6-9 p.m.
Meet the speakers, moderators and session coordinators:*
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Conference
4 to 6 p.m. Publisher’s Marketplace
Jessica Balboni | Vintage Comics Writer and Host of Escapist Comics Podcast
Stephanie Garma Balon, MA | Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Jahna Berry | Head of Content Operations, WIRED
Lydia Chávez | Founder and Executive Editor, Mission Local.
Dani Colman | Comics Writer and Editor
Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig | President, Exceptional Women in Publishing; CEO/Editor-in-Chief, shades Magazine
Alicia Garza (via Skype) | Founder, Black Futures Lab; Co-Founder, Black Lives Matter
Sarah Glover | Social Media Editor, NBCUniversal; President, National Association of Black Journalists
Megan Griffo | Editor-in-Chief, The Mighty
Angela Hill | Freelance Journalist
Aubrie Johnson | Social Media Associate, Wikimedia Foundation
LaNiece Jones | Managing Director, lajones&associates; Executive Director, BWOPA/TILE
Rachel Khong | Former Executive Editor, Lucky Peach magazine; Author, “Goodbye, Vitamin”
Lila LaHood | Publisher, San Francisco Public Press
Ellen Lee | Independent Journalist
Thomas Lee | Writer, Blogger; Author, “Rebuilding Empires”
Faviola Leyva | Multimedia Journalist, One Day magazine
Andria Lo | Photographer, Chinatown Pretty
& Valerie Luu | Writer, Chinatown Pretty
Christi Morales-Kumasawa | Associate Marriage and Family Therapist; Former TV Reporter
Beth Bich Minh Nguyen | Author, “Stealing Buddha’s Dinner,” “Short Girls,” “Pioneer Girl”
Aimee Phan | Author, “The Reeducation of Cherry Truong,” “We Should Never Meet: Stories”
Kendra Poppy | Audience Growth Editor, Sunset magazine
Emilie Raguso | Editor, Berkeleyside
Trina Robbins | Comics Illustrator and Writer
Joanne Rocklin | Author, “Love, Penelope”
Indhira Rojas | Founder, Anxy magazine
Katherine Ann Rowlands | Owner, Bay City News
Dashka Slater | Author, “The Wishing Box,” “Escargot,” “The 57 Bus”
Sylvia Tang, MPP | Community Health Planner, San Mateo County Office of Diversity and Equity Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
Tara Taylor | Content Writer, Tara Taylor Media
Jennifer Inez Ward | Journalist and Photographer
Laurie A. Watkins | Author, “Go from Stressed to Strong: Health & Fitness Advice from High Achievers”
Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson | Comics Historian; Author, “DC Comics Before Superman”
Maya Wong | Editorial Assistant, Sunset magazine
Carolyn Wysinger | Host/Producer, The C-Dubb Show
*Partial list of confirmed conference participants. Subject to change. Check back for updates and additions.
6 to 8:30 p.m. – Awards Dinner | Catered by La Cocina & Mixiote (tickets sold separately)
Dinner menu
Join us to honor our special guests:
Breaking News Coverage Award
Catherine Barnett and Annika Toernqvist, The Press Democrat
Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award
Katherine Ann Rowlands, Owner, Bay City News
President’s Award
Kristen Go, Managing Editor for National News, USA TODAY
Check back for more details.
Sound interesting? Then purchase your Tickets TODAY!
Janice Lee | Conference Chairwoman
For a limited time, EWIP has “bossy” T-shirts
for only $20. (check below)
One size left – Large – but if you’d like
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This year’s Speakers, Moderators and Awardees!
The conference program* will include the following sessions (updated 9/14/18):
Morning Plenary: The New Era of Women in Publishing: Media, Mentoring and #MeToo
Publishing is a powerful tool to counter misogyny, sexism and racism. What are the opportunities for women entering media and publishing? What are the opportunities for those trying to break through the glass ceiling? What do we need to do to support one another to ensure our sustainability and success? Join us for this insightful conversation with next generation thought leaders.
Our Local News: A Call To Arms
From multiple fronts, local media, the bedrock of journalism, is facing deep threats. Cutbacks, newspaper closures, profit pressures, and declining readership are wreaking havoc. A panel of journalists, media and community folks talk about what we can do to turn the tide. Beyond sharing stories, the forum starts a new collective conversation about how to address the imperative need for developing a healthy local journalism ecosystem.
Inside the World of Children’s Literature
The children’s book market is growing at a faster clip than the overall book market, according to NPD Book. This panel will offer a peek inside the world of children’s literature: How do authors break in? How hard is it to publish a children’s book? And how is the children’s literature industry different from the rest of the market
Owning Your Story Instead of Your Story Owning You
Authors of color, especially Asian Americans, have historically faced a tough time breaking into mainstream popular culture. Over 25 years, Hollywood has only adapted two books from Asian American authors, Amy Tan’s “The Joy Luck Club” and Kevin Kwan’s “Crazy Rich Asians.” Publishers have mostly focused on those who write memoirs or fictional stories about Asians. Are Asian American authors being pigeonholed? Can an Asian American author find a mainstream audience writing a book that has nothing to do with being Asian?
Standing Out in an Oversaturated Market
In a competitive market of publishers, bloggers and social media influencers, it’s not enough to have gorgeous photos to develop an audience anymore. Learn how journalists balance promoting their work while remaining authentic in a world with an influx of “content creators.” Explore what it takes to develop a digital presence through Instagram.
Mental Illness: Storytelling Without Stigma
Stories about suicide, addiction, trauma, and depression are in the news everyday with coverage that often creates misconceptions. While many stories merely scratch the surface, a growing number of media outlets are going beyond to lay bare the complexity and humanity of mental illness and mental health issues. This panel will provide analysis of how news and digital media cover these difficult topics and how to responsibly report, write, photograph, and illustrate stories that explore these very human conditions without promoting stigma.
How Tech Is Changing the Publishing World
Explore the opportunities that traditionally trained journalists face when making career changes and when they must adapt to the constantly evolving world of the web, social media and blogs. Learn about paid opportunities for freelancers and the role of citizen journalists to have their messages heard.
When Mission is Your Message
Women are playing a pivotal role in major political and social justice movements across the country and around the globe. Learn effective strategies to engage your generation and the next generation to build networks using communications technology.
Generations of Women in Comics
As the public’s interest in comic books grows, this industry is expanding for a whole new generation of women in publishing. Learn about the challenges of the pioneers, and hear how young creators bring you feminist characters and women’s empowerment stories. Join in the conversation to find out what role we can all play in supporting the creative work of writers and illustrators in this industry.
Also: A conference Publishers’ Marketplace, which will feature meet-and-greet opportunities with published women, veteran journalists and emerging talent, as well as opportunities to purchase books and products that support and empower women.
And: The awards dinner, which will include a presentation of EWIP’s Woman of the Year, a buffet dinner, entertainment and more networking opportunities.
Sound interesting? Then purchase your Early Bird Tickets TODAY!