survey commissioned by Publishing Ireland, which was centred on Irish publishers.

This year, students in the MA in Literature and Publishing had the opportunity to meet with recent graduates now working full-time in the publishing industry in Ireland. The meeting was led by Isabel Dwyer from Publishing Ireland, Orla Carr from Little Island, and Joyce Dignam from Penguin Random House Ireland. The group shared their experiences of transitioning into the publishing field after graduation, creating a valuable networking opportunity for graduates to connect with the new generation of publishers in Ireland.

MA in Publishing and Literature Students Lunch Time networking session Annual Irish Publishers Conference 2024, Future Now ! Dublin Castle.

Networking opportunities were abundant during tea and coffee breaks and the sponsored lunch, allowing delegates to connect meaningfully with one another. Each attendee left with a complimentary goody bag featuring a bespoke Publishing Ireland journal/notebook, further enhancing their experience at this exceptional event.

The day wrapped up with a successful Irish Books for Screen event featuring 12 publishers presenting their titles to over 40 movie industry professionals. With directors, producers, and screenwriters in attendance, there is a clear demand for diverse fiction and nonfiction stories. The film industry actively seeks fresh narratives, making this an exceptional opportunity for all involved.

We appreciate all the publishers who attended, as well as our speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors. Your participation made the day a tremendous success.

Check out our Gallery of images from the day, Click Here

Work has begun on our 2025 conference so watch this space!!

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Programme Speakers Sponsors Exhibitors Tickets

Annual Irish Publishers Conference 2024: Review by Catherine Hickey, MA in Literature & Publishing Student

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Annual Irish Publishers Conference Trade Day 2024 – Final

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Tickets

Tickets for the 2024 conference are now on sale via Eventbrite.



Speakers – Annual Irish Publishers Conference 2024

Sara Lloyd, Group Communications Director and Global AI Lead at Pan Macmillan

"Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Publishing"
Our Keynote Speaker Sara Lloyd is the Group Communications Director and Global AI Lead at Pan Macmillan. In addition to leading the company’s communications group and strategy, she is responsible for developing the trade group’s AI approach globally, spearheading its strategic direction, informing and engaging both internal and external stakeholders, developing principles and policies concerning AI use, leading on AI safety and ethics and facilitating a culture of innovation and change. 

Karina Stevens, Production Director for Nosy Crow

"Doing the Right Thing: Nosy Crow’s Sustainability Journey"
Currently the Production Director for Nosy Crow, Karina has worked in the publishing industry for many years with a wide and diverse range of publishers including Penguin Books, Pan Macmillan, Bonnier Books UK and Little Tiger Press amongst others. At the Annual Irish Publishers Conference 2024, Karina is our keynote speaker on Sustainability: 'Doing the Right Thing: Nosy Crow’s Sustainability Journey'.

Gráinne O’Toole, Director at Skein Press

"Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is not an add on"
Gráinne O’Toole is a director at Skein Press and has a background in community development, social policy and human rights law. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from University College Dublin. In 2018 Gráinne cofounded Skein Press to amplify the voices of writers not often featured in Irish literature and publishing so that the richness of our culture can be shared and understood. At our conference this year Grainne's talk is titled "Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is not an add on"

Simon Mellins, Independant Consultant E-Publishing

Panel 'The European Accessibility Act: Is Your Organisation Compliant?'
With more than 15 years of experience in publishing, Simon is an expert in accessibility with a focus on digital publishing. He has a deep understanding of accessibility technologies and a proven track record of leading accessibility initiatives at Penguin Random House UK. Additionally, he provides strategic consulting, training, and product development services. Simon is actively involved in promoting accessibility within the publishing industry through various committees and groups. At the upcoming Irish Publishers Conference in 2024, Simon will be participating in our accessibility panel. He will also be available to provide expert advice in a 1:1 clinic for our members regarding their accessibility journey.

Stacy Scott, Head of Accessibility at Taylor & Francis Publishing

Panel 'The European Accessibility Act: Is Your Organisation Compliant?'

Stacy Scott is the Accessibility Lead at Taylor & Francis Publishing. In this role, she leads a business-wide strategy on the accessibility of the company's digital offerings, including content, platforms, and marketing communications. She also serves as the Chair of the Publishing Accessibility Action Group, which aims to bring publishers, vendors, stakeholders, and end users together to remove barriers to accessing published materials. As a blind Mathematics graduate, Stacy has both personal experience and professional insight into the challenges faced by learners with disabilities or conditions, particularly in education.

Lina Kouzi, Head of Library Access Services at Vision Ireland

Panel 'The European Accessibility Act: Is Your Organisation Compliant?'
Lina is the Head of Library Access Services at Vision Ireland, overseeing the Bookshare Ireland accessible digital Library service with over 1.3 million titles. She negotiates agreements with national and international publishers to make titles accessible through the Bookshare platform. Membership is open to individuals with print disabilities. Lina also manages the Media Conversion Centre, producing Braille and audio documents for government departments and utility companies, while also providing training to the Pharmaceutical Industry in the production of Braille on pharmaceutical packaging. At our Annual Irish Publishers Conference 2024 (Friday 8th November in Dublin Castle), Lina will be participating in our accessibility panel: 'The European Accessibility Act: Is Your Organisation Compliant?'

Will Awad – Director – iAccessDigital

Panel 'The European Accessibility Act: Is Your Organisation Compliant?'
Will is a digital accessibility expert and experienced publishing professional with a background in the academic publishing, information technology and publishing services industries. He has in-depth expertise of, and advised on, digital accessibility compliance (per W3C/WCAG guidelines) for organisations of many types and market sectors. He has overseen access audits as well as remediation projects for digital documents (i.e., EPUBs and PDFs), ensuring they meet the legal requirements of both the US Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and PDF/UA.
He is recognised as a thought leader in the industry, and has spoken at numerous conferences, industry events, and webinars. These include the Access High Ground conference in Denver USA, addressing the “Certified Accessible eBook ecosystem from vendor to publisher to student”, and the Association of University Presses virtual event in 2023 on “Extending our reach: How making our books accessible makes them equitable”. Will also holds a master’s degree focused on international law.

Sarah Mulryan, Nielsen BookScan

Nielsen Bookdata
Sara Mulryan has spent the last 25 years working in the UK book trade. She works with all types and sizes of retailers and libraries, collecting and analysing book sales through the UK & Irish retailer panels and public library borrowing data through the LibScan panel. After graduating from Middlesex University with a degree in Writing and Publishing, Sara started her career at Hatchard’s, managing the front of shop and fiction buying. She then worked in sales positions at Headline and Orion, before joining the Nielsen BookScan team.

Jim Power Economics

MARKET ANALYSIS OF PUBLISHING IN IRELAND
Jim Power is one of Ireland’s leading and best-known economic analysts. Jim has a wealth of experience in delivering insightful economic analysis, forecasts and commentary to both Irish and international audiences. He writes regularly for national newspapers and is a regular contributor to radio and TV debates and discussions, and podcasts such as The Stand and Win Happy.   Survey Commissioned by Publishing Ireland Results MARKET ANALYSIS OF PUBLISHING IN IRELAND with Jim Power

Sponsors

With thanks to our sponsors

Exhibitors

Full List of Exhibitors at this year’s Annual Irish Publishers Conference, ‘Future, Now’

CLÉ CUIDEACHTA FAOI THEORAINN RÁTHAÍOCHTA,
t/a Publishing Ireland

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Co. Dublin,
Ireland.

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