The JBC Network offers Jewish authors, authors on Jewish content, and authors on Jewish-interest a unique platform to market and promote their books to a targeted Jewish audience. The program connects authors to JBC Network member sites across North America at Jewish Book Council’s annual Network Conference each spring. Following the conference, Network sites make author event requests for either virtual or in-person events and Jewish Book Council coordinates all event logistics. JBC Network member sites cover travel and lodging expenses, if it is an in-person event, and host a sale of the author’s book at the event in their community, but the author receives no honorarium for their appearance. Authors are not guaranteed events. Participating authors are included in Jewish Book Council’s annual Authors on Tour book which is distributed to all JBC Network member sites and receives exposure on the Jewish Book Council website. For information contact suzanne@jewishbooks.org.
The JBC Network — with roughly 130 member organizations across North America, including JCCs, synagogues, Hillels, Jewish Federations, and cultural centers —provides over 250 authors a platform for sharing their books each year.
JBC Network arranges nearly 1,400 programs, both virtually and in-person, for our member sites, including special family programming with children’s book authors around holidays, Sunday school, or camp; cooking demos and conversations about food and Jewish identity with cookbook authors; One Book, One Community programs featuring an author that has written on a meaningful topic for the community; Yom HaShoah programming with authors of recent Holocaust memoirs, fiction, and history; events with LGBTQ+ activist authors; intimate book clubs and salon experiences; deep dives into contemporary Jewish practice and ritual; mindfulness workshops; and so much more.
Additionally, Jewish Book Council holds a conference for JBC Network member sites and authors. The event includes the chance to hear a two-minute pitch from each participating author, as well as workshops for member sites on running successful book events. Following the event, JBC Network sites make author event requests and Jewish Book Council coordinates scheduling. Jewish Book Council coaches authors for their pitches and provides book program consultation for member sites throughout the year.
The authors and books included in the JBC Network program have been submitted to the program by the author or publisher based on eligibility, which includes publication date and the author or book being of Jewish interest. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement by Jewish Book Council.
Please see below for more details about membership for both event coordinators and authors/publishers, including pricing.
Information for Event Coordinators
As a JBC Network member site, you get access to Jewish Book Council’s network of Jewish-interest authors, as well as extensive resources for running Jewish book festivals, speakers’ series, and cultural events, including book program consultation and professional networking. Membership additionally includes a discount on booking authors through our Read On program.
At the JBC Network Conference held each spring, over 250 authors make two-minute pitches for their books. Following the event, sites submit their author requests for either virtual or in-person events and Jewish Book Council coordinates events. Sites do not pay an honorarium for authors who do an event but must cover an author’s travel and lodging expenses and host a sale of the author’s book. Guidelines, pricing, and registration can be found on the registration link on the right-hand side of the page or here.
If you are a current Network member site, you can find member-only resources using the “Member Site Resources” link found above.
For any further questions please contact Suzanne Swift at suzanne@jewishbooks.org.