Alongside JLF, Jaipur BookMark 2026 returns for its 13th edition

Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: File pic

South Asia B2B publishing platform Jaipur BookMark (JBM) is set to return for its 13th edition alongside the Jaipur Literature Festival from January 15 - 19.

The platform brings together publishers, authors, translators, literary agents, booksellers, and industry leaders from India and across the globe, to explore emerging trends, international collaborations, and innovative practices shaping the world of publishing today.

Speaking about the upcoming edition, Manisha Chaudhry, director of Jaipur BookMark, said, "The thoughtfully curated programme of JBM 2026 reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of the publishing industry. From exploring emerging trends and new narrative forms to celebrating the vibrancy of Indian language publishing and understanding the impact of technology, this year's edition is designed to inspire, inform, and foster collaboration among all participants".

Namita Gokhale, co-founder and co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival and director of Jaipur BookMark, added, "Jaipur BookMark was set up in 2014 to celebrate the core values of publishing and to engage with professional aspects of the book trade. As custodians of narratives and culture, the publishing industry remains foundational to literature and to the expression and dissemination of ideas. We are building a diverse community of book creators across languages and platforms, sharing our stories through both new and traditional technologies".

Jaipur BookMark will present a rich and wide-ranging programme that reflects the shifting global publishing landscape, opening with a keynote address by acclaimed poet, cultural theorist, and curator, Ranjit Hoskote, setting the intellectual tone for the conclave.

The session 'Illuminating Translations' brings together Kanishka Gupta, award-winning translator Deepa Bhasthi, and editor Moutushi Mukherjee, in a conversation on the promise of translations and bibliodiversity in the context of Banu Mushtaq's Booker Prize winning collection, 'Heart Lamp', translated by Deepa Bhasthi.

Another session, 'In Futurescape: Spotting Trends in the Publishing Industry', features Samir Patil and Emma House in conversation with Meru Gokhale, as they discuss the impact of generative AI and other emerging technologies on publishing.

'Hindi Literary Podcasts: Sahitya ke Naye Khojdeep' features Anjum Sharma, Arti Jain, and Anurag Minus Verma in conversation with Jai Prakash Pandey, and is centred on how digital platforms are energising Hindi literature.

The cultural impact of legacy bookstores is explored in 'The Scent of Books: Stories about Bookstores', with Anuj Bahri, Nijesh Shah, Murali D.P. and Mohit Batra in conversation with Swati Daftuar, while 'Northern Lights: Children's Literature from Norway' sees Oliver Moystad of Norwegian Literature Abroad (NORLA) in dialogue with Truda Spruyt on Norway's children's publishing ahead of Bologna 2026.

'The Children's Publishing Roundtable: Nurturing New Readers' brings together Himanshu Giri, Neeraj Jain, Richa Jha, Saanya Kanwar, Sohini Mitra, Tina Narang, and Ujan Dutta in conversation with Smit Zaveri to discuss the opportunities and challenges in children's publishing and nurturing of reading cultures in India.

'Live Lines: India-UK Publishing Fellows Connect', presented by the British Council, features India-UK Publishing fellows, a collaborative initiative between the British Council and Jaipur BookMark, Harriet Hirshman and Ruby Hembrom in conversation with Hema Singh Rance on cross-border publishing collaborations.

In 'Optimism in the Times of Change: Mapping the Future for Big Publishers', Ananth Padmanabhan, CEO, HarperCollins India, speaks with Shreya Punj on navigating technological change at scale. 100 years of publishing legacy of Popular Prakashan, a Marathi publisher are highlighted through 'Popular Prakshan: A Century of Seeding Culture', with Harsha Bhatkal in conversation with Anish Gawande, while 'Ye Dil Manga More: Art and Anime from Japan', features the celebrated Manga artist Yoshitoki Oima and Yoshiaki Koga of the well-known Japanese publisher Kodansha, in conversation with Radhika Jha.

Other notable sessions include 'Educational Publishing: The Triad of Access, Speed and Excellence', presented by SAGE Publications, with Chandrika Parmar in conversation with Sugata Ghosh; 'Marketing Roundtable: The Hub and the Spokes in the Wheel', bringing together Nijesh Shah, Ajay Jain, Rahul Dixit, Rachna Kalra, and Saksham Garg in conversation with Akriti Tyagii; 'The Future of Books: Reimagining Narratives', presented by the French Book Office, with Maylis Vauterin, Delphine Clot and Josselin Azorin-Lara in conversation with Swati Chopra; 'Indology: Shades and Layers of a Civilisation', presented by Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation, introduced by Namita Gokhale; with Dr. R. Balakrishnan and Su Venkatesan in conversation with Dr. T.S. Saravanan; and 'Emerging Markets for Indian Publishing', with Kanishka Gupta, Ravi Deecee, Georgina Godwin and Samir Patil in conversation with Emma House. Jaipur BookMark also presents the 'Festival Directors' Roundtable', featuring Anjani Raipat, Jesus Ruiz Mantilla, Shubha Sanjay Urs, Biswadip Chakraborty and Lavinia Frey in conversation with Sanjoy K. Roy.

JBM 2026 marks its 13th edition with a focus on Marathi literature, as well as translations, emerging storytelling innovations, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in publishing, with The Royal Norwegian Embassy as its country partner.

Jaipur BookMark also continues its joint initiative with the British Council: the India - UK Publishing Fellowship, that aims to deepen professional collaboration and expand global exposure for independent publishers.

The Tamil Nadu Textbook Bureau, Sage Publications, and The Department of Marathi Language, Government of Maharashtra, join Jaipur BookMark as Session Partners.