From 23 to 26 November 2026, the ThinkPub Publishing Academy will bring four days of learning, discussion and professional exchange to the Slovenian Book Fair in Ljubljana. Organised by Beletrina in partnership with the Slovenian Book Fair, the programme will connect international expertise with the experiences and needs of the Slovenian book sector. The participation of German guests Josi Wismar and Juergen Boos is made possible by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Slovenia.
Audiobooks, artificial intelligence, reading promotion and new ways of reaching audiences will be at the heart of the academy. Through expert talks and panel discussions, publishers, editors, researchers and other book professionals will explore how emerging ideas and tools can inform everyday publishing practice while strengthening connections with readers.
The programme opens on Monday, 23 November, at 11:00, with Carlo Carrenho’s lecture “Audiobooks Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” Drawing on his experience across international publishing markets, Carrenho will examine the development of audio publishing and its opportunities for the book industry.
The afternoon will turn to reading promotion. At 15:00, Alenka Kepic Mohar, Manca Perko and Sabina Fras Popović will discuss Slovenian reading campaigns, followed at 16:00 by a conversation on initiatives to encourage reading with Jana Bauer, Barbara Pregl and Anže Miš. Both panels will be moderated by Miha Kovač.
Tuesday, 24 November, will focus on artificial intelligence and publishing. At 11:00, Nadim Sadek, founder and CEO of Shimmr AI, will explore AI’s relationship with publishing and book promotion in a session moderated by Miha Kovač. At 12:00, Mitja Jermol of the Jožef Stefan Institute and the International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) will offer a further perspective on the subject.
Two afternoon panels will connect international developments with local challenges. At 16:00, Nadim Sadek, Carlo Carrenho and Miha Kovač will discuss AI in global publishing. At 17:00, a panel organised with IRCAI will address the challenges facing Slovenian publishers, bringing together Mitja Ličen, Samo Rugelj, Mitja Jermol and Senja Požar, with Miha Kovač moderating.
On Wednesday, 25 November, at 11:00, Marta Hedener, Publishing Director at Storyside, part of the Storytel Group, will share perspectives from international audiobook publishing. The session will be moderated by Anja Kamenarič, with its title and further details to be announced.
The academy concludes on Thursday, 26 November, with two conversations on the fair’s main stage, presented in cooperation with Germany, this year’s Guest of Honour. At 15:00, German author Josi Wismar will speak with Anja Kamenarič, bringing the relationship between authors, social media and reading communities into focus. At 18:00, Juergen Boos, former Director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, and Katja Stergar will join moderator Jaka Gerčar for a conversation connecting Slovenian and international publishing perspectives.
Sessions from Monday to Wednesday will take place in the Martin Žnidaršič Hall, while Thursday’s conversations will be held on the fair’s main stage.
Coordinated by Beletrina and co-funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme, ThinkPub supports professional development across the European publishing sector through training, international exchange and an online Library of Digital Learning Objects. The Ljubljana academy brings this shared knowledge into a local context, creating opportunities to learn from colleagues, discuss challenges and develop new approaches to publishing.
23–26 November 2026 | Slovenian Book Fair, Ljubljana
Explore the full programme on Beletrina’s website (in Slovenian).