2026 Speakers

2026 details are to be announced and subject to change

Regina Brooks is the CEO of Serendipity Literary Agency, the largest African American–owned agency in the U.S., and President of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA). She co-produces the People of Publishing Conference, helped found Literary Agents of Change, and serves on the boards of AWP and the National Book Foundation. Highlighted in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today, Brooks represents  NYT bestsellers and clients  who have earned Newbery, Caldecott, Edgar, and National Book Award honors. A Publishers Weekly “Top 5 Publishing Professional of the Year,” she also holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from The Ohio State University.

Debbie Clayman is the Director of Global Rights and Speaking Services at Lynn Johnston Literary, where she is dedicated to amplifying authors’ voices and bringing their work to audiences around the world. She began her career in finance and media before transitioning to publishing, bringing with her a unique perspective on the business of books. She is an active member of AALA and serves on the People of Publishing Conference Committee. Outside of publishing, Debbie coaches runners with the Ulman Foundation’s Cancer to 5K program, helping young adult cancer survivors regain strength, confidence, and community through movement.

Susanna Einstein started her publishing career in editorial at Warner Books (now Grand Central Publishing), and then worked as a literary and film scout for Maria B. Campbell Associates before becoming an agent in 2005, working first at LJK Literary, then at Einstein Thompson Agency, and then running Einstein Literary Management for ten years. She grew up in NYC and now lives in NJ with her family.

Alexandra Franklin joined Curtis Brown in 2023 as an associate in the dramatic rights department and as an associate agent in the books department. She was previously an assistant at Writers House and then an associate agent at Vicky Bijur Literary Agency. Alexandra serves on the AALA’s Communications committee as well as the People of Publishing Conference planning committee.

Lynn Johnston has been a literary agent for more than 20 years, specializing in serious and practical nonfiction. Her clients include Pulitzer Prize winners, thought leaders from top universities, and prominent journalists such as Kyra Phillips, Elizabeth Cohen, and Tara Parker-Pope. She has represented numerous New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers, with books earning recognition from The Washington Post, Porchlight, IACP, and the Audie Awards. Lynn serves on the board of the Association of American Literary Agents, where she co-founded the People of Publishing Conference. She holds an MBA and lives in New York City.

Eva Scalzo has a B.A. in the Humanities from the University of Puerto Rico and a M.A. in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College. Eva has been reading romance since the fifth grade when she discovered the Sweet Valley High series. She has been with Speilburg Literary since 2013, and started accepting clients in 2017. Eva is a member of the AALA and SCBWI. She serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the AALA Newsletter, co-chair of the Social Media Subcommittee and is also a member of the Communications and People of Publishing Committees.