BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
X-WR-CALNAME:tbr2027
X-WR-CALDESC:Event Calendar
METHOD:PUBLISH
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
PRODID:-//Sched.com TBR 2027//EN
X-WR-TIMEZONE:UTC
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T130000Z
DTEND:20270116T140000Z
SUMMARY:Registration Opens
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:FOR EVERYONE
LOCATION:1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:496b6ea7dd76042a8bf65a5fa131d409
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/496b6ea7dd76042a8bf65a5fa131d409
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T140000Z
DTEND:20270116T150000Z
SUMMARY:Law and Order: POV
DESCRIPTION:If you've ever felt handcuffed by point of view\, penned in by perspective\, or been caught red-handed in workshop for a POV slip\, this talk will try to bust you out of POV jail. Taking our cue from Oscar Wilde ("Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative") we'll consider weird and wonderful povs (2nd person\, first person plural)\, multiple povs and the benefits of shifting povs. Dun-Dun!
CATEGORIES:TRACK 1: DEEP CRAFT
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:75bcf36192426b8ab8dc23799224d1a9
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/75bcf36192426b8ab8dc23799224d1a9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T140000Z
DTEND:20270116T150000Z
SUMMARY:Paths to Publishing: Which Is Right For You?
DESCRIPTION:Traditional\, independent\, hybrid\, small press — there's no single "right" way to publish a book anymore\, just the right way for you. This session breaks down the major paths to publication\, what each one actually involves (timelines\, costs\, creative control\, royalties\, and reach)\, and the trade-offs writers often don't realize they're making until they're deep into it. Whether you're weighing your first book deal or reconsidering your approach after one path didn't pan out\, you'll leave with a clearer framework for choosing the route that fits your goals\, your genre\, and your life.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 2: PRE-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:6ea4e853c16665bfa56c2154ff8555ab
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/6ea4e853c16665bfa56c2154ff8555ab
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T140000Z
DTEND:20270116T150000Z
SUMMARY:Bookseller Tell-All
DESCRIPTION:Booksellers see it all — what actually moves books off shelves\, what authors get wrong about events\, and what really makes a bookstore relationship work. This candid panel pulls back the curtain from behind the register: how books get chosen for staff picks and displays\, what makes an author event successful (or not)\, how indie stores decide what to stock and hand-sell\, and what authors can do to build genuine relationships with their local bookstores. Come hear the truths booksellers don't usually say out loud.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 3: THE BOOK ECOSYSTEM
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4ccf524a6018513a42a6b9773308e504
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/4ccf524a6018513a42a6b9773308e504
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T140000Z
DTEND:20270116T150000Z
SUMMARY:Leveling Up: Opportunities & Issues Faced by Mid-Career Authors
DESCRIPTION:This session tackles what it means to level up in your career beyond your first book. We'll discuss how to strategize for your next stage-- whether that means changing genres or categories\, renegotiating with your publisher or switching houses\, building new income streams\, or repositioning yourself in the market entirely. We'll also discuss what comes after the debut buzz fades: advances that might flatten instead of grow\, the pressure to replicate past success\, what happens when a book underperforms\, and staying visible in a market obsessed with what's new. Whether you're several books in and looking to break through a plateau\, or watching peers navigate these waters\, you'll leave with a clearer\, more honest picture of what "established" really means — and a real strategy for building the career you actually want.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 4: POST-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:61e2dbf4d467ce164e0c0c7095c2bfe6
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/61e2dbf4d467ce164e0c0c7095c2bfe6
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T140000Z
DTEND:20270116T150000Z
SUMMARY:Zigman Freud Will See You Now: 12 Tips to Surviving and Thriving as a Writer That Have (Almost) Nothing to Do With Craft
DESCRIPTION:Writing is an art\, but sustaining a writing life is another challenge. Laura Zigman shares twelve hard-won lessons on overcoming self-doubt\, redefining success\, and staying inspired—even when the words won’t come.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 5: BIG PICTURE
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9d8a237eb05890b882b77946af317277
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/9d8a237eb05890b882b77946af317277
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T140000Z
DTEND:20270116T150000Z
SUMMARY:Script Curious: How Book Writers Can Beat Their Own Path into Screenwriting
DESCRIPTION:For any writer curious to try screenwriting\, this talk will give students the basics to get rolling. Elizabeth will describe how she’s made the shift from ‘strictly fiction’ into writing scripts as well\, including a feature film\, short films and a rock opera. She’ll survey popular screenwriting templates while also showing students how they don’t have to follow the prescribed ‘beats’. And she’ll include some brief brainstorming exercises to get students picturing their stories onscreen.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 6: GRAB BAG
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e550ece0eb429de99130a3a695a78f2c
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/e550ece0eb429de99130a3a695a78f2c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T151500Z
DTEND:20270116T161500Z
SUMMARY:Beyond Memory: Mining the Past for Your Memoir
DESCRIPTION:A memoir built only from memory can only go so far— the richest ones often draw on far more. This session brings real reporting skills to the memoir-writing process: how to research your own past the way you'd research a story\, ask the right questions of family members (even difficult ones)\, and track down old letters\, photos\, and records that memory alone can't provide. We'll discuss how to draw on documents\, interviews\, and resources alongside your own recollections\, and how to shape found material into a narrative. How do you cross-check memory against fact\, and how do you know when to trust what you remember versus when to dig deeper? You'll leave with a journalist's toolkit for building a memoir that goes beyond simply recounting the past to investigating it.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 1: DEEP CRAFT
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9019a5adc2d581f74ad12702a4f7487e
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/9019a5adc2d581f74ad12702a4f7487e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T151500Z
DTEND:20270116T161500Z
SUMMARY:The Hook (and Other Things Writers Need to Know About What Gets an Agent's Attention)
DESCRIPTION:Agents read hundreds of queries a week-- so what actually makes one stop scrolling? This session breaks down the mechanics of a strong hook: how to open a query (and your manuscript) with the tension\, voice\, or premise that signals a book worth reading\, common mistakes that get a query passed over in seconds\, and what agents are really looking for beyond a clever first line. Beyond the hook itself\, we'll cover the other elements of a submission that catch an agent's eye— comp titles\, bio\, sample pages— and how they work together to make a case for your book. Come for a sharper\, more strategic sense of what actually gets an agent to say yes.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 2: PRE-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:212d46efe4ea9e7dbecbcf59c3502e86
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/212d46efe4ea9e7dbecbcf59c3502e86
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T151500Z
DTEND:20270116T161500Z
SUMMARY:Small Press\, Big Opportunity: The Unique Potential for Authors in Small Publishers
DESCRIPTION:Small presses don't have the marketing budgets or name recognition of the Big Five — but they often have something just as valuable: creative control\, closer relationships\, and a willingness to take chances on books that don't fit a neat commercial mold. This session explores what small presses can actually offer authors — from editorial attention and a fuller seat at the table\, to unique opportunities for genre-bending or niche projects that might get passed over elsewhere. We'll talk through what to look for in a small press\, questions to ask before signing\, and how to weigh the trade-offs against a bigger deal. Whether you're considering a small press for the first time or wondering if you made the right call\, you'll leave with a clearer sense of the real opportunity small publishers can offer.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 3: THE BOOK ECOSYSTEM
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c8d714458c784d3a78832c0d0abd08e7
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/c8d714458c784d3a78832c0d0abd08e7
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T151500Z
DTEND:20270116T161500Z
SUMMARY:Behind the Book Buzz: The Secrets of Book Publicity
DESCRIPTION:Ever wonder why some books seem to be everywhere— bookstore windows\, "best of" lists\, everyone's algorithm— while equally great ones quietly disappear? The answer is usually publicity\, and this session pulls back the curtain on how it actually works. We'll cover what publicists really do (and how it differs from marketing)\, how books get chosen for reviews\, features\, and media hits\, what authors can realistically do to support the effort\, and why buzz often starts building long before a book ever hits shelves. Whether you're prepping for your first launch or wondering why your last one felt so quiet\, you'll leave understanding what's really behind the books everyone's talking about.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 4: POST-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2f2e715dd62bcd2b9d31235c2f6850ff
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/2f2e715dd62bcd2b9d31235c2f6850ff
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T151500Z
DTEND:20270116T161500Z
SUMMARY:Context is Everything: Researching With\, and For\, Emotional Impact
DESCRIPTION:Writers of memoir are often asked to bring research to the page\, to help the reader feel the largeness of a question beyond one life. Novelists\, too\, are likely to realize that research is needed somewhere along the way\, to deepen their characters’ world. Yet writers of researched nonfiction are constantly asked to bring more of themselves to the page— to add characters and emotion\, rather than research. Why this contradictory hunger and how is a writer to find their own path within it? What makes some research moments feel not only alive on the page but essential\, while others can feel shoehorned-in or bone dry? Together\, we’ll examine examples from books that successfully\, even elegantly\, toggle between research and memoir\, examining what makes such moments feel organic and alive\, and arrive at several considerations to spark our own thinking. While our examples will be drawn primarily from nonfiction\, novelists who wish to traverse different vocal modes and poets in love with the inclusion of fact will find strategies here\, too.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 5: BIG PICTURE
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:49d3095cb47045a2780b97c4408b7897
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/49d3095cb47045a2780b97c4408b7897
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T151500Z
DTEND:20270116T161500Z
SUMMARY:Performing Your Work
DESCRIPTION:Reading your work aloud is a completely different skill than writing it— and it can make or break how an audience connects with your book. This session covers how to actually perform your writing\, whether for a live audience or radio: choosing the right excerpt\, pacing and vocal delivery\, managing nerves\, and adapting your approach for readings\, podcasts\, and audiobook narration. Whether you're prepping for your first bookstore event or trying to level up your presence on stage\, you'll leave with concrete tools for bringing your words to life out loud.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 6: GRAB BAG
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4259cdd7166a15aea0d667fd15e42e49
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/4259cdd7166a15aea0d667fd15e42e49
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T163000Z
DTEND:20270116T173000Z
SUMMARY:The Art of the Sentence in Memoir
DESCRIPTION:In memoir\, the sentence is doing double duty— it has to track specific facts while spinning a compelling story all at once. This session zooms in on the line level: how sentence rhythm and syntax can convey emotional weight\, how to balance lyricism with clarity so the prose never upstages the story\, and how the best memoirists build voice one sentence at a time. We'll look at what makes a sentence earn its place on the page— versus simply sounding good— and how small\, deliberate choices in structure and diction shape a reader's trust in the narrator. You'll leave with a sharper eye for the sentence as memoir's smallest\, most essential unit of truth— and new tools for making your own prose carry more weight.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 1: DEEP CRAFT
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7dd46d0ed0e7f57f904edf1f69354ed0
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/7dd46d0ed0e7f57f904edf1f69354ed0
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T163000Z
DTEND:20270116T173000Z
SUMMARY:Finding "The One": Researching Agents Who Are Actually Right for You
DESCRIPTION:A great query letter means nothing if it lands in the wrong inbox. This session is about the research that happens before you ever hit send: how to identify agents who actually represent your genre\, how to read a deal announcement or MSWL post for real signal (not just wishful thinking)\, and how to avoid wasting your shot on a mismatch. We'll cover the tools and databases worth using\, red flags to watch for\, and how to build a smart\, targeted query list instead of a scattershot one. Whether you're querying for the first time or starting over after a round that didn't go anywhere\, you'll leave knowing how to find the agents who are actually right for your book.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 2: PRE-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5d0eede114694baef8b0c047f1976b4f
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/5d0eede114694baef8b0c047f1976b4f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T163000Z
DTEND:20270116T173000Z
SUMMARY:What Fresh Hell? What's Changed in Publishing (and Whether It's Working)
DESCRIPTION:Publishing has changed a lot in the last few years — some of it exciting\, some of it exhausting\, and some of it TBD. This session takes stock of the shifts reshaping the industry itself: shrinking advances\, algorithm-driven discovery\, the evolving role of agents\, AI's creeping presence\, and general norms of how the publishing world operates. We'll ask the real question underneath it all: is any of this actually working — for authors\, for readers\, for the industry itself? Expect honest analysis\, a little venting\, and a clearer sense of where things stand.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 3: THE BOOK ECOSYSTEM
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7261bd66b33fa01d43c5f4ce27ffeccd
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/7261bd66b33fa01d43c5f4ce27ffeccd
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T163000Z
DTEND:20270116T173000Z
SUMMARY:Whether (and How) to Part Ways with Your Agent
DESCRIPTION:Sometimes a partnership that once worked just...doesn't anymore\, for all sorts of reasons. Deciding whether to part ways with one's literary agent is one of the murkiest and most sensitive struggles an author can face-- and sometimes it's the agent who's looking to do the leaving. This session tackles the hard questions: how to tell if it's really time to move on\, how to have that conversation professionally\, what happens to your rights and existing projects\, and how to find the right next fit without burning bridges. Come for an honest\, practical\, and a little bit therapeutic discussion.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 4: POST-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:31eefac4bbaa58109746102ef0d159a5
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/31eefac4bbaa58109746102ef0d159a5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T163000Z
DTEND:20270116T173000Z
SUMMARY:The Shape of the Thing: Finding Your Book's Real Structure
DESCRIPTION:Most writers think of revision as fixing sentences\, but the real transformation usually happens at the level of structure-- and it's the part that everyone's most afraid to touch. This session offers a genre-agnostic look at structure as a revision tool\, not just a first-draft decision: how to diagnose when a story's problems are actually structural\, techniques for reordering\, cutting\, and rebuilding without losing what works\, and how to let a draft's real shape emerge instead of forcing it into an outline you made before you understood the story. Whether you're working in fiction or nonfiction\, you'll leave with a new way of thinking about revision—not as damage control\, but as the place where your book actually gets built.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 5: BIG PICTURE
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9e6323ac1605b19957ae8c1dcd1554eb
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/9e6323ac1605b19957ae8c1dcd1554eb
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T163000Z
DTEND:20270116T173000Z
SUMMARY:Writing & Music
DESCRIPTION:This panel explores the deep\, often surprising relationship between a musician's ear and a writer's instincts: how rhythm\, structure\, and improvisation carry over from the stage to the page. Panelists include David Ryan\, original drummer for The Lemonheads and now a widely respected short story writer\, alongside authors Rick Moody and Paul Harding\, who have musical backgrounds in their own right. Together they'll dig into how their musical training shapes their prose\, what literary writing and songwriting have in common structurally\, and what writers without a musical background can still learn from thinking like a musician. Expect a conversation that's as much about craft as it is about the strange\, resonant overlap between two art forms.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 6: GRAB BAG
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:28c47d1b44cacd8bc6a1b948c3b6cc1d
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/28c47d1b44cacd8bc6a1b948c3b6cc1d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T173000Z
DTEND:20270116T184500Z
SUMMARY:Lunch Break
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:FOR EVERYONE
LOCATION:1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:bfda93d80bd6f435e3f6a98a3e17be74
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/bfda93d80bd6f435e3f6a98a3e17be74
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T184500Z
DTEND:20270116T194500Z
SUMMARY:Time & Pacing
DESCRIPTION:Handling short and long time\, time jumps\, flashbacks\, and multiple timelines is the bane of a writer’s existence. Add to that the thorny issue of pacing\, and you’ve got a devilish duo that can make or break any piece of writing. This session will offer advice on what to do and what to avoid from the trenches of our panel’s experiences—the good\, the bad\, and everything in between.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 1: DEEP CRAFT
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c1317d6a66ff79fe581046319d9051d0
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/c1317d6a66ff79fe581046319d9051d0
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T184500Z
DTEND:20270116T194500Z
SUMMARY:Working with a Developmental Editor
DESCRIPTION:Your draft is done — now comes the part where someone tells you\, lovingly but firmly\, that your structure isn't working or that chapter 3 is where your argument actually starts. That's a developmental editor's job\, and this session is your guide to working with one. We'll cover what developmental editing is (and isn't)\, how to find the right editor for your project — whether you're writing narrative nonfiction\, memoir\, or fiction — and how to turn hard-to-hear feedback into a stronger book without losing your voice. Whether you're shaping a novel's arc\, structuring a life on the page\, or building a clear case out of research and reporting\, you'll leave with practical tools for making this creative partnership work.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 2: PRE-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c71d9c829f9fe9c6ce75bb02fa2c30ee
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/c71d9c829f9fe9c6ce75bb02fa2c30ee
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T184500Z
DTEND:20270116T194500Z
SUMMARY:Paper\, Ink\, Arcs\, and More: How Books Actually Get Made
DESCRIPTION:From a finished manuscript to a stack of books in a warehouse\, there's a whole physical and logistical process out there that most authors never see. This session walks through the mechanics of book production: editing and design handoffs\, the mysterious world of ARCs\, paper sourcing and print runs\, printing and binding\, and the supply chain realities that can make or break a pub date. Come get a hands-on look at how your book actually becomes\, well\, a book.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 3: THE BOOK ECOSYSTEM
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e8ef9b5cd2695b54a6f5b2e171091ae8
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/e8ef9b5cd2695b54a6f5b2e171091ae8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T184500Z
DTEND:20270116T194500Z
SUMMARY:SubStack\, TikTok\, & More: Is It a New Media Landscape or Is It Sucking Us Dry?
DESCRIPTION:Substack newsletters\, BookTok virality\, algorithm-chasing on every platform — is this the democratization of media\, a real opportunity to attract readers and publish work on your own terms\, or just a new set of landlords collecting rent on our attention? This session digs into the real trade-offs of building an audience on today's platforms: reach versus ownership\, authenticity versus performance\, and what it actually costs (creatively and otherwise) to play the platform game. Come for a clear-eyed\, exciting\, and occasionally irreverent look at where this media landscape is taking us.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 4: POST-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:35fd486d25f605c648ceafeca26f7b12
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/35fd486d25f605c648ceafeca26f7b12
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T184500Z
DTEND:20270116T194500Z
SUMMARY:Time-Turners & Other Wizard Tricks: Straight Talk from Writer Who Get the Work Done
DESCRIPTION:Why is it that prolific authors are seemingly also the ones with big jobs\, caretaking duties\, and very full lives all-around? How do they do it? Join us for real talk from writers who've figured out how to manage their time and get words on the page. We'll share the healthy habits\, systems\, tricks\, and hard-won practices that keep them productive amid deadlines\, day jobs\, and everything else life throws at a working writer. We'll cover time management\, beating procrastination\, building sustainable routines\, and knowing when to push through versus when to step away. No Time-Turners necessary — just practical\, honest strategies you can actually use.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 5: BIG PICTURE
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:026b9b1b961cca379bc8d4e3971fa7dd
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/026b9b1b961cca379bc8d4e3971fa7dd
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T184500Z
DTEND:20270116T194500Z
SUMMARY:Working with Sensitivity Readers
DESCRIPTION:Done well\, a sensitivity read isn't about restriction — it's about writing with more confidence and authenticity\, especially when your story ventures outside your own lived experience. This session breaks down what sensitivity readers actually do\, when to bring one in\, how to find the right reader for your manuscript\, and how to make the most of their feedback so your book comes out richer and more resonant. We'll talk through what this collaboration can look like at its best\, common misconceptions worth clearing up\, and how it fits into a strong editorial process overall. Whether you're considering a sensitivity read for the first time or want to get more out of the experience\, you'll leave with a clear\, encouraging sense of how this partnership can make your book better.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 6: GRAB BAG
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:dbe12d4081fe4b1af81bfdb4d57acdff
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/dbe12d4081fe4b1af81bfdb4d57acdff
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T200000Z
DTEND:20270116T210000Z
SUMMARY:As Above\, So Below: Character-Driven Worldbuilding
DESCRIPTION:In this workshop on worldbuilding for secondary worlds\, author Ken Liu will lead attendees in a reexamination of the concept of "worldbuilding" to find an alternative to the traditional approach of "objective" worldbuilding. Instead\, a character-driven\, "subjective" approach can unlock your creativity in crafting rich\, immersive new worlds. The format of the workshop will consist of a mini-lecture followed by writing exercises.\n \n Prior to the class\, think about a potential way to craft a new secondary world that diverges from ours in some key detail. For instance: a world in which the dead don’t disappear but continue to reside with the living\, a world in which time can be bought for gold\, or a world in which reincarnation based on your past achievements is literally a fact of life. You don’t have to do much thinking—a vague idea in mind is enough.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 1: DEEP CRAFT
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3fa11f9f275100df710ff121482817b4
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/3fa11f9f275100df710ff121482817b4
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T200000Z
DTEND:20270116T210000Z
SUMMARY:Soft Skills: How to Network Effectively Without Feeling Like an Asshat
DESCRIPTION:The networking author has a bad reputation — and honestly\, a lot of it is earned. Nobody wants to be the person working a room like it's a transaction\, or sliding into an agent's DMs with a pitch disguised as a compliment. This session is about the other way to do it: building real relationships with publishing professionals\, fellow writers\, and readers that don't feel gross\, forced\, or purely self-serving. We'll cover how to network at conferences\, online\, and in everyday life — what to say (and not say)\, how to follow up without being a pest\, and how to play the long game in an industry where today's slush pile reader could be tomorrow's editor. Come learn how to build a genuine network without losing your dignity — or your soul.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 2: PRE-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:48948ab80db8597a5f1ea58fbd0ed9bf
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/48948ab80db8597a5f1ea58fbd0ed9bf
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T200000Z
DTEND:20270116T210000Z
SUMMARY:How Audiobooks Get Made
DESCRIPTION:Audiobooks don't just happen — they're built\, voice by voice and take by take. This session offers a behind-the-scenes look at audiobook production: how narrators are cast\, what happens in the studio\, the editing and quality-control process\, and how a finished audiobook actually reaches listeners on platforms like Audible and Spotify. Whether you're audio-curious or already producing your own\, you'll come away understanding exactly what goes into turning words on a page into a voice in someone's ear.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 3: THE BOOK ECOSYSTEM
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f31d0627259c6a7f3149ba53b396b6ac
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/f31d0627259c6a7f3149ba53b396b6ac
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T200000Z
DTEND:20270116T210000Z
SUMMARY:How Readers Are Discovering Books Today
DESCRIPTION:BookTok\, newsletters\, indie bookstore staff picks\, algorithm-driven recommendations — the ways readers find their next book have completely transformed\, and independent publishers and bookstores are navigating this new landscape in real time. This session digs into how discovery actually happens now: what's driving foot traffic and sales at indie stores\, how small and independent presses are building visibility without Big Five marketing budgets\, and where social media\, community\, and old-fashioned hand-selling still win out over algorithms. Whether you're a publisher\, a bookseller\, or an author trying to understand where your readers are actually coming from\, you'll leave with a sharper sense of how discovery works today — and how independents are shaping it.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 4: POST-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5c480ef8b91743e8976f19d58e430ca1
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/5c480ef8b91743e8976f19d58e430ca1
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T200000Z
DTEND:20270116T210000Z
SUMMARY:Making the Robot Work For You: AI Uses\, Scandals\, & What’s to Come
DESCRIPTION:AI in our industry is both messy and arguably here to stay-- part useful tool\, part ethical minefield\, and definitely an existential question mark. This session takes a clear-eyed look at where AI use currently stands in the realm of writing and publishing: how writers are using AI to research and brainstorm\, scandals in prizes awarded to AI-generated works\, trends of AI-generated books flooding platforms\, and the status of major training data lawsuits. What does the near future might hold for authors\, agents\, and publishers navigating it all? Whether you're AI-skeptical\, AI-curious\, or somewhere in between\, you'll leave with a sharper\, more informed understanding of the risks\, the real opportunities\, and how to make the robot work for you instead of the other way around.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 5: BIG PICTURE
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:13d7fd13381581816057cc3a7bdddbfb
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/13d7fd13381581816057cc3a7bdddbfb
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T200000Z
DTEND:20270116T210000Z
SUMMARY:Writing About Real People Ethically & Legally
DESCRIPTION:Writing about real people — whether in memoir\, essay\, journalism\, or fiction inspired by real events — comes with questions that craft alone can't answer. This session tackles the ethical and legal territory writers need to navigate: defamation\, privacy\, and the practical difference between what you're legally allowed to write and what you should write. We'll cover how to handle composite characters\, changed names\, and disguised details\; when to seek permission (and when you don't need to)\; how to think about people who can't consent\, including the deceased and minors\; and how to stay true to your story without needlessly harming the people in it. Whether you're writing about family\, exes\, public figures\, or anyone in between\, you'll leave with a clearer framework for telling your truth responsibly.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 6: GRAB BAG
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1f0fc2b4565163c9a1db198f17cf9892
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/1f0fc2b4565163c9a1db198f17cf9892
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T211500Z
DTEND:20270116T224500Z
SUMMARY:Cocktail Hour & Book Signing
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:FOR EVERYONE
LOCATION:1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:86a22345b9323ba725a4b925991f727a
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/86a22345b9323ba725a4b925991f727a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270116T224500Z
DTEND:20270117T010000Z
SUMMARY:Dinner Break
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:FOR EVERYONE
LOCATION:1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:57abbb7c75159796eaf13672f34f4d61
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/57abbb7c75159796eaf13672f34f4d61
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T010000Z
DTEND:20270117T040000Z
SUMMARY:One For the Books After-Party @ Flatbread
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:SATURDAY NIGHT AFTER-PARTY
LOCATION:1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ca20bf3644c193d3b8c297100be09aa9
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/ca20bf3644c193d3b8c297100be09aa9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T130000Z
DTEND:20270117T140000Z
SUMMARY:The Sevens at Eight: Write-In with The 7am Novelist
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:FOR EVERYONE
LOCATION:1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f5df4eab6e6a268309f7b152aa7fb63b
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/f5df4eab6e6a268309f7b152aa7fb63b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T143000Z
DTEND:20270117T153000Z
SUMMARY:Earned\, Not Engineered: On Building Plot
DESCRIPTION:How do you create a gripping plot that nonetheless never feels imposed-- only inevitable? In this conversation\, Celeste Ng and Peter Ho Davies get specific about how they've done it: Ng on structuring tension around withheld information and dramatic irony\, where readers often know more than the characters do\, and Davies on plotting through moral complexity and restraint\, where what a character chooses not to do drives the story as much as what they do. Together\, they'll dig into how plot emerges from character choices rather than external events\, how to build momentum without melodrama\, and how they know when a plot point is earned versus engineered. Expect a craft-focused conversation with concrete takeaways for anyone wrestling with the architecture of their own story.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 1: DEEP CRAFT
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:478e7008732712690572ef02ca56441a
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/478e7008732712690572ef02ca56441a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T143000Z
DTEND:20270117T153000Z
SUMMARY:Query Tip: How to Write an Excellent Query Letter
DESCRIPTION:A query letter is your one chance to entice an agent or editor into reading your manuscript. Needless to say it must be just right. But what does a perfect pitch entail? In this course\, an experienced literary agent will offer tips on how (and how not) to pitch your work to increase the chances of an agent or editor requesting your manuscript.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 2: PRE-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:58425931303638d6c1334e7a335ffea8
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/58425931303638d6c1334e7a335ffea8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T143000Z
DTEND:20270117T153000Z
SUMMARY:Cover Design Case Study
DESCRIPTION:Great cover design isn't just meant to grab eyeballs— it's strategic\, and a work of art in its own right. This session\, led by acclaimed designer Nicole Caputo\, breaks down her process behind designing a real book cover\, start to finish: how the initial brief was formed\, the concepts that got rejected (and why)\, how design choices tie to genre expectations and target readers\, and the back-and-forth between author\, designer\, and publisher along the way. Using an actual book as the case study\, she'll trace the decisions— typography\, imagery\, color\, comp titles— that shaped the final cover\, and what they reveal about how design actually gets made in publishing today. Whether you're curious about the process or hoping to advocate more effectively for your own cover\, you'll leave with a much clearer sense of what goes into getting it right.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 3: THE BOOK ECOSYSTEM
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:672de9da2d65a3da2715009043c5a61c
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/672de9da2d65a3da2715009043c5a61c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T143000Z
DTEND:20270117T153000Z
SUMMARY:Author Brand-Building
DESCRIPTION:Your author brand is more than a bio and a headshot — it's how readers\, agents\, and editors come to understand who you are and what you write. This session breaks down what author branding actually means\, how to build one authentically (without feeling like a walking marketing campaign)\, and how to keep it consistent across your website\, social media\, and public presence. Whether you're just starting out or rethinking your image\, you'll leave with a clearer sense of how to shape how the world sees you as a writer.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 4: POST-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:34466857489f62f3d7a15ac51aa5d215
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/34466857489f62f3d7a15ac51aa5d215
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T143000Z
DTEND:20270117T153000Z
SUMMARY:The Doldrums: Author Strategies When You're Between Books
DESCRIPTION:The space between finishing one book and selling (or starting) the next can feel like creative purgatory— quiet\, uncertain\, and easy to spiral in. This session offers real strategies for the in-between: staying productive without burning out\, managing the anxiety of "what's next\," keeping your visibility up without a book to promote\, and using the downtime intentionally instead of just enduring it. Come find some company— and some tools — for surviving the doldrums.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 5: BIG PICTURE
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ea7e8ea6b5817d2f8619b858a6463426
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/ea7e8ea6b5817d2f8619b858a6463426
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T143000Z
DTEND:20270117T153000Z
SUMMARY:Borrowed Clothes: Drawing on Folkloric Narrative Structures
DESCRIPTION:Fairy tales and ghost stories remain lively and engaging material for writers to draw on. Regardless of the genre you're working in\, the language\, structures\, and tropes of the folkloric fantastic can serve your narrative.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 6: GRAB BAG
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f87e6b6b3b895edd164680eb273b2545
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/f87e6b6b3b895edd164680eb273b2545
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T154500Z
DTEND:20270117T164500Z
SUMMARY:Suspense\, Intrigue\, & Danger: What Mystery Writers Can Teach Us All
DESCRIPTION:Mystery and thriller writers are masters of tension — the art of making readers desperate to turn the page\, no matter what's actually happening in the story. This session pulls back the curtain on those techniques and shows how they apply far beyond the genre: pacing reveals\, planting clues (and red herrings)\, building dread\, and structuring a plot so momentum never lets up. Whether you're writing literary fiction\, romance\, memoir\, or anything in between\, you'll leave with concrete tools for creating suspense and keeping readers hooked\, page after page.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 1: DEEP CRAFT
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7addda4bb02f634ae87ae2f02ca4e4ba
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/7addda4bb02f634ae87ae2f02ca4e4ba
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T154500Z
DTEND:20270117T164500Z
SUMMARY:I’ve Signed With an Agent; Now What?
DESCRIPTION:The offer's in\, the contract's signed\, and now comes the part nobody quite prepares you for. This session walks through what actually happens after signing: what to expect during the submission process\, how to communicate with your agent\, how much patience (and silence) is normal\, and how to manage your expectations without losing your mind. Whether you're newly signed or still figuring out this relationship\, you'll leave knowing what comes next — and how to be a good partner in it.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 2: PRE-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:50a053f376495e889b5d79b61706a1bd
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/50a053f376495e889b5d79b61706a1bd
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T154500Z
DTEND:20270117T164500Z
SUMMARY:Memoir Plus\, Essay Collections\, & More: The Publishing Landscape for Non-Fiction Today
DESCRIPTION:Nonfiction today goes well beyond the straightforward memoir—hybrid forms\, essay collections\, and "memoir plus" books that braid personal story with reporting or research are reshaping the category. This session maps the current landscape for writers working outside a single\, tidy genre lane: how these projects get positioned and sold\, what agents and editors are looking for right now\, how to pitch a book that blends memoir with history\, science\, or criticism\, and where essay collections fit in a tough market. Whether your book resists easy categorization or you're just figuring out how to frame it for submission\, you'll leave with a clearer picture of where nonfiction publishing stands today— and how your project fits in.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 3: THE BOOK ECOSYSTEM
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f3485cddc8375f7fc093bc65a65a9e09
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/f3485cddc8375f7fc093bc65a65a9e09
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T154500Z
DTEND:20270117T164500Z
SUMMARY:Show Me the Money: The Business of Being an Author
DESCRIPTION:Writing the book is one thing— figuring out how to actually make a living from it is another story. This session covers the financial realities of an author's career: advances and royalties\, diversifying income through speaking\, teaching\, or other revenue streams\, budgeting for the unpredictable nature of publishing income\, and thinking like a small business owner instead of just a writer. Come for a practical\, unglamorous\, and essential session for any author.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 4: POST-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b1b7f7c85193f8e4d8f53b9168f418b9
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/b1b7f7c85193f8e4d8f53b9168f418b9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T154500Z
DTEND:20270117T164500Z
SUMMARY:Please Murder My Darlings: Or\, How to Make Writing Fun Again
DESCRIPTION:You’re fifty pages in and don’t know where to go next. Or you’ve written the first page — twenty-five times. Getting stuck is an inevitable part of the writing process\, but working with a writing partner can help you move on better and faster than you can alone. Join authors and longtime writing partners Ilyon Woo and Rachel Kousser for a discussion of the specific strategies they’ve road-tested together to overcome writer’s block\, build suspense\, murder each other’s darlings\, and more. We’ll share how we played with screenwriting and other techniques outside our comfort zones to reach wider audiences...starting with each other. You’ll leave with creative methods for finding and developing your writing partnership\, and becoming stronger writers together.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 5: BIG PICTURE
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7d80f4583bc2901dc5613da0e0aee1dc
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/7d80f4583bc2901dc5613da0e0aee1dc
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T154500Z
DTEND:20270117T164500Z
SUMMARY:Latest Tools & Technology for Writers
DESCRIPTION:From manuscript-organizating software to marketing platforms\, there's a dizzying number of tools promising to make a writer's life easier. This session cuts through the noise with a practical look at what's actually useful right now — for drafting\, editing\, organizing research\, tracking submissions\, and building an audience — and what's more hype than help. Come away with a toolkit that fits how you actually work.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 6: GRAB BAG
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:61ab14f57cfde10e27c7e4e42a23b595
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/61ab14f57cfde10e27c7e4e42a23b595
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T170000Z
DTEND:20270117T180000Z
SUMMARY:Rules for Revision
DESCRIPTION:Every writer has their own revision rules— some useful\, some superstition\, some flat-out contradictory. This session digs into the "rules" that actually hold up: when to revise on the sentence level versus the structural level\, how to know if a scene (or a whole draft) needs to be cut versus fixed\, how much distance to take before revising\, and when "kill your darlings" is good advice versus an excuse to avoid harder decisions. We'll also talk about the rules worth breaking— the ones that work for some writers and actively hurt others. You'll leave with a sharper\, more personalized set of principles for revision\, and the judgment to know when to follow them and when to throw them out.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 1: DEEP CRAFT
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:718b56c79dc84378dc989c4fe1ac3568
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/718b56c79dc84378dc989c4fe1ac3568
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T170000Z
DTEND:20270117T180000Z
SUMMARY:I’ve Sold My Book; Now What?
DESCRIPTION:A book deal feels like the finish line — but it's really the starting gun. This session covers what happens between signing a contract and holding a finished book: the editorial process\, marketing and publicity timelines\, what your publisher expects from you\, and how to manage the long\, sometimes disorienting road to publication day. You'll leave with a clear-eyed roadmap for turning a sold manuscript into a successful launch.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 2: PRE-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:267459c66a809ee36858594307990448
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/267459c66a809ee36858594307990448
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T170000Z
DTEND:20270117T180000Z
SUMMARY:The State of Publishing: Trends\, Data\, and What They Mean for You
DESCRIPTION:Everyone has an opinion about the state of publishing — this session brings both the numbers and the stories behind them. We'll dig into the data — sales trends by genre and category\, what advances actually look like right now\, how debut vs. backlist performance has shifted\, the real growth (and limits) of audio and independent publishing — alongside the on-the-ground observations and anecdotes that don't always show up in a spreadsheet. Panelists will share what they're actually seeing in submissions\, deals\, and the market day to day\, cutting through industry speculation and social media doom-scrolling for a fuller\, more honest picture of what's really happening in publishing right now — and what it might mean for your own career.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 3: THE BOOK ECOSYSTEM
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3658094970f297802380de3b3d07fed1
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/3658094970f297802380de3b3d07fed1
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T170000Z
DTEND:20270117T180000Z
SUMMARY:Audiobook Narration
DESCRIPTION:How does a title actually get greenlit for audio — and what role can authors play in making it happen? This panel brings together audiobook and publishing professionals from houses including Sourcebooks and Podium for a candid look at the state of the industry. Geared toward published authors\, the conversation covers how acquisition decisions get made\, what makes a strong audiobook candidate\, how to pitch your publisher on an audio edition\, and audiobooks as a standalone publishing strategy. Leave with a clearer picture of the landscape and concrete ideas for advocating for your own work.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 4: POST-PUB
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:70207761191b77fe5331edfca7401ce3
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/70207761191b77fe5331edfca7401ce3
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T170000Z
DTEND:20270117T180000Z
SUMMARY:Debuting Earlier vs. Later in Life
DESCRIPTION:There's no "right" age to publish your first book— but debuting at 25 and debuting at 55 come with genuinely different opportunities and challenges. This session explores what it's like to break into publishing at different life stages: the energy and long runway of an early debut versus the depth\, patience\, and life experience a later one often brings\, plus the practical realities each path involves\, from building a career trajectory to navigating an industry that sometimes fixates on "young voices." Whether you're an emerging writer wondering if you've waited too long\, or an early-career author thinking about the decades ahead\, you'll leave with a broader\, more honest picture of what debuting at any age can look like.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 5: BIG PICTURE
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:318c1c58735c09d8f8fd6716393a522e
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/318c1c58735c09d8f8fd6716393a522e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T104219Z
DTSTART:20270117T170000Z
DTEND:20270117T180000Z
SUMMARY:The Human Journey: The One Final Actual Secret Of All Satisfying Stories
DESCRIPTION:So many story theories! So little time! But come on: let’s get down to basics. What does a story actually need to…well…BE a story? What even IS a story? Is your novel a story? Are you sure? Or is it\, perhaps\, just something story-like? This lecture will help you figure it out. Mark Cecil has teaching story structure and helping people tell their stories for years. And he can help you\, too. In this session you will learn not only the basics of story\, but also the elements that all stories have in common\, from An Epic Quest With A Magic Ring to finding a good cup of coffee in your neighborhood. Scenes\, chapters\, books and even series use variations of the simple ingredients that make up the Human Journey. I can hear you saying\, “But what is it? Why won’t you just tell us?” Cliffhanger! You have to come to find out.
CATEGORIES:TRACK 6: GRAB BAG
LOCATION:TBA\, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue\, Cambridge\, Massachusetts\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:64b427898adb3c53974d2fd9f87edaed
URL:http://tbr2027.sched.com/event/64b427898adb3c53974d2fd9f87edaed
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR