ALA Annual Conference 2026 Wrap Up

Key Takeaways for Publisher Strategy and Community Engagement

The American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference remains a cornerstone event for the publishing ecosystem. Drawing nearly 15,000 total attendees this year, the show floor provided a vital barometer for current library needs and emerging digital discovery trends.

For the NetGalley team, our time in the exhibit hall offered direct, face-to-face feedback from a cross-section of library professionals, ranging from academic researchers to school and public library directors.

“Connecting with the library community at ALA Annual is always a highlight, but this year felt especially critical,” says Tarah Theoret, Vice President of Community Growth & Engagement at NetGalley. “Librarians are navigating tighter budgets and shifting industry dynamics, and they need reliable digital tools to work efficiently. Our goal is to ensure NetGalley remains the trusted ecosystem supporting their daily workflows and connecting their local communities with books.”

Looking back at those conversations, a few clear trends stand out that can help publishers shape their marketing and galley strategies for the year ahead.

1. Digital Galleys are Essential for Budget-Strapped Libraries

As shifts in the industry make physical advance review copies (ARCs) more exclusive or difficult to obtain, library workers are increasingly relying on digital review copies (DRCs) to sustain their pipelines. Librarians emphasized that NetGalley has evolved from a supplemental discovery platform into an essential tool for collection development and fiscally responsible purchasing decisions.

“…I use [my NetGalley account] as a resource for purchasing printed materials… My community is well-read; therefore, I discuss with my Cataloguer and Acquisitions Manager at length the materials we purchase on a limited budget.”

— Shelia Harris, Director, Enterprise Public Library

The Publisher Takeaway: Ensuring your upcoming titles are listed on NetGalley well ahead of publication doesn’t just drive consumer buzz—it directly influences institutional purchasing behaviors during crucial budget cycles, and allows you to easily pitch for industry reviews in outlets like School Library Journal.

2. Bridging the Gap Between Professional Discovery and Patron Engagement

One of the most enthusiastic responses at our booth centered on resources that extend beyond individual professionals to their wider communities. Librarians immediately noted that specialized assets like NetGalley’s Book Club Kits are natural fits for their local programming.

Furthermore, librarians were thrilled that they could share Booktrovert.com, our reader-facing platform, with their patrons to combat summer reading slumps via daily literary games and ebook giveaways. In fact, some institutions have already integrated Booktrovert directly onto their public-facing websites to expand patron discovery options.

3. Driving Professional Workflows and Industry Recognition

Conversations on the floor highlighted just how deeply integrated NetGalley remains within influential, high-level library workflows. We connected with power-users from major institutions, including program specialists at the Library of Congress who noted widespread internal reliance on the platform, and academic reference librarians who utilize NetGalley to evaluate titles for major industry distinctions, such as the LibraryReads list, the Newbery Awards, and the newly formed ALA Outstanding Comics Awards.

School librarians also detailed how they rely heavily on NetGalley to coordinate and fuel curriculum-based book spotlights across entire school districts. This level of engagement reinforces NetGalley’s position as a foundational workflow hub for the gatekeepers, award committees, and tastemakers of the library world.

Looking Ahead

The library market remains a powerful, driving catalyst for organic book discovery, high-stakes industry recognition, and long-term institutional sales. The insights gathered from our time at ALA Annual reinforce that when publishers make their titles accessible to library professionals, they are positioning their books directly in front of the industry’s most influential tastemakers.

Moving forward, NetGalley and Booktrovert will continue to leverage these insights to optimize how we support both sides of the aisle. For our publisher clients, this means continuing to refine account verification workflows (such as validating professional ALA ID credentials) to ensure your digital review copies are consistently reaching verified library buyers and committee voters. For the broader reading community, we are excited to expand our consumer engagement strategies, making it easier than ever for libraries to seamlessly connect their patrons with the books they love.

Thank you to everyone who visited us in the booth. We are already looking forward to expanding our presence, deepening our vital industry collaborations, and bringing even more impactful engagement to ALA Annual 2027!

*Tarah Theoret, Sidney Thompson, and Darcy Piedmonte at ALA Annual, 2026*

IBPA Publishing University Wrap-Up 2026

The NetGalley team recently returned from an energising weekend in Portland, Oregon, where we attended the Independent Book Publishers Association’s 2026 Publishing University, along with over 400 indie publishers and exhibitors. We came back with full notebooks, new connections, and a whole lot to think about!

Getting the Conversation Started

We kicked things off at the pre-event Think Tank, which set a great tone for the days ahead. The format was simple but effective: questions were posed to a rotating cast of industry voices, including Victoria Sutherland of Forward Books, Brad Farmer of Gibbs-Smith, and Matthew Mansfield of Nielsen IQ Book Data. Those same questions were then turned loose on the room to encourage conversation and peer learning. It broke through the typical conference stiffness fast, and by the time breakout groups formed, people were already mid-conversation.

Marketing Insights Worth Bookmarking

Two Sales and Marketing breakout sessions during the Think Tank discussed a wide array of challenges and solutions. The biggest takeaway is that indie publishers are nimble. They know how to market and sell to niche, hyper-focused communities and reach broader audiences. A few highlights: podcasts are most effective when longer episodes are broken into shorter, promotable segments; Threads is the social platform to pay attention to right now; and the group had a frank conversation about galley ethics, touching on both the environmental cost of print galleys and the growing problem of galleys being resold online.

Notes from the NetGalley Booth

Day 2 of the event reminded us of one of the best parts of in-person industry events: spontaneous conversations. In fact, our team was so busy connecting with attendees at the NetGalley and Booktrovert booth that we missed the morning welcome and keynote entirely (but we loved Publishers Weekly’s recap here). There’s no better problem to have than too many good conversations! Throughout the conference, we loved meeting publishers, authors, and publishing students face-to-face and hearing about the creative ways they’re building buzz for their books.

From SEO to GEO

On Day 2, we attended a breakout by Sarah Bean of Booklaunchers titled A Post-Funnel Approach to Book Marketing, a session that dovetailed nicely with our own panel at this year’s London Book Fair on metadata, search engine optimization, and generative engine optimization. Sarah made a compelling case that AI has fundamentally changed how readers discover books, but that traditional marketing tactics (like press releases — a forgotten relic for many in the room!) still work, with some tweaks. She outlined how traditional SEO aims to land an author or publisher’s website on the first page of a Google search, and pull readers into their sales funnel. GEO shifts the goal entirely: instead of capturing clicks, the aim is for a book or author to become the trusted source that AI tools surface and cite directly. It’s a meaningful evolution in thinking, and one the industry is only beginning to grapple with.

Tapping Into Fandom

Day 3’s keynote zeroed in on the booming comic, graphic novel, and manga markets, and the fierce, devoted communities driving them. Creator Matt Braley and a panel including representatives from Tokyopop, Mad Cave, and Dark Horse Comics hammered home that fandom isn’t just an audience, it’s a responsibility. Every element of a graphic narrative, all the way down to the spine art, is simultaneously a commercial product and a work of art, and publishers have to honor both.

For indie publishers eyeing this space, the panel boiled it down to four honest questions: Do you have secure IP access? Can you commit to a long-running series? Do you know how to reach highly connected fan communities? And can your cash flow sustain the longer road to ROI?

Until Next Year, In Baltimore! 👋

Publishing University was, as always, a reminder of how much energy and creativity this industry runs on. We loved every conversation we had at our booth, in the breakout rooms, and in the hallways in between. See you next year!

London Book Fair Wrap-Up 2026

It was with a mixture of nostalgia and anticipation that the publishing world met at Olympia for the last London Book Fair before its move to ExCel in 2027. Described by some in the media as “high energy” and “really busy”, despite the absence of a number of Middle East based companies, it certainly felt that way for NetGalley. Here are our takeaways:

The book world is cautiously upbeat…

Despite economic pressures, the fair felt energised. Publishers, agents, and booksellers reported steady deal‑making, but to me, it was more the sense of people being relaxed with one another, smiling in the sunshine. Kathleen Farrar, managing director of sales and marketing at Bloomsbury said that “books are a place where people have refuge”, against a “scary” global landscape and that sentiment I think you could see all over the fair.

But the reading ‘crisis’ needs addressing

The UK’s National Year of Reading was woven through the entire fair, with literacy charities and publishers stressing that declining reading rates pose a bigger long‑term threat than AI. Pan Macmillan CEO Joanna Prior warned that the industry must treat reading engagement as a structural priority, not a marketing campaign. It will be interesting to see whether this is something that is still at the forefront next year.

AI can still draw a crowd

Outside of our meetings, the highlight of the fair for me was the brilliant Firebrand Group panel: How Metadata, SEO and GEO Can Help Sell More Books Worldwide. Joshua Tallent (Firebrand Technologies), Kristina Radke (NetGalley), Sarah Arbuthnot (Supadu), and moderated by Mary McAveney, CEO of Abrams, talked to a standing-room only International Stage and gave an absolutely fascinating and informative discussion. You can watch it here. Plus, take a look at the one-sheet attendees received during this talk, with articles from Firebrand Technologies, NetGalley, and Supadu on this topic!

Click to watch the panel:

Mary McAveney, CEO of Abrams, with the Firebrand Group: Joshua Tallent (Director of Sales & Education, Firebrand Technologies), Sarah Arbuthnot (President, Supadu), and Kristina Radke (SVP, Business Growth & Engagement)

As at the IPG Conference (our wrap-up here), the conversation around AI has subtly shifted from existential fear to practical integration: rights management, workflow automation, and ethical boundaries. It underscores the fact that we are still learning as an industry where we are headed.

The conversation around AI has subtly shifted from existential fear to practical integration: rights management, workflow automation, and ethical boundaries.

And rights are increasingly a battleground

The big Rights news of the fair was Bonnie “Lessons in Chemistry” Garmus moving from PRH to Bonnier. Any massive move like this is likely to cause gossip, but it was the reason for the switch that had people talking. Tom Weldon, CEO of PRH UK, refused to purchase the new book as the author’s agents had already sold exclusive English-Language rights to the German publisher. This he considered to be a red line. Increasingly, UK and US publishers are hugely improving their revenues with their English-Language edition being sold into countries with a high density of (usually young) readers who want to read in English. This is one to watch!

Nonfiction is far from a spent force

Despite talk of fiction’s dominance, nonfiction is proving to be resilient, and there were strong showings in this genre in the rights centre. Narrative nonfiction, wellness, and politics/current affairs were the subjects gaining the most amount of traction.

Leaving Olympia is bittersweet

It’s cold when it’s cold and steaming when it’s hot; you can do a deal in the time it takes to get to the front of the queue for coffee (this actually happened). The WiFi is appalling; the bag search can take an eternity, but I couldn’t help but feel a touch of sadness leaving the Fair for the last time. We’ve had a lot of good times there, and it will be missed. As will our annual dinner at Ffiona’s Restaurant. But onwards and upwards. We can’t wait for 2027 at ExCel.

*Members of the Firebrand Technologies and NetGalley teams: Rob Stevens, Kristina Radke, Angela Bole, Sidney Thompson, Joshua Tallent, & Stuart Evers.*

ABA Winter Institute Wrap-Up 2026

The 21st annual ABA Winter Institute (Wi2026), held in Pittsburgh from February 23–26, 2026, served as an essential gathering for a literary community navigating both creative celebrations and sociopolitical turbulence. Against the backdrop of the “City of Bridges,” nearly 1,000 attendees addressed the industry’s most pressing questions, from the rise of AI to the defense of free expression.

The Bookseller Perspective: Resilience and Resistance

For booksellers, the atmosphere was a blend of professional development and concern for health and safety in bookselling. While keynotes from icons like LeVar Burton provided inspiration and relevance, the educational tracks shifted toward necessary cultural tools for survival. Sessions like “Bookstores in the Time of Fascism” reflected a new reality where shops face book bans and threats of violence.

The Publisher Perspective: Strategy and Representation

Publishers came to Wi26 to launch their most important books of the year. The “Past Is Alive” panel featured heavyweights like Colson Whitehead and Min Jin Lee, signaling a major industry bet on deeply researched historical fiction. For publishing professionals, the goal was to reinforce the supply chain and marketing support for independent stores, which remain the industry’s most vital “handsellers” in an increasingly automated world.

The Vendor Perspective: Systems and Sustainability

For the technology and bookstore merchandise vendors on the floor, Wi2026 was about providing the solutions to the challenges discussed in the main halls.

NetGalley occupied its now-essential role as the digital bridge between publishers’ marketing goals and booksellers’ curation needs.

One of NetGalley’s most critical functions for the ABA community remains the Indie Next List nomination process. NetGalley emphasized that booksellers who link their ABA store number to their profile receive higher “priority” in the publisher’s request queue.

NetGalley continues to power the ABA’s Digital Box Newsletter, a curated, monthly “white-glove” service where select publishers offer pre-approved digital access to high-priority titles, ensuring indie booksellers have early access to priority books and time to both nominate these titles and make buying decisions.

In a time where carbon footprint is of paramount importance, NetGalley continued to position itself as the sustainable alternative to the “Galley Room” excess. Our platform is an easy way to expand access to review copies using QR Code displays, and reduce the monetary and environmental costs of physical books. Our all-digital option allows attendees to instantly add titles to their digital shelves, saving on shipping costs and paper waste—a major talking point for the environmentally-conscious Pittsburgh cohort.

Reflecting a 25% year-over-year increase in member interest in audio, NetGalley’s 2026 role is also to promote audiobooks. The NetGalley Shelf app meets booksellers where they are, allowing them to move expediently through their TBR list.

Winter Institute remains the best opportunity for ABA booksellers, publishers and the partners who serve the industry to come together in a shared space. With challenges to free speech, book bans, and bookstores on the front lines of culture and community, Wi created a supportive and deeply informative environment.

Darcy Piedmonte (Director, Customer Acquisition & Success) and Tarah Theoret (Vice President, Community Growth & Engagement) at the NetGalley table during ABA Midwinter 2026

A More Sustainable (and Affordable) Strategy for Event-Ready Marketing

As publishers look for ways to tighten conference budgets while also prioritizing sustainability, NetGalley and Booktrovert offer solutions. With smart, streamlined alternatives to traditional print giveaways, we have the tools and data to measure success. Taking your digital catalog to industry events is practical, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and surprisingly simple.

Increasingly, teams are rethinking stacks of ARCs that require weeks of printing, expensive shipping costs, and a gamble on estimated demand. Digital access can replace or supplement physical galleys, ensuring that every interested attendee walks away with a way to read your book, even if your last print copy has already left the booth. Here’s how!

Bringing NetGalley to Trade Conferences & Consumer Conventions

How to Share NetGalley on the Show Floor

A simple printed QR code can sit beside your remaining ARCs or replace them entirely. Scanning the QR code can send attendees to:

Request
Read Now
A Widget Link

The CTA you choose depends on your goals, and you should also consider the type of event. For example:

At a trade conference like Winter Institute, where booksellers are the primary audience, a Widget Link gives these attendees instant access, a benefit when you need the broadest reach exclusive to attendees of the event.
At consumer-facing shows like BookCon, use Booktrovert instead to offer a public, large-scale digital giveaway or sweepstakes instead (more on that below).

TIP: While some publishers link to a single priority title, you could also point attendees to your NetGalley Publisher Profile to showcase your full catalog. Or, if you want a single hub for multiple links, a LinkTree QR code works beautifully. When using Booktrovert, consider a multi-book campaign to promote up to 10 titles all on one landing page.

Post-Event Follow Up

A digital approach is perfect for after-event follow-up. If you’re scanning badges or gathering business cards while meeting librarians, booksellers, or reviewers at the booth, follow up after the show with a NetGalley widget. It’s an easy, professional way to ensure attendees can immediately dive into your digital review copy (DRC) or advanced listening copies (ALCs)!

TIP: Make NetGalley part of your booth design! Postcards, bookmarks, and other creative handouts are perfect to customize with your logo, cover art, and a QR code. Download a template here.

Bringing Booktrovert to Consumer Events

Where NetGalley shines for industry outreach, Booktrovert is tailor-made for consumer shows— especially high-demand events like BookCon, where print copies disappear fast and shipping budgets disappear faster.

With Booktrovert, you can set up:

Limited-Time digital giveaways (claim a copy), or
Limited-Quantity sweepstakes (enter to win)

…all created and scheduled from within your existing NetGalley account. It takes only a few minutes to set up, and can be finalized 24 hours before your campaign launches.

REAL LIFE EXAMPLE: Ashey Kronsberg at Boom! Studios launched a Booktrovert campaign to reach New York ComicCon attendees with a combination of outreach to their own newsletter mailing list and a QR code at the show to help direct traffic.

As Ashley told us, digital tactics are “becoming more of a need when it comes to B2B shows as not all retailers/librarians can bring physical copies back with them; so I anticipate it will become more unique for consumers as well.” This is where Booktrovert can fill in the gaps!

Built-In Event Insights

With Booktrovert’s Detailed Analytics, you’ll be able to use the email addresses of everyone who entered your Sweepstakes or Giveaway to make post-event follow-up both thoughtful and targeted since they are already opted-in to hear from you. It’s an efficient way to keep the momentum going long after the event ends.

Plus, learn more about demographics and who your book appeals most to, giving you actionable data to put more informed strategy behind your marketing tactics.

Why Digital Makes Sense

Beyond convenience, bringing NetGalley and Booktrovert to events significantly reduces printing and shipping waste, making your conference presence more sustainable. It also lowers costs: no unexpected shipping charges, no last-minute reprints, no guessing how many copies to bring. Instead, every attendee can reliably access your titles in a format that’s immediate, accessible, and aligned with their reading preferences.

Digital doesn’t necessarily need to replace print copies, but it does complement it in powerful ways, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to connect a reader with a book.

If you’d like help planning your strategy for an upcoming conference, or want support choosing links, QR code destinations, or Booktrovert campaign options, we’re here to help.

London Book Fair Wrap-Up 2025

The London Book Fair 2025 was busy – both for NetGalley and for the book trade in general. Publishing Perspectives reports around 300,000 attendees and a 10% increase in activity in the International Rights center. It was certainly noticeable how busy all the halls at Olympia were, especially on the first two days of the fair. It felt like old times, even as we ushered in the new with our Firebrand Group stand moving to a bigger, better and more spacious area.

With more room in our stand, we were able to conduct even more meetings than usual and make the most of our whole Firebrand Group – NetGalley, Firebrand Technologies, Supadu, and Media Do International – being in the same place at the same time.

*Clients & colleagues of the Firebrand Group at London Book Fair*

While there are uncertainties out there for global publishing, this year’s theme, “Defining the Future of Creative Content”, hinted at the number of conversations surrounding AI. There was an energy and a spark across the fair as businesses weighed the threats and opportunities throughout the industry.

The announcement of Booktrovert – a brand new, standalone consumer marketing platform powered by NetGalley – was timed to coincide with the fair. Booktrovert will be launched in Q2 2025, as a destination website where readers can celebrate their love of books by participating in digital giveaways, special promotions, and fun bookish activities. Publishers and authors looking to reach U.S. readers will be able to start scheduling campaigns very soon!

Aside from the meetings and the long queues for coffee, London Book Fair is all about connections. The opportunity to discuss ideas in person with both clients and colleagues is always a pleasure. The energy of this year’s London Book Fair was welcome to see, and promises much for the rest of the year!