Author & Publisher Events
​
Author and publisher events are a must-do at PLA Conference. Join your fellow book lovers to hear from award-winning authors, socialize with your colleagues, and get your books signed! All times are Central Daylight Saving Time. ($) indicates an event requiring a separate paid registration or ticket.  (★) indicates an event requiring a separate free registration or ticket.
Audio Publishers Association Lunch ($)
Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 12:30 PM–1:45 PM
$70
Join your fellow conference attendees to hear from award-winning authors and audiobook narrators, network and socialize with your colleagues, and get your books signed!
Children's-Author Breakfast (★)
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 7:00 AM–8:00 AM
Event is SOLD OUT, but wait list is available
Start your day with a complimentary breakfast and hear from renowned children’s authors.
Author Lunch with Ann Patchett & Kate DiCamillo ($)
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 12:30 PM–1:45 PM
$70
Join us on Thursday to hear from award-winning authors Ann Patchett and Kate DiCamillo!
Ann Patchett is the author of novels, most recently the #1 New York Times bestselling Tom Lake, works of nonfiction, and children's books. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the PEN/Faulkner, the Women's Prize for Fiction in the UK, and the Book Sense Book of the Year. Her novel The Dutch House was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Her work has been translated into more than thirty languages, and Time magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. President Biden awarded her the National Humanities Medal in recognition of her contributions to American culture. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is the owner of Parnassus Books. Her novel Whistler is forthcoming in June of 2026.
Kate DiCamillo is one of America’s most beloved storytellers. She is a former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and a two-time Newbery Medalist. Born in Philadelphia, she grew up in Florida and now lives in Minneapolis.
Author Lunch with Colson Whitehead ($)
Friday, April 3, 2026, 12:30 PM–1:45 PM
$70
Join us on Friday to hear from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead!
Colson Whitehead is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twelve works of fiction and nonfiction, and is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, for The Nickel Boys and The Underground Railroad, which also won the National Book Award. A recipient of MacArthur and Guggenheim fellowships, he lives in New York City.
Book Buzz Stage
Thursday, April 4–Friday, April 5, 2026
Hear the latest publisher buzz for 2026 at the Book Buzz Stage! Stay tuned for more information.
PLA thanks Ingram for its support of the Book Buzz Stage.
Ingram is a platinum-level sponsor of the PLA 2026 Conference.
