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Let books be.This week kicks off Banned Books Week, an annual observance that began more than 40 years ago in response t...
10/06/2026

Let books be.

This week kicks off Banned Books Week, an annual observance that began more than 40 years ago in response to a sudden surge in attempts to censor or remove books from libraries, schools, and bookstores.

Sound familiar?

Today, libraries continue to face record numbers of challenges to the books on their shelves. Contrary to common narratives suggesting that concerned parents are driving these challenges, data from ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom suggests otherwise: 92 percent of these challenges came from pressure groups and government officials in 2025.

For this year’s Banned Books Week, we remind our communities that a handful of people running organized censorship campaigns should not be allowed to dictate what the rest of us can read, and that the joy and creativity of reading is not only an act of resistance, but a freedom that must be protected.

Find ways to get involved and spread the word, plus censorship data and events throughout the week, at https://bit.ly/4yvixbB.

**THIS THURSDAY, 10/8, at 5:30 p.m. (PT)**Did you know...PPN’s monthly Meetup began in 2019 as an informal gathering of ...
10/06/2026

**THIS THURSDAY, 10/8, at 5:30 p.m. (PT)**

Did you know...

PPN’s monthly Meetup began in 2019 as an informal gathering of publishing professionals at alternating locations. With the onset of the pandemic, we moved the group online, and it became what we now call Zoom Meetups.

We’ve relaunched the in-person Meetup (held at rotating Bay Area locations on the third Thursday of the month) and continue our popular online Meetup on the second Thursday of each month. Both Meetups offer a standing opportunity to share insights, experience, and wit in friendly, supportive gatherings.

Follow us to stay up to date on upcoming events, relevant news, and opportunities to get involved with us—and our industry partners!

Meetups are FREE and open to all those involved in the book publishing industry or curious about how to get started.

Please register to secure your place. We look forward to seeing you at this week’s Zoom Meetup—but you’re welcome to attend all future Meetups, whichever way works best!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ppn-october-zoom-meetup-virtual-tickets-2002970030279

**TODAY (MONDAY) AT 1 PM (PT)**It’s last-minute, but definitely worth the effort! Judy Baker was one of the select prese...
09/28/2026

**TODAY (MONDAY) AT 1 PM (PT)**

It’s last-minute, but definitely worth the effort! Judy Baker was one of the select presenters at the last PPN Annual Conference in April.

Register for this FREE masterclass now!
https://onebookmasterclass.buzzworthybooks.com/

**SAVE THE DATE**Mark your calendar for our next Noon Zoom on Wednesday, October 21, featuring tech writer and language ...
09/26/2026

**SAVE THE DATE**

Mark your calendar for our next Noon Zoom on Wednesday, October 21, featuring tech writer and language aficionado Mike Pope, author of ”Crash Blossoms, Eggcorns, Mondegreens & Mountweazels: 101 Terms About Language That You Didn’t Know You Needed.”

He’ll highlight the key advantages and disadvantages of Word docs versus Google Docs—something editors love debating.

Yet you don’t have to be an editor or writer to be fascinated by how these two word-processing platforms compare. Who doesn’t use one or both in their daily lives? Regardless of preference, you’ll definitely learn something new… and maybe, just maybe, be converted!

Here are some compare-and-contrast topics we’ll dive into:

• Advanced layout & formatting depth vs. streamlined simplicity
• Native desktop reliability vs. cloud-first architecture
• Collaboration & sharing workflows
• Cost & licensing

About
Mike Pope spent his career in technical documentation, working as a writer and editor for companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. He’s also developed and taught courses for engineers and other professionals on topics including the unique challenges of technical writing and the fun(!) of using styles in Microsoft Word. Now retired, Mike still uses word processing and text tools every day in his ongoing language studies.

Register now for this FREE one-hour webinar!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ppn-noon-zoom-google-docs-vs-word-with-tech-writer-author-mike-pope-tickets-2002349876382

**INTERESTED IN CHILDREN'S BOOK PUBLISHING?**The FREE event is this Thursday... I’m super excited to share that my lovel...
09/21/2026

**INTERESTED IN CHILDREN'S BOOK PUBLISHING?**

The FREE event is this Thursday...

I’m super excited to share that my lovely friend (and fellow California College of the Arts alum), author/illustrator Lily Williams, will be the guest speaker for PPN’s September 24 Noon Zoom (part of our professional development series).

She’ll focus on the exciting world of children’s book publishing, including what it takes to get a graphic novel published. (Her latest graphic novel, published just last month, is ”Exposures,” which addresses the issue of OCD.)

This event is FREE and open to the public, and both she and I would love to see you "on the big screen."

Please register now to secure your place.

https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=1999186572856

**THIS THURSDAY**Come join us for PPN's monthly happy-hour Meetup this Thursday, September 17, at Drake’s Dealership, lo...
09/16/2026

**THIS THURSDAY**

Come join us for PPN's monthly happy-hour Meetup this Thursday, September 17, at Drake’s Dealership, located in Oakland’s festive uptown neighborhood, a mere five blocks from the 19th Street BART station, where you’ll meet your publishing industry peeps!

Turn off Zoom, relax outside, and enjoy a b**r or soda with some of your local publishing peeps. It’s the perfect opportunity to make connections, enjoy the remaining hot weather, and discover what PPN, Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), and Bay Area Women in Publishing (BAWiP) are all up to.

The publishing community is one of the friendliest, most supportive, and noticeably generous of professional groups.

Registration is requested (not required):

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ppn-in-person-meetup-at-drakes-dealership-tickets-1999238835174?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you want to support PPN, consider becoming a member:

https://pubpronetwork.org/membership-account/membership-checkout/

See you Thursday!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!Thursday, September 24, noon (PT)Children’s Book Publishing with Illustrator & Author Lily WilliamsW...
09/11/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Thursday, September 24, noon (PT)

Children’s Book Publishing with Illustrator & Author Lily Williams

We’re thrilled to present our September Noon Zoom featured guest, award-winning children’s book illustrator and author Lily Williams, a 2021 Eisner Award nominee (Best Publication for Kids) and a 2020 Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist.

Her impressive client list includes Macmillan Publishing, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins Publishers, Sony Pictures, and Warner Brothers Animation. She’s eager to discuss her latest book, “Exposures” (Macmillan).

Lily will shed light on various processes within the children’s book publishing industry:

• Acquisitions
• Manuscript editing & preparation
• Pitching & submissions
• Publicity
• Sales & marketing

We’ll leave plenty of time for a robust Q&A so attendees can get answers to their questions about this exciting and creative side of book publishing.

Want to suggest a topic or speaker? We want to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected].

All Noon Zooms are free and open to the public, subject to space availability. To secure your place, please register in advance.

Lily Williams is a critically acclaimed storyteller and a writer, illustrator, and filmmaker. She seeks to inspire change through education and believes in the power of making information both fun and accessible to all audiences. Lily grew up in Northern California, where she earned her BFA in Animation. She worked in Los Angeles as a visual development artist on feature film animation before becoming a freelance illustrator.

When she isn’t creating children’s books, Lily teaches public-school art. She lives in Colorado with her husband, C. Grey Hawkins, a fellow illustrator.

Visit Lily’s website at https://lilywilliamsart.com to learn more.

Register now for this FREE event!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/childrens-book-publishing-with-authorillustrator-lily-williams-tickets-1999186572856?aff=oddtdtcreator

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