AALA People of Publishing Conference 2026

Literary agents, authors, editors and publishers all gathered in New York for the Association of American Literary Agents’ (AALA) second annual People of Publishing Conference. The AALA People of Publishing Conference is a premier gathering designed to bring together literary agents, editors, and publishing professionals for meaningful discussions, networking, and professional development. This event is sponsored and planned by the Association of American Literary Agents. The 2026 conference was held on September 30 at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

It was a heated conference this year to be sure, with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret resigned from the AALA over the decision to allow paid editorial, marketing and web services to authors, b y agents. It’s a contentious issue, to be sure.

“For us, that’s a pretty hard red line—for someone to be paid for doing editorial work and then also being compensated as an agent, whether that’s from their commission or some sort of fee structure,” says DGB partner Michael Bourret.

“One of the great things about being an agent is that the interests of agents and authors are aligned and that’s why we can work in concert together. The changes that they’re making are taking away that alignment and making it so that there are ways that agents can profit when authors don’t,” Bourret added.

AALA has allowed agents to charge non-clients for editing since 2022. The organization says its revised ethics rules prohibit agents from conditioning representation on the purchase of services and include safeguards intended to protect authors. Agents are not permitted to charge clients for edits they make while preparing manuscripts for submission.

AALA president Regina Brooks said no other members have resigned as a result of the changes.

Read the whole story at Publishers Weekly.

About AALA, the Association of American Literary Agents

The AALA regularly holds panels, educational programs, and social events. Our committees meet monthly to discuss important issues and prepare alerts and announcements on the latest industry developments in areas such as contracts, royalties, and legal practices. AALA serves as the hub for the literary agent community and is a valuable resource for information and networking.

For authors, AALA provides a searchable database of members for writers seeking representation. Members represent authors in all areas of the publishing process, handling the sale of rights through publication, and helping their clients develop successful publishing careers. Authors can be confident that our agents pledge to follow the highest standards of professional conduct in serving the needs of their clients. Agents must agree to adhere to the Bylaws and Canon of Ethics.

The Gailey & Impact Awards

Each year, AALA honors members whose service, leadership, and collaboration strengthen our community and uphold our mission.

The Gailey Award, established in 2022 and named in honor of longtime AALA president Gail Hochman, is the organization’s highest service honor, recognizing members whose steady commitment and generosity have profoundly shaped the Association. →Learn more about the Gailey Award Winners

The AALA Impact Award, introduced in 2025, celebrates members whose behind-the-scenes committee and project work has helped modernize and sustain the Association. → See the Impact Award honorees

Since its founding in 1991, the Association of American Literary Agents has been a leading force in furthering the interests of agents, authors and other rights holders. Through regular educational programming, community-building initiatives, and advocating for agents and authors alike, the volunteer-run organization is dedicated to helping our members maintain and broaden their professional skills in a fast-changing publishing environment. Recognizing the historically exclusive nature of publishing, the AALA is committed to engendering a more diverse, equitable, participatory and inclusive publishing community. Members of the AALA must agree to adhere to its widely respected Canon of Ethics, thus ensuring that our membership maintains the highest standards of ethics and integrity in dealings with and on behalf of our clients and our publishing colleagues.

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