Jaipur BookMark (JBM), South Asia’s leading business and networking platform for the publishing industry, is set to return from 15th to 19th January 2026, bringing together some of the most influential voices shaping the future of books, rights, and storytelling. Running alongside the Jaipur Literature Festival, JBM has steadily evolved into a key meeting ground for global publishing professionals, from editors and agents to translators, writers, and rights specialists.
This year’s edition unveils an impressive lineup of speakers representing diverse genres, markets, and expertise. The roster features names such as Ananth Padmanabhan, Arcopol Chaudhuri, Arti Jain, Arunava Sinha, Deepa Bhasthi, Dhruv Singh, Emma House, Gunjan Ahlawat, Harsha Bhatkal, Hemali Sodhi, Jay Prakash Pandey, Jayapriya Vasudevan, Jeet Thayil, Kanishka Gupta, Karuna Gokhale, Martin Puchner, Neeraj Jain, Richa Jha, Rita Kothari, Sanjiv Gupta, Shailesh Bharatwasi, Sohini Mitra, Sugata Ghosh, Trisha Das, Vaishali Mathur, Vivek Shanbhag, William Sieghart, Yoshitoki Oima, and Yoshiaki Koga.
Bringing together established industry leaders and boundary-pushing creators, the 2026 lineup reflects JBM’s continued commitment to exploring the shifts and challenges in contemporary publishing, from translation and rights management to digital disruption and new storytelling formats.
India–UK Publishing Fellowship: Two Trailblazers Selected
A key highlight of this edition is the continuation of the India–UK Publishing Fellowship, a joint initiative between Jaipur BookMark and the British Council. The programme aims to deepen professional exchange, support independent publishers, and widen international exposure for emerging leaders in the field.
For the 2026 cohort, applications were invited between 20th August and 31st October 2025. After a rigorous selection process, two outstanding fellows have been chosen:
Harriet Hirshman, Publishing Manager at Dead Ink Books, Liverpool, known for commissioning and editing new titles while overseeing production and rights. She was recently shortlisted for Future Leader of the Year at the FutureBook Awards.
Ruby Hembrom, an Adivasi publisher, cultural documentarian, and founder of adivaani, a non-profit publishing house established in 2012. Her work has played a crucial role in advocating for Adivasi identity and knowledge through print and documentation.
Both fellows will participate in Jaipur BookMark 2026 and later in the London Book Fair from 10th to 12th March 2026, supported by the British Council.
Leaders Speak: A Platform Shaping the Future of Publishing
Reflecting on the upcoming edition, Manisha Chaudhry, Director, Jaipur BookMark, said JBM continues to evolve with the needs of a rapidly changing industry.
“Jaipur BookMark has always evolved in step with the publishing industry, and the 2026 edition builds on this commitment with a focus on rights exchange, translation, and spotting trends across the industry. This year, we are opening new conversations on digital innovation, emerging markets, and the ever-changing landscape of storytelling,” she noted.
Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Jaipur Literature Festival and Director of JBM, Namita Gokhale, emphasized the global significance of the platform.
“JBM is where ideas travel across languages and cultures, where partnerships take root, and where publishing finds new synergies and inspiration,” she said, reiterating its role as a hub for long-term collaboration.
From the British Council, Hema Singh Rance, Director Arts India, highlighted the strategic value of the fellowship and partnership:
“The India-UK Publishing Fellowship is a vital vehicle for fostering professional ties and nurturing the next generation of publishing leaders, particularly by championing inclusion and diverse voices within the industry.”
A Decade of Dialogue, Deals and Discovery
Over the years, Jaipur BookMark has become an unparalleled platform for the global publishing community to discuss industry trends, negotiate rights, share ideas, and build collaborations. Many landmark projects, translations, and cross-border partnerships have found their beginnings at JBM.
Backed by Teamwork Arts, the organisers of both JBM and the Jaipur Literature Festival, the conclave has consistently nurtured conversations on the business of books, the future of reading, and the growing impact of technology on publishing.
With its 2026 edition, Jaipur BookMark once again positions itself as a space where the publishing world can think ahead, discover new markets, celebrate diverse voices, and shape the stories that will define the next decade.
As the global book industry stands at the crossroads of innovation and transformation, JBM 2026 promises to be a landmark gathering, where business meets creativity, and where the future of publishing begins.
