bookcon2015BookCon is showcasing diversity in its 2015 event in a partnership with We Need Diverse Books. BookCon will take place May 30-31 at the Javits Center in New York City.

We Need Diverse Books will hold two panels, the first of which includes Hugo Award winners Kameron Hurley (The Mirror Empire) and Ken Liu (The Paper Menagerie), World Fantasy Award winner Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death), Daniel Jose Older (Shadowshaper) and Joe Monti (Executive Editor of Saga Press). Their panel will be a “moderated conversation about the role diversity plays in the genre, their works and their influences,” according to ReedPOP.

The second panel will feature 2014 National Book Award winner for Young People’s Literature, Jacqueline Woodson (Brown Girl Dreaming), Sherman Alexie (Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian), Libba Bray (The Diviners), David Levithan (Two Boys Kissing) and Meg Medina (Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass).

“We’re thrilled that BookCon and We Need Diverse Books are teaming up once again to connect fans with a broader range of voices in the publishing industry,” said Brien McDonald, Show Manager of BookCon, in a release. “These panels will once again move the conversation of diversity in books forward and highlight authors who are addressing this head on with their fantastic work.”

Diversity in books has been a hot topic throughout 2014. The goal of We Need Diverse books is to shine a light on book that showcase LGBTQIA, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities.

“There is no moment in your childhood more important than when you recognize yourself in a book,” said author Sherman Alexie. “Diverse literature teaches diverse kids that their lives matter.”

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