What Should I Read Next? Ep. 543: Behind the scenes of Fall Book Preview 2026
Sep 22, 2026
William Bogle, executive producer and Modern Mrs. Darcy team member, goes behind the scenes of the 2026 Fall Book Preview. He and Anne Bogel trace its journey from trade-show dispatch to team publication, reveal how books are tracked years ahead, and explore curation, publishing delays, design, unboxing, and the value of human judgment in a crowded fall reading season.
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Fall Book Preview Started With A Stack Of Books
- The first Fall Book Preview began in 2019 after Anne Bogel returned from the SEBA trade show with a stack of books and publisher stories.
- She initially presented the books informally, sharing what booksellers and publishing representatives said about upcoming titles.
Book Recommendations Begin Years Before Publication
- Anne Bogel’s recommendations begin years before publication by reviewing catalogs, reading deal announcements, and tracking unnamed projects.
- A shared Books on the Way spreadsheet follows titles from acquisition through their final name, description, and publication date.
A Publication Date Can Reveal A Secret Book Club Pick
- Publishing details can change after a preview is finalized, sometimes because a delayed publication date enables an undisclosed celebrity book-club announcement.
- Anne noticed the timing change and inferred that the book had likely secured a club pick, though the publisher had not announced it yet.
