Join us for a critical and time-sensitive educational session focused on safeguarding the fundamental rights of readers.
Join us for a critical and time-sensitive educational session focused on safeguarding the fundamental rights of readers and championing the imperative role of representation in literature, specifically within the context of independent bookstores. The escalating wave of book bans constitutes a formidable threat to these rights and values, orchestrated to suppress historically marginalized voices and experiences. Authors, publishers, and booksellers find themselves relentlessly targeted by both random and deliberate book bans, profoundly impacting our literary community.
Experts will share their experiences and impart invaluable insights on effectively combating the pervasive issue of book bans. Leave with actionable strategies to effectively respond to book bans in your community and proactively thwart future attempts at censorship.
Session Lead: Ashley Valentine. Educators: Cree Myles (Penguin Random House, All Ways Black), Johnathan Pope (Prologue Bookshop), Grace Hagen (The Novel Neighbor), Sabrina Baeta (Freedom to Read, a consultant for PEN America)