Upcoming
There are currently no upcoming public events scheduled.
New talks, panels, and conference appearances will be announced here.
Past
Poletna šola CLMCE: skupnosti, oboževalske kulture in materialnost
Prostori branja: otroške knjigarne kot kulturni in čustveni prostori
Lecture at Academy of Sciences and Literature, Mainz
04 08. 2026, 10:00 – 11:00
This lecture explored children’s bookstores as cultural, educational, community, and emotional environments that shape children’s relationships with books and reading. Drawing on my professional and research experience with the bookstore of Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, the talk developed into a comparative examination of seven specialist children’s bookstores across Europe. Based on qualitative case studies and interviews conducted with bookstores in Slovenia, France, Serbia, Germany, Italy, Norway, and the Czech Republic, it investigated how different models of children’s bookselling understood and practised their cultural and mediating roles.
The lecture examined recurring themes including the missions of children’s bookstores, spatial design and atmosphere, book selection and recommendation, the role of the children’s bookseller, cultural and educational programming, relationships with local communities and institutions, and the balance between cultural work and economic sustainability. Particular attention was given to the human, sensory, and emotional qualities of physical bookstores and to their capacity to offer children personal encounters, unexpected discoveries, and positive memories of books and reading that digital platforms and algorithmic recommendation systems cannot easily reproduce.
By the Book 11, Academic Conference
From Fan Art to Book Marketing: Harnessing Fandom Creativity
Presentation at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
24. 06. 2026, 11:40 – 12:00
This presentation explored how participatory culture is reshaping contemporary publishing by turning readers into active creators. Focusing on fan-generated content, such as fan art, fiction, and digital media, it examined how publishers incorporate these practices into marketing strategies to drive audience engagement. Drawing on qualitative analysis of publisher campaigns and fan works, the paper identified key patterns in how different genres, formats, and platforms influence the use and success of fandom-based marketing.
In addition to the presentation, I was also the chair of the Translation Studies Session.
Professional Seminar for Employees of Mladinska knjiga, Held in Slovenian
Artificial Intelligence in Publishing: Challenges, Opportunities, and Practices
Organized by Mladinska knjiga
22. 05. 2026, 11:00 – 12.00
As part of the professional seminar for employees of Mladinska knjiga publishing house and bookstore network, Dr. Miha Kovač and I delivered the plenary lecture Artificial Intelligence in Publishing, exploring current challenges, opportunities, and practical applications of AI in the international publishing industry. I presented the results of an international survey of 250 publishing professionals, offering insight into the opinions of editors, copyright sales and acquisition professionals, and publishing executives regarding the use of AI, with a particular focus on the acceptability of AI in literary translation. I also examined how the world’s “Big Five” publishing groups are implementing AI across editorial, production, and marketing processes.
In addition, I gave a short presentation showcasing a practical creative application of AI, demonstrating how our students used generative AI tools to create book covers based on text excerpts from a publishing catalogue.
Seminar on E-books and Audio Books, Held in Slovenian
How Books Find Readers (and Publishers Make Money): Successful Stories from Abroad
Organized by the Slovenian Book Agency
06. 05. 2026, 12.15 – 13.00
How do books find readers today, and how do publishers actually make money from them? This talk explored practical marketing strategies behind the discovery of e-books and audiobooks, using real-world examples from smaller international markets to highlight what truly works and what can be adapted locally. It also offers a grounded look at monetization, comparing key business models (sales, subscriptions, libraries, and direct-to-consumer channels).
I also served as the moderator of the event, introducing the speakers and providing the opening and closing remarks.
Bologna Children’s Book Fair
Translation Market Dynamics Across Europe and the Evolving Role of Publishing and AI
Panel at BBPLUS stage
15. 04. 2026, 10:45 – 11:30
This panel marked the launch of Books in Translation: Trends and Transformations in the European Translation Market, bringing together its co-authors Miha Kovač, Rüdiger Wischenbart, Yana Genova and Anja Kamenarič, moderated by Emma House. The discussion highlighted key findings from the report, including contrasting trends in translation markets across Europe, the growing impact of English-language reading on local translation ecosystems, the challenges of collecting reliable translation data, and the role of public funding in sustaining diversity in translated publishing. Together, the panel explored what these developments mean for the future of translation, publishing policy, and European book markets.
Thinking Literature in Translation. A ThinkPub Conference
A Snapshot of the European Translation Market. Trends, Developments and Challenges
Presentation at Alma Alter Hall, Sofia University, Bulgaria
13. 11. 2025, 10:00
The opening session of the Thinking Literature in Translation conference organized by Next Page provided a concise overview of current trends, challenges, and structural dynamics in the European translation market, closely aligned with the findings of the ThinkPub Translation Report. Speakers Anja Kamenarič, Miha Kovač, and Yana Genova highlighted the continued dependency of smaller markets on translations, the dominance of English as a source language, and the persistent imbalance in cross-European literary exchange, while also addressing emerging factors such as digital platforms, social media influence, and AI. Framed within the broader conference theme of literary export and market access, the discussion emphasized the importance of funding schemes, international visibility, and professional networks in shaping translation flows, positioning translation as both a cultural and economic driver in contemporary European publishing.
International Challenges of Authorship and Copyright in the Era of AI, International Translation Symposium of the Slovenian Association of Literary Translators (DSKP)
Smart translation or deception? What publishers think about AI
Presentation at Vodnik Homestead Šiška, Slovenija
24. 10. 2025, 15:20
AI tools such as ChatGPT and DeepL have quickly established themselves as a shortcut for preparing sample translations, which are crucial for selling copyrights. But how do those who decide on book purchases and publications feel about this? In what ways are publishers already using AI in their work? An international survey of 250 publishing professionals offers insight into the opinions of editors, copyright sales and acquisition professionals, and publishing executives on the use of AI, with a focus on the acceptability of using AI for literary translation. The presentation showed in which types of translations publishing experts see room for the use of AI and where the line is strictly drawn. The presentation offered insights into the current state of the international publishing market, provided an overview of opinions from the field, and encouraged discussion on how translators can actively shape the future of their profession.
Frankfurt Book Fair
How Books Travel Today. Exploring Trends and Developments in the European Markets for Translated Books.
Centre Stage (Hall 4.1, B68), Frankfurt, Germany
16. 10. 2025, 13:00
How have literary translations in Europe changed over the last decade? How has the ongoing transformation of the book industry impacted translations? The forthcoming Books in Translation will uniquely compile a wide range of historical and current data from large and small markets across Europe, providing a comprehensive overview of this highly relevant cultural industry.
dr. Miha Kovač and Anja Kamenarič from Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, Rüdiger Wischenbart, consultant and analyst spoke with moderator Yana Genova, cultural consultant and researcher about the continued dependency of smaller markets on translations, the dominance of English as a source language, and the persistent imbalance in cross-European literary exchange, while also addressing emerging factors such as digital platforms, social media influence, and AI.
Organised by the Slovenian Book Agency in cooperation with ThinkPub/Creative Europe and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport of Austria.
Innovations in Publishing – 2025 Symposium,
Organized by the Innovations in Publishing Research Hub at London College of Communication, UAL
From Story to Experience: How AI is Transforming Reading and Book Promotion
Online presentation for IPRH at London College of Communication, University of the Arts London
16. 09. 2025, 11:40
I was invited to speak at the online symposium based on my By the Book 10 presentation, where I presented an adapted version of my research on the use of AI in publishing and reader engagement. The talk explored how AI tools can enrich reading experiences and support book promotion in an increasingly competitive digital environment, highlighting applications such as character chatbots, AI-generated soundscapes, interactive storytelling, and gamification. It also provided practical insights into how publishers can use these tools to attract audiences, foster deeper engagement, and promote new titles. In addition, the presentation addressed current limitations, including accessibility and the need to balance technological innovation with creative integrity, while outlining the growing impact of AI on the future of publishing.
University of Warsaw
Current Issues in Publishing Studies
International Summer School
15. 09. – 19. 09. 2025
I attended the Current Issues in Publishing Studies International Summer School at the University of Warsaw, an intensive programme designed for doctoral students and early-career researchers in publishing studies. The summer school brought together international scholars and participants to explore key contemporary debates in the field, including digital transformation, AI in publishing, social media influence, and questions of diversity and sustainability. It provided a valuable opportunity to deepen my understanding of the publishing ecosystem, receive feedback on research, and engage in interdisciplinary discussions on the evolving role of publishing in cultural and academic contexts.
By the Book 10, Academic Conference
From Story to Experience: How AI is Transforming Reading and Book Promotion
Presentation at Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
25. 06. 2025, 11:20
This presentation explored how AI tools can enhance reading experiences and support book promotion in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. It highlighted applications such as character chatbots, AI-generated soundtracks, interactive storytelling, and gamification, demonstrating their potential to make reading more engaging, immersive, and socially interactive. The presentation also offered practical examples of how publishers can use these tools to build audiences, deepen reader engagement, and promote new titles, emphasizing AI’s growing role in expanding the reach and appeal of literature. It further discussed current limitations and challenges, including technological accessibility and the balance between automation and creativity. Overall, it positioned AI as a rapidly evolving toolset with significant implications for the future of publishing and reader engagement.