Printed Word Reviews packs ALA booth with author signings and book displays

Printed Word Reviews drew crowds to Booth 4722 at the 2026 American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago with a daylong series of author signings. The booth is also displaying new titles, including a poetry audiobook by stroke survivor Terence Ang that uses AI to recreate his pre-aphasia voice.

Why it matters: - Printed Word Reviews used the ALA Annual Conference to put independent and traditionally published books in front of librarians, educators and readers who help shape library collections. - The booth also highlighted accessibility and innovation, including a poetry audiobook built around AI voice recreation.

What happened: - Printed Word Reviews hosted back-to-back book signings on June 28, 2026, at Booth 4722 during the American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago. - Publisher Ted Olczak hosted the event. - The signing lineup included eight authors spanning children’s books, memoir, business, fantasy, sci-fi and literary fiction. - The booth drew hundreds of attendees who lined up early and stayed through the afternoon.

The details: - Janet Skrzypek opened the day at 10 a.m. with bilingual books focused on animal conservation and English-Spanish literacy. - Jessica Nicole McAnelly signed copies of Birdie’s Picnic Party: A Tasty Take on Food Safety at 10:30 a.m. The book teaches nutrition, friendship and kindness. - Kathleen Welton followed at 11 a.m. with Be WHOO You Are, illustrated by Nuno Alexandre Vieira. The book follows an owl named Ollie through themes of self-discovery, kindness and individuality. - Nancy W. signed at 11:30 a.m. and ran out of books within minutes. - Nancy W. also handed out branded T-shirts tied to Dear G-d, a memoir about addiction, despair and transformation. - Victoria Basil drew a large lunch-hour crowd with Star People’s Wisdom, a channeled guide for spiritual seekers. - Jim Reiman signed at 12:30 p.m. and talked with librarians about where Redefining Negotiation fits in library collections. - Redefining Negotiation focuses on collaboration, active listening and relationship management in professional negotiation. - Debra Sawdy signed Finn’s Adventures, a debut series centered on curiosity, courage and nature. - Wil Leslie signed Time Plan, a time-travel thriller blending history, romance and conspiracy. - Printed Word Reviews said more book resources, author interviews and literary guides remain available through the company’s website and social channels. - The company’s website is official website. - The company also pointed readers to its Instagram page.

Between the lines: - The event was as much a collection-building showcase as a marketing push, with librarians directly asking where certain titles belong on shelves. - Printed Word Reviews framed the booth as a way to connect authors with the library professionals who influence discoverability and long-term readership. - The conference display also leaned into a broader trend: books that blend publishing with technology, accessibility and multimedia presentation.

What's next: - Book displays will continue at Booth 4722 for the rest of the show. - Featured titles now on display include Terence Ang’s Brokenness Becomes Beautiful, a poetry audiobook featuring a digital clone of his pre-aphasia voice created with AI. - Other displayed books include Jenn Todling’s Dancing on My Own Two Feet, Sarah Barry’s 9 Habits of Happy Retirees, John Abrams’ From Founder to Future, Paul Kluge’s Vietnam Re-Visits series and Roselyn Teukolsky’s thrillers THE FOURTH WOMAN and A Reluctant Spy. - Printed Word Reviews will continue promoting its featured authors and titles through its website and social channels.

The bottom line: - Printed Word Reviews turned ALA into a high-traffic showcase for authors, librarians and collection decision-makers, while using the booth to spotlight books with broad commercial and educational appeal.