Earlier this year, over 25,000 readers crammed into Hall 3 for BookCon, Reed Pop’s bookish Comic Con at the Javits Center in NYC. The enthusiasm and general love of all things books was palpable. Attendees traded bookmarks and stickers, followed new social media accounts, and hopefully, made some new bookish friends.
Aside from the social aspect, a few standout titles were in high demand. Readers demonstrated this enthusiasm by either lining up hours early for ARC drops (advanced reader’s copies). That, or excitedly asking the publishing booth workers for details.
We spoke with publishing professionals after the dust settled to ask which books they felt did well among the crowds. Get a feel for the buzz by pre-ordering these titles at your local bookstores or requesting them from your library.
Bindery Books:
Bindery Books marketers CJ Alberts and co-founder Matt Kaye say there are two clear winners. What Feeds Below by Tatiana Schlote Bonne and Twig’s Traveling Tomes by Gryffin Murphy. CJ writes, “Both of those titles are supported by major tastemakers.”
What Feeds Below was acquired by Naomi Darling, and Twig’s Traveling Tomes by Meg Hood. Both of these tastemakers have large and fanatical online communities. Since their acquisition, both have created content about the book’s journey, generating significant early buzz and interest. “We had 200-300 people lined up for the ARC drops for both titles during Book Con, and social showed these were some readers’ most anticipated drops of the entire BookCon weekend.”
From his conversations with readers at the con, Matt Kaye writes that there was such “wild enthusiasm” for these titles for two reasons. “Tatiana Schlote Bonne, author of What Feeds Below, has developed a cult following among horror readers. With Naomi’s promotion, What Feeds Below is shaping up to be her major breakout. ‘Cozy Romantasy’ looks to be the next major genre trend and, with Meg Hood’s promotion, Twig’s Traveling Tomes has become one of the most anticipated books in that genre.”
IDW/Top Shelf
One of the most colorful booths with a variety of trades and collections was IDW and Top Shelf. They publish franchises such as Star Trek and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Under their indie comic arm, they’ve published works by George Takei, John Lewis, and G. Willow Wilson. When asked what the biggest titles readers were the most excited about at BookCon, publicist Kim Estlund wrote, “Many of the attendees I interacted with were horror fans, so I directed them to both Pig Wife and Shadowplay – selling together multiple times. While they have very different art styles, both are YA and more psychological horror, so even those who were new to graphic novels were immediately intrigued.”
She adds, “I was pleasantly surprised to see the response to our licensed titles – Godzilla, Star Trek, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! BookCon was well-attended by women, and I found many purchased the licensed titles for their husbands or sons.”
Blackstone
Blackstone is one of the fastest-growing publishers. Known for thriller authors such as Jeneva Rose and legendary horror author R.L. Stine, Blackstone’s booth was packed at BookCon. One publicist on the team, Emily Afifi, believes their collector’s editions and signed copies drew in readers. That, plus their thriller-genre mystery bag totes, which sold out. As for titles that did particularly well, Afifi highlighted Monica Murphy’s When Sparks Fly.
“Romance readers at the convention flocked to this book for its vibrant, playful cover and floral sprayed edges. And [the] sweltering love story with a healthy heaping of spice. The title isn’t officially released until May 26th, so the ability for readers to get their hands on the book early definitely contributed to its success. Overall, I noticed many BookCon attendees (mainly women) searching for their next early-summer read. Fun, flirty, light-hearted romance titles topped the list.”
Walker Books
People know the popular children’s publisher Walker Books for its imprints Candlewick, Holiday House, and Peachtree. They publish award-winning authors readers may have grown up with, such as Kate DiCamillo and Patrick Ness. Maggie Salko, marketing director, said that the upcoming You’re No Better by award-winning author Andrew Joseph White “brought in lots of attention, as his fans were seen everywhere at BookCon!”
Popular for his YA titles with Peachtree Teen, specifically Hell Followed With Us, The Spirit Bares Its Teeth, and Compound Fracture, You’re No Better has all of AJW’s classic horror elements, following the trans son of a serial killer determined to prove that he’s not the man who raised him. The book doesn’t go on sale until October 20th, leaving readers ecstatic to see an early copy on display, as well as collect postcards promoting the book.” Another title readers were clamoring for at the booth was The Lustrous Dark by Loretta Chefchaouni. “Inspired by a Moroccan folktale, The Lustrous Dark is a sweeping YA fantasy. It follows a young midwife’s apprentice who rises to take back the power that’s been stolen from women.”
Another eye-catching title at the booth that played well with Book Con attendees was Devil’s Advocate by Amanda DeWitt. “It follows the daughter of the devil as she fights for her chance to become the Antichrist, in a rich blending of dark comedy and supernatural elements that early readers are calling ‘Lucifer meets Succession.'”
Salko points out that another ARC copy that did well was A (Dead) Thing Like Me by E.G Young. “With a striking cover and hilarious premise (a ghost named HotDog who spends her afterlife unable to speak, but with a deep-set want for a hot dog, specifically with banana peppers), those ARCs were given out within minutes, as was the case with our other drops.”
Sourcebooks
The enthusiasm for Sourcebooks’ booth was clear. With a growing list of bestsellers (Freida McFadden, Ana Huang, Catherine Cowles), readers looked out for an early reader’s copy signed. The line for a giveaway snaked around the booth and zig-zagged through an overflow area of the exhibition floor.
Sourcebook’s popularity didn’t extend only to the show floor. Siena Konscol, Associate Director of Publicity for Bloom Books and Sourcebooks Casablanca, shared, “One of the most coveted – and most elusive – titles anticipated by romantasy readers was Coiled At The Roots by Scarlett St. Clair, the sexy and scintillating sequel to her critically acclaimed and bestselling feminist urban fantasy Terror At The Gates While ARCs aren’t available yet, Scarlett’s Main Stage panel on romantasy heroines was completely at capacity, and readers flocked to her multiple booth signings asking for photos, signed books and info on what they could expect from Coiled. Many promised to try and meet her again on tour for Coiled in October!
Another romantic suspense that readers showed up at the booth for was The Dark In Her Veins by Sunday Times bestseller M.K. Lobb, according to Brittany Pearlman, Marketing & Publicity Manager, Bloom Books and Sourcebooks Casablanca. “This noir-romantasy with its dramatic cover featuring an enemies-to-lovers plot and sweeping narrative was a major hit for readers looking for their next dark fantasy addiction at both Romantasy ARC Drops on Saturday and Sunday, as well as the Sourcebooks VIP Kickoff Party (on sale August 25 from Sourcebooks Casablanca).”
New Sourcebooks imprint Cosmo Reads’ frontlist title How To Find Love In The Cereal Aisle “demonstrated how hungry readers are for warm-hearted, escapist novels that feel like a ’90s rom-com. Especially as we move into the summer months,” Director of Marketing and Publicity, Cristina Arreola wrote. She also shared, “The ARCs for It’s Not What You Think by Clare Mackintosh were a hot commodity throughout the weekend. A #1 bestseller in the UK, this twisted psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist is generating tons of buzz with media and influencers, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the biggest thrillers of 2026, according to the readers at BookCon!
YA Imprint Sourcebooks Fire also saw huge requests for Flickerstate by F.A. Davidson. Karen Masnica, Director of Marketing & Publicity at Sourcebooks Fire, followed up.
“To entice readers, we offered a free ARC of their choice when buying any YA title in our booth. We had numerous attendees saying they’ll buy ANY book as long as they still get the Flickerstate ARC. It was highly in demand!”
Penguin Random House
Penguin Random House just launched Berkley XO, an imprint designed to publish books with crossover appeal. Associate Director of Publicity Liz Vaughn shared the Berkley XO title that readers clamored for at BookCon. “Reap & Sow drew strong interest at BookCon, with attendees eager to meet Charlotte Plumb. Its dark, romantic premise, a girl striking a dangerous deal with a demon to save her brothers, captured attention. Particularly around the high-stakes tension and chemistry between Eda and the demon.”
What books are you most excited to read this summer?
Brianna Robinson is a book publicist and Sarah Lawrence College alum. She lives in New York with too many books and two enthusiastic dachshunds. You can find her on twitter @blrobins2.
