With special guests
Kristen McGuiness
Lizz Schumer
Hannah Orenstein
Lauren Puckett-Pope
Diana Ventimiglia
Janea Brachfeld
Hillary Povar
Zoë Mahler
Mackenzie Newcomb
Book Magic?
what is
This one-day writers’ retreat will show you what it takes to go from emerging writer to published author, guided by industry professionals who will give you the insight only experience can offer.
Spend a day charting your book—from building your byline to curating your community. Through live Q+As with book editors and coaches, published authors, magazine editors, and influencers, Book Magic will help you find your path to publishing.
When: friday • 2 October 2026
Where: The hotel chelsea • New York, New york
2 October 2026
From 10:00am - 4:00pm
The Hotel Chelsea - 222 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011
10:00am - Introduction by Kristen McGuiness (Founder + CEO of Rise Literary) + Diana Ventimiglia (Publisher of Rise Literary)
10:30am - Build Your Byline with Lizz Schumer (People), Hannah Orenstein (Bustle) + Lauren Puckett-Pope (New York Magazine’s The Cut)
12:00pm - Book Coaching Lunch with Kristen McGuiness, Diana Ventimiglia, Janea Brachfeld (Simon & Schuster) + Hillary Povar (SMITHHOUSE)
2:00pm - Curate Your Community with Zoë Mahler (Book Club for Book Hoes) + Mackenzie Newcomb (Bad Bitch Book Club)
3:30pm - Closing with Kristen McGuiness + Diana Ventimiglia
4:00pm - Cocktails + Mocktails at the Lobby Bar (Cash Bar)
5:00pm - Reception Ends
Event price: $125
|
Event price: $125 |
your guides to
book magic
Co-HOST + Founder
of Rise Literary
Kristen McGuiness is a best-selling author, editor, and long-standing publishing professional. She is the Founder + Publisher of Rise Literary, a book coaching company for authors who are writing the good fight. After spending the first decade of her career working in editorial for Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins, as well as in film development at Warner Brothers, Kristen wrote the bestselling memoir, 51/50: The Magical Adventures of a Single Life, which was featured on the "Today Show" and in USA Today. Since then, she has co-authored dozens of books, including her recent debut novel, Live Through This. Her work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Shondaland, Marie Claire, amongst others. Kristen lives in Ojai, CA with her husband, two children, and a dog named Lucy.
Co-HOST + publisher
of Rise Literary
Diana Ventimiglia is a New York Times bestselling editor, content developer, collaborator, and speaker. For the last 20 years, her passion has been working with authors who speak to the diversity of our lived experiences. She believes that everyone has a story to tell and lessons to share, and the best part of her job is partnering with incredible people who are dedicated to starting bigger conversations and inspiring change. When she's not collaborating with authors, you'll find her working through the 5+ books on her nightstand and yelling at her cat, Phillip, to stop knocking things off the shelf. But he's so cute!!
Before you publish a book, you can start building the credibility—and readership—that will help it find its audience. Join Lizz Schumer, Senior Books Editor at People; Hannah Orenstein, Deputy Lifestyle and Wellness Editor at Bustle; and Lauren Puckett-Pope, Senior Editor for Essays and Columns at New York Magazine’s The Cut, for a candid conversation about turning your ideas and expertise into pitches editors want to read and publish.
Senior Books Editor at People
Lizz Schumer is the senior books editor at People Magazine, where she oversees all book content on all platforms. Prior to taking the helm at People’s books section, she revamped book coverage at Good Housekeeping Magazine where she founded the Good Housekeeping Book Club and the subscription-only GH+ Book Club. She also teaches journalism courses at New York University and offers writing coaching through the New York Writing Room. Lizz is the author of BIOGRAPHY OF A BODY and BUFFALO STEEL. She lives in Brooklyn with her partner and brindle pitbull.
Deputy Lifestyle + Wellness Editor at Bustle
Hannah Orenstein is the deputy editor of lifestyle and wellness at Bustle, and the author of five novels (including, most recently, Maine Characters). Previously, she held editorial roles at Elite Daily and Seventeen, and once had a brief stint as a matchmaker. She splits her time between Brooklyn and Maine.
Senior Editor for Essays + Columns at New York Magazine’s The Cut
Lauren Puckett-Pope is a senior editor overseeing essays and columns at New York Magazine’s The Cut. Previously, she was the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE, where she covered books, movies, TV, music, and art. A graduate of the University of Missouri, Lauren lives in New York City with her husband and dog. She is currently at work on her first novel.
Bring your book idea—and your questions—to the table. Over lunch, join Kristen McGuiness, Founder and CEO of Rise Literary; Diana Ventimiglia, Publisher of Rise Literary; Janea Brachfeld, Director of Client Publisher Services at Simon & Schuster; and Hillary Povar, CCO and EVP of Publicity at SMITHHOUSE, for an intimate, candid conversation about your book and the path to getting it into the world.
Director, Client Publisher Services at Simon & Schuster
Janea Brachfeld is Director of Client Publisher Services at Simon & Schuster, where she works with publishing clients to help bring their books to market. A publishing industry veteran with experience spanning publisher services, sales, and distribution, Janea previously held roles with Storey Publishing and Timber Press as well as Macmillan. She holds an M.S. in Publishing from NYU and has long been involved in the literary community, including work with The Center for Fiction’s Emerging Writers Fellowship and the Goddard Riverside Book Fair.
CCO and EVP of publicity at SMITHHOUSE
Hillary Povar, a seasoned television communications executive, has worked in entertainment publicity, media relations, and talent relations for 15+ years since starting her career at Showtime. During her career, she has launched and contributed to over 60+ original scripted and unscripted series, specials, and events that have covered virtually every major genre in storytelling with some of the biggest and most recognizable personalities in the entertainment industry, including the legendary Norman Lear. She is best known for her unprecedented work as the creative mastermind behind the publicity campaigns and FYC effort for what was originally a quirky, unknown series―Schitt’s Creek―that spectacularly morphed into a television pop culture icon making Emmy Award history.
You don’t need millions of followers to build an audience that matters. You need people who genuinely care about what you have to say. Join Zoë Mahler, founder of Book Club for Book Hoes and the creator behind @nycbookhoe, and Mackenzie Newcomb, founder of Bad Bitch Book Club™, for a conversation about creating a digital presence that feels authentic, cultivating real relationships with readers, and turning online connection into a community that shows up for your work.
Founder of Book Club for Book Hoes
Zoë Mahler is the founder of the Book Club for Book Hoes, a book club community in NYC that reads debut books and supports debut authors. Zoë freelances in community building working with other organizations to start their own book clubs and host literary-themed events. A huge reader herself, Zoë is a lover of all genres but always leans towards a good murder mystery whenever she has a chance. You can find her online at @nycbookhoe and @bookclubforbookhoes.
Founder of the Bad Bitch Book Club™
Mackenzie Newcomb is the founder of Bad Bitch Book Club, a community of readers with over 50,000 members worldwide. Best known for their viral summer camp experience, BBBC has helped countless readers find friendship and connection through books. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and two year old son, Sebastian.
*Photo Credit: David Gahr
Book Magic at the infamous
chelsea hotel
For more than a century, The Hotel Chelsea has been a home and creative playground for writers, artists, musicians, and cultural icons—a place where books were written, ideas took shape, and legendary creative careers unfolded.
We can’t imagine a more magical home for Book Magic: From Page to Platform.
On October 2, we’re bringing together aspiring authors, editors, publishing insiders, and community builders inside this storied New York landmark for a day devoted to your story, your voice, and what comes next.
A room full of writers. A hotel full of literary history. One day to imagine your own next chapter.
“I loved this place, its shabby elegance, and the history it held so possessively… So many had written, conversed, and convulsed in these Victorian dollhouse rooms. So many skirts had swished these worn marble stairs. So many transient souls had espoused, made a mark, and succumbed here.”
PATTI SMITH
Your next chapter begins at Book Magic.
Get your ticket today.