BookCon returns to the Javits Center in a reimagined celebration of storytelling, featuring diverse authors, genres, and bookish topics April 18th and 19th in New York City.
The Return of the Storytelling Giant: BookCon 2026 at the Javits Center
Organized by ReedPop, BookCon is a two-day celebration where storytelling and pop culture collide, built for readers, by readers. BookCon has revealed its full programming schedule for the event’s sold-out 2026 return.
BookCon programming will also include a variety of interactive sessions, including live puzzling, book trivia, and a bookish-themed mocktail-making class. There will also be how-to sessions and workshops on various subjects such as book binding, edge painting, fantasy map-making, and more.
“It has been a dream for our team to bring back BookCon and we are thrilled with how the book community has come together to help us build this incredible programming lineup full of diverse voices, genres, and perspectives,” said Jenny Martin, Event Director, BookCon. “We can’t wait to welcome everyone to the Javits Center in April for BookCon’s next chapter.”
Main Stage Spotlights: R.F. Kuang and Tomi Adeyemi’s Dark Academia
The full programming schedule drops on the heels of BookCon 2026’s Exhibitor and Indie Alley lineups, featuring a range of publishers, indie authors, book signing opportunities, and bookish merchandise for fans to explore.
Panel highlights for BookCon 2026 include:
- Game Changing TV: Celebrating Heated Rivalry
When a beloved novel heads to the screen, we hope to see its characters and moments fully realized in a way that deepens our connection to the story. In this conversation, bestselling author and consulting producer Rachel Reid and creator, director, writer, and executive producer Jacob Tierney break down the creative process behind adapting the acclaimed Crave Original series HEATED RIVALRY (now streaming on HBO Max in the U.S.), tracing its evolution from page to production and the creative decisions that helped cement the series as a cultural phenomenon. You won’t want to miss it!
Saturday, 4/18 at 11 AM, Main Stage - Spotlight on Tomi Adeyemi and Her Brand New Blockbuster Novel: THE SIREN
Join Time100, three-time instant #1 New York Times-bestselling & Hugo-award winning author Tomi Adeyemi (Children of Blood and Bone) as she discusses her genre-bending, highly anticipated new novel, The Siren: a shocking contemporary story with a dark academic flair that will leave readers breathless. This program will be moderated by Jean Feiwel, Senior Vice President and Publisher, Macmillan.
Saturday, April 18 at 11 AM, Room 408-410
- The Power of Storytelling: The Joy of Queer Escapism and a Celebration of Trans and NB Voices
For many of us, the written word was one of the first places we’ve truly seen ourselves, represented in a way that’s multi-faced, exploring our joys, triumphs, loves, challenges, and heartbreaks. For those who are trans and or gender non-binary, there is a rich literary landscape that grows ever richer from which to pull. Join notable authors Aiden Thomas, Casey McQuiston, and Kate Bornstein, as they discuss their work and the many wonderful ways it resonates with readers.
Saturday, April 18 at 11 AM, Room 1A23-24
- Spotlight on R.F. Kuang
From The Poppy War to her latest work, Katabasis, enter the world of R.F. Kuang. Whether it’s immersive fantasies, gripping historical epics, or a biting literary thriller that interrogates the industry, you’ll find something to edify and enthrall you within the pages of her books. Join best-selling author R.F. Kuang and a special guest moderator as they discuss her career, her inspirations, and what she wants to explore next in her upcoming books.
Saturday, April 18 at 12:30 PM, Main Stage
- Audible presents: NEW ACHIEVEMENT!: The Princess Posse comes to BookCon
Welcome, Crawlers. Welcome to the Dungeon. Join Matt Dinniman, the New York Times best-selling author of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, and Audible narrator Jeff Hays, the voice of Carl, Princess Donut, and all of your favorite characters. In this dynamic discussion, Dinniman and Hays will discuss the evolution of the LitRPG audiobooks that have taken the world by storm and provide an exclusive early look at A Parade of Horribles, the much-anticipated 8th installment in the series.
Saturday, April 18 at 12:45 PM, Room 1A21-22
- The Eras Tour: Fiction Across the Ages
You don’t need a time machine to explore different time periods when you have fiction. Join your guides Adriana Trigiani, Jodi Picoult, Rebecca Lehmann, and Isabel Ibanez through the ages as they talk about the settings their books explore, how these books transport readers, and the strong emotional connections created through larger-than-time characters and immersive settings.
Sunday, April 19 at 11 AM, Room 408-410
- We Tell Our Own Stories: Indigenous Authors Claiming Space and Reimagining the Future
For too long, others have tried to tell our stories—or silence them. This panel brings together Indigenous authors Rebecca Roanhorse, Darcie Little Badger, and Moniquill Blackgoose, who are claiming space in the book industry while also reshaping narratives—both past, present, and future—on their own terms. Panel curated and moderated by Paperbacks & Frybreads founder, Dominique Burleson.
Sunday, April 19 at 2 PM, Room 408-410
- Narrating Blockbuster Audiobooks
Have you ever wondered what it takes to voice a bestselling audiobook that resonates with listeners around the world? Join acclaimed narrators Julia Whelan (The Women, Atmosphere, Great Big Beautiful Life), Helen Laser (The Wedding People), Joniece Abbott-Pratt (The Marvellers, Raybearer, The Reformatory) and Rebecca Soler (Onyx Storm, Fourth Wing). Listen as they unveil the secrets of how they master the art of narration, engage listeners and adapt to the dynamic growth of the audiobook industry.
Sunday, April 19 at 2 PM, Room 1A01-02
- The Heroines of Romantasy: Crafting Strong Female Leads Finding Love and Facing Danger
You know them, you love them, you root for them throughout their journeys…now hear from the creators of some of your favorite romantasy heroines – Victoria Aveyard, Carissa Broadbent, Rachel Gillig, and Scarlett St. Clair – as they discuss crafting kick-ass leads, the obstacles these heroines face, the resulting triumphs, and the love they find along the way.
Sunday, April 19 at 2:15 PM, Main Stage
- Page to Screen
We’ve all imagined what our favorite books would look like adapted, but what’s it like for an author to see their book on the screen? Spanning genres, join bestselling authors Emily St. John (Station Eleven), Robinne Lee (The Idea of You), May Cobb (The Hunting Wives), Andy Weir (Project Hail Mary) to discuss their books and the movie and TV adaptations that followed.
Sunday, April 19 at 4 PM, Main Stage
The full 2026 programming schedule is available on the BookCon website.
The forthcoming BookCon 2026 celebration brings together fans’ favorite authors, publishers, brands, and retailers for an immersive show floor experience wholly designed with fans in mind. From intimate author chats to lively book swaps that feel like treasure hunts, ReedPop is building a celebration where every page turn will lead to another great adventure.
Book signings, book clubs, workshops, captivating panels, and crafting zones are just the start of bringing our online world into a real-world space!
Tickets for BookCon 2026 are sold out. Stay up to date on the latest BookCon news at BookCon.com and on Instagram and Facebook. Sign up for the BookCon newsletter to be alerted when 2027 tickets go on sale!
Note: The information above was sourced from a press release.
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