Event information
Three senior figures in South African publishing gather to discuss the industry's shifting landscape, chaired by Festival Director Mervyn Sloman.
Morné Bam represents Penguin Random House, Jessica Powers represents independent publisher Catalyst Press, and Stevlyn Vermeulen represents Jonathan Ball Publishers. Between them, the panellists cover trade, independent and local-international publishing models operating in South Africa.
Discussion topics include the effect of artificial intelligence on editorial and production processes, both the disruptions and unexpected benefits it has introduced, alongside the growing influence of social media metrics on acquisition and marketing decisions. The panel also addresses the practical realities of cover design, the ongoing challenge of holding readers' attention in a crowded media environment, and how local publishing houses navigate their relationships with international distribution networks.
Rather than a promotional overview of new releases, the session functions as an industry-facing conversation aimed at readers, writers and publishing professionals interested in the mechanics behind the books they buy.