Crossing the Divide: Trade Publishing

Faculty are trained to write and publish for university presses. However, some faculty hear the call of public humanities and want to reach a broader audience through trade publication. This panel of esteemed trade professionals will address how to move into trade publication, how to approach a press, and how to find and work with an agent. The event assumes no prior knowledge. It is for the trade press curios as well as those looking for their next book deal. One-on-one meetings with Lucas and with Kim will be available in the afternoon. 

Bio: Lisa Lucas is Senior Vice President at Knopf Doubleday, publisher of Pantheon Books and Schocken Books, and a former executive director of the National Book Foundation. She was recently featured in the New York Times as part of the next generation of publishers looking to open the industry to diverse authors and readerships.  

Bio: Kirby Kim represents both literary and commercial authors. He’s most interested in manuscripts that straddle the fence a bit, with upmarket expression combined with a genre element or plot device. When it comes to straight literary work, he’s alternatively drawn to rich, sweeping stories that try to encompass a time or a place or tightly written, narratively innovative stories or voices with award potential. He also represents a range of nonfiction working with leaders and journalists in the areas of science, culture and current affairs. He’s also known for representing pop culture, in particular music and comedy.

This hybrid event is hosted by Humanities Institute.