BookCAMP DAY ONE: Split tracks:

Marketing (Track 1); Writing (Track 2)

Friday, April 24th, Focus on Experts 

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Marketing Pre-conference sessions:

1pm-4pm Opportunities to meet with experts 

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​1pm:  Turning your Backlist from storage to revenue driver

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1:45pm:  Metadata and why it matters to small presses & independent publishing
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2:30pm:  Running a small press and building a business

Challenges of Small Press / Hybrid Publishing 

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3:15pm: Streaming Channels Opportunities & National Media

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3:45pm: 90-Day Book Marketing Plan and using Artificial Intelligence

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4pm: Welcome to BookCAMP 2026

Opening remarks made by the

Printed Work Reviews' Publisher

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4:10pm Get the Most Out of the Show

Sponsored by

 

4:20pm: Marketing Strategies to sell more books; Publicity Gurus share secrets

 

4:45pm Path to create a "Bestseller"  

 

5:00pm: How to get the MEDIA and the PRESS working for you

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5:30pm Meet with the experts

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BookCAMP DAY ONE Continued:​ ​

Friday, May 2nd, Fun and Networking

 

6:00pm Wine reception / Hors d'oeuvres served

 

6:30pm-8pm Networking event

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Writing track, Pre-conference sessions:

Friday, April 24th, Focus on Experts 

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PRE-Conference:

 

1pm-4pm Opportunities to meet with experts 

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1:30pm Writing process & getting the (next) book done.

Building a Book Series. Presented by Lee Woodman

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2:30pm BREAK - Coffee/Tea and snacks served

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2:45pm Writer's Block, how to deal with it so you can get writing

Presented by Gloria Mindock

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3:30pm From the OG: An Author’s Progress:

Walls and Passages: 

Presented by David Benjamin

A “writerly” talk. In the spirit of the conference,

the OG intends to emphasize the practical

lessons that an author learns—and puts to use—

from every setback and step forward.

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4pm Welcome to BookCAMP 2026! 

Opening remarks made by the

Printed Work Reviews' Publisher

 

4:10pm Get the Most Out of the Show

Sponsored by

 

4:20pm:  Performative Readings

Intro performance from Bell Hammers

Presented by Lancelot Schaubert

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1. The difference between oral manuscripts and literary manuscripts

2. Why most literary readings are bad.

3. What theater actors, rhetoricians, and preachers know that you don’t know.

4. How to find your authentic voice

5. How to know your present audience

6. Where voice and audience meet

7. There isn’t an audience: there only one reader

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5:00pm: How to get the MEDIA and the PRESS working for you

 

5:30pm Meet with the experts

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BookCAMP DAY ONE Continued:​ ​

Friday, May 2nd, Fun and Networking

 

6:00pm Wine reception / Hors d'oeuvres served

 

6:30pm-8pm Networking event

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BookCAMP DAY TWO: Saturday,  April 25th, Focus on “Book to

Screen,” Rights, ​Social Media, Book Sales, Marketing, Publicity

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9:00am:  BookCAMP Continental Breakfast

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9:30am:  BookCAMP Exhibitor Hours open

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10:00am:  Marketing Mindset

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11am:  How do independent authors and publishers

reach librarians and independent bookstores effectively

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11:30am Nontraditional / Nonreturnable Bookselling / Big Box Stores

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Noon: Lunch

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​12:30pm:  Keynote Speaker Welcome/ State of the Industry 

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1:00pm:  "Book to Screen" (steps one can take to get their book to the movie studio)

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1:00pm:  GAB TALKS Interviews in Podcast Room

(Inc. at no charge, but sign-up required​).

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2:00pm:  Social Media

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2:30pm:  Audiobooks Creation & Marketing

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3:15pm:  Coffee Break

 

3:00pm Meet one-on-one with a personalized publishing expert

Need personalized attention?  Meet with an expert that can help your

particular publishing challenge or specific need.  Need a new book cover?

new printer? marketing? publicity? specific questions answered?, here is your chance.

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3:45pm: Reaching a Global Audience: Rights Licensing

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3:45pm Meet your fellow author

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4:00pm Marketing using Artificial Intelligence

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4:30pm Keynote Speaker

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We also recognize our worldwide authors of our award programs. 

This year we will host attendees for our

Independent Press Award / NYC Big Book Award

awards ceremony & dinner on April 25, 2026.

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A separate ticket is required:

 https://www.independentpressaward.com/awardsdinner  

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6:00pm Awards Photos & GAB TALKS on the Upper Terrace 

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7:00pm Awards Dinner & Ceremony in the Garden State Ballroom

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BookCAMP DAY THREE: Sunday,  April 26th, Meet-the-expert;

9am to noon: Meet one-on-one with a personalized publishing expert Need personalized attention?  Meet with an expert that can help your particular publishing challenge or specific need.  Need a new book cover? new printer? marketing? publicity? specific questions

answered?, here is your chance.

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BookCAMP DAY THREE: Sunday,  April 26th, Literary Book Fair ​​

9am to 1:30pm:  Award-winning books on display and for sale, as well as literary marketplace for authors, writers, publishers and industry folk.

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Register now!

Contact Ted Olczak at Ted@GabbyBookAwards.com or (718) 938-4590.

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BookCAMP 2026 is where independent authors, publishers and industry providers meet, network, learn and more. Strategies on marketing to Independent Bookstores, Librarians, Special Sales Venues or get a Literary Agent for your first or next book.

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Gain knowledge, find resources, discuss book strategies and solutions, and more.

The event is packed with informative and instructive sessions that is guaranteed to

help your publishing process along! Plus, networking opportunities!!​​​