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Featured Speakers & Events

Throughout the year, we host a variety of events that are perfect for connecting with industry professionals and gaining valuable insights into the world of publishing. Whether you're interested in writing, editing, marketing, or any other aspect of the industry, these events provide a unique opportunity to network and learn from the best in the business.

York Lectures in Publishing Annual Guest Series



November 19, 2025
Ai Jiang, Author Of Linghun + Pia Singhal, Editor At ECW Press

This special event brings together fantasy and horror author Ai Jiang in conversation with fantasy and horror editor Pia Singhal. You’ll get to hear about genre publishing from both sides of the table: how to write, get an agent, and get your book published, but also how to acquire, how to edit, and how to get a book on store shelves. If you want to write a fantasy, horror, or science fiction book of your own – or if you want to be an editor in the publishing industry who works on these awesome projects – this is a rare opportunity to meet two talented industry heroes who can give you the full picture.



April 1, 2025
Navid Khavari, Narrative Director At Ubisoft

Navid has turned his passion for games and storytelling into a high-profile career in video game narrative design. This is an exciting opportunity for students to discover how to break into the video game industry as a professional writer. Many students are deeply interested in gaming, but it’s an intimidating and mysterious industry – how do you get involved in creating and publishing games? Navid is exactly the person to dispel these mysteries and to help students get their foot in the digital door.



March 15, 2024
Leslie Ahenda, Assistant Editor At House Of Anansi + Hilary Lo,
Assistant Editor At Penguin Random House Canada

How do you break into the publishing industry? Leslie Ahenda and Hilary Lo just did it – and they’re here to tell you how you can follow in their footsteps. How do you get an internship? How do you graduate from Editorial Assistant to Assistant Editor? What is it like to work at a Big 5 publishing company as opposed to an indie press? Leslie and Hilary will give you a fresh perspective on what it takes to get hired right now.

Workshop and Q&A Series

Past Guests

January 15, 2025
Deirdre Molina, Senior Managing Editor at Penguin Random House Canada

January 25, 2025
Erin Cooper, Senior Typesetter at Penguin Random House Canada

February 5, 2025
Amanda Ferreira, Editor at Penguin Random House Canada

February 20, 2025
Carli Hansen, Acquisitions Editor at University of Toronto Press

March 5, 2025
Ian Flynn, author of Mega Man and Sonic the Hedgehog

March 15, 2025
Nadia Ragbar, author of The Pugilist and the Sailor

January 31, 2024
Cody Caetano, Literary Agent at CookeMcDermid

January 17, 2024
Kate Sinclair, Cover Designer at Penguin Random House

February 14, 2024
Joe Lee, Publishing Manager at McClelland & Stewart

September 18, 2024
Jieun Lee, Editor and Project Manager at Annick Press

October 9, 2024
Siobhan Nadaf, Publicity Assistant at Simon & Schuster

October 26, 2023
Serina Mercier, Marketing Director at Sutherland House Books

October 18, 2023
Melanie Tutino, Senior Editor at Doubleday

November 8, 2023
Cayley Pimentel, Senior Publicist at Simon & Schuster

Upcoming Guests

October 8, 2025
Evelyn Elgie, Assistant Publisher at Inanna Publications

October 30, 2025
Shalomi Ranasinghe, Managing Editor at Sutherland House

November 12, 2025
Thea Lim, author of An Ocean of Minutes

Questions?

Please contact Professor Matt Bucemi at mbucemi@yorku.ca for more information and to RSVP for upcoming events.