The Press Release:
BookCon made its highly anticipated, sold-out return to the Javits Center in New York City on April 18 and 19, drawing 25,000 fans for a two-day celebration of storytelling and pop culture. Produced by ReedPop, the world’s largest producer of pop culture events, the reimagined event brought together readers, authors, and publishers for an immersive experience built for readers, by readers, bringing the online book community into a real-world space through intimate author chats, book swaps, and dedicated crafting zones. Throughout the weekend, attendees engaged with a dynamic lineup of programming, from bestselling and emerging author appearances to interactive panels and show floor exclusives, spotlighting the stories and fandoms shaping today’s cultural landscape.
Screen adaptations took center stage as Heated Rivalry’s Rachel Reid, the author of the Game Changers series upon which the show was based, and Jacob Tierney, the series creator and showrunner, made their first joint con appearance to discuss the show’s incredible success, the making of season one, and what fans can expect in season two. Seats filled for the “Page to Screen” panel featuring Emily St. John Mandel (Station Eleven), Robinne Lee (The Idea of You), May Cobb (The Hunting Wives), and Andy Weir (Project Hail Mary), where they discussed their books and the movie and tv adaptations that followed. Attendees got an early look at what’s next from Veronica Roth, who unveiled the latest installment in the Divergent franchise, setting the tone for a high-energy weekend. Jenny Slate joined the lineup for a candid conversation with Jason Blitman on writing through humor and heartbreak, alongside signings for her latest book. Fans heard directly from some of the industry’s biggest names, including #1 New York Times-bestselling authors Tomi Adeyemi, who previewed her upcoming novel The Siren, and R.F. Kuang, who reflected on her works spanning Katabasis to The Poppy War. Programming also spotlighted diverse voices, with sessions on Indigenous storytelling led by Rebecca Roanhorse and Moniquill Blackgoose, and a celebration of queer escapism featuring Casey McQuiston, Aiden Thomas, and Kate Bornstein.
Continue reading Organizers Offer Up BookCon 2026 Recap and Highlights
