During the third day of Readmagine 25, a discussion took place on professional networks and the role of collaborative initiatives. This session was titled: We are family.
In a recent panel discussion, a distinguished group of leaders from the publishing and tech industries explored the importance of collaboration networks and the role of digital platforms in connecting global communities. The conversation, moderated by José Manuel Anta, Managing Director at the FGEE, brought together Federico Lang, Bookseller and Promoter of the Global Book Crawl initiative; Emma House, Founder of Publishers Without Borders; and Ángel Sáenz de Cenzano, CEO of LinkedIn Spain & Portugal. The panelists offered unique insights into the ways their initiatives leverage technology and community-building to foster deeper connections and collaboration.
Emma House shared the origins of Publishers Without Borders (PWB), a community born out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic. As global travel halted and in-person gatherings ceased, publishers faced isolation and uncertainty about the future. In response, a group of professionals from various countries came together to form a digital space on Facebook where they could connect, share experiences, and offer support. This initial effort provided a lifeline to those feeling disconnected during an incredibly challenging time.
PWB quickly became more than just a support group. It evolved into a dynamic, global network where members could discuss book markets, share resources, and offer each other professional advice. As Emma explained, the group grew to over 5,000 members, with many using it as a space to promote events, seek solutions to common challenges, and build valuable connections. What began as a simple Facebook group soon expanded into WhatsApp communities that facilitated real-time interactions during book fairs and conferences, allowing members to feel less isolated even if they couldn’t be physically present at these events.
PWB’s success lies in its open, supportive nature. While it started as a response to the pandemic, it has become a permanent resource for global collaboration in the publishing world. As Emma noted, PWB also embraced platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn to extend its reach, offering spaces for both light-hearted interactions and professional networking.
Federico Lang’s initiative, the «Global Book Crawl», shares a similar ethos of connection but through a different lens. The Global Book Crawl invites book lovers, booksellers, and readers to come together in cities around the world, exploring local bookstores in a celebratory fashion. As Federico explained, the event is not merely about books but about creating physical and emotional connections among people who share a common love for literature.
In April, for example, Kuala Lumpur hosted its first-ever Global Book Crawl, where independent booksellers gathered, many of whom had never met before. These gatherings allowed participants to discuss common challenges, from staffing to marketing, while also reinforcing the importance of bookstores as community hubs. What started in Spain has now expanded to nearly 20 countries and more than 80 cities, with local booksellers coming together regularly to strengthen their networks, share resources, and foster a sense of community.
Federico’s vision for the Global Book Crawl is not limited to one-off events but aims to create an enduring global network of booksellers who use these events to deepen their connections with local readers. This, he argues, is crucial for the future of independent bookstores, whose success lies not in competing with each other but in recognising their shared challenges and opportunities.
As CEO of LinkedIn Spain & Portugal, Ángel Sáenz de Cenzano offered a unique perspective on the power of professional networking. He reflected on how LinkedIn’s mission to connect professionals worldwide aligns with the goals of both Publishers Without Borders and the Global Book Crawl. Ángel explained that LinkedIn is not just a platform for job seekers but an ecosystem where professionals from all industries, including publishing, can exchange ideas, share knowledge, and uncover new opportunities.
LinkedIn’s ambition to democratize access to professional networks is a core component of its strategy. Ángel emphasized that connections should not be a luxury, but a fundamental aspect of any thriving industry. Just as publishers and booksellers collaborate through PWB and the Global Book Crawl, LinkedIn’s purpose is to provide the infrastructure to nurture those connections. Ángel acknowledged that although LinkedIn has traditionally been associated with industries like tech, finance, and consulting, it is increasingly becoming a platform for a broader range of sectors, including publishing, where professionals can find both business opportunities and personal connections.
Moreover, Ángel recognized the value of smaller communities within LinkedIn, where industry-specific groups can flourish. By providing space for these niche networks to grow, LinkedIn is helping to ensure that professionals in every field can find their place, share resources, and build meaningful relationships.
Throughout the discussion, the panellists agreed that collaboration is not just a luxury but a necessity in today’s interconnected world. Whether through virtual communities like Publishers Without Borders or in-person gatherings facilitated by the Global Book Crawl, the key to thriving in any industry lies in building strong, supportive networks. These networks are not merely about business transactions; they are about creating spaces where people can share ideas, collaborate on solutions, and support one another.
José Manuel Anta, the moderator, aptly summed up the conversation by highlighting how both Emma, Federico, and Ángel’s initiatives demonstrate the power of digital platforms in fostering genuine human connections. In a world where isolation can often feel overwhelming, these collaboration networks remind us that we are never alone—there is always an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together.
The conversation also touched on the future of collaboration networks. Both Publishers Without Borders and the Global Book Crawl plan to continue expanding their reach, using digital platforms to facilitate both local and global connections. Ángel Sáenz de Cenzano’s vision for LinkedIn aligns with these initiatives, as the platform strives to make connections more democratic, accessible, and valuable for professionals in all fields.
As these networks grow, they will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of the publishing industry and beyond. By continuing to build on the foundational principles of connection, collaboration, and community, the panellists believe that the potential for positive change is limitless.
You can follow the rest of the conversation that took place after these initial minutes, which have been reflected in this brief summary, in this video.
Ángel Sáenz de Cenzano is currently LinkedIn’s General Manager for Spain and Portugal. He joined the world’s largest professional social network in 2019, to lead the creation of economic opportunities for every member of the global workforce, reinforcing the company’s leadership during this stage in the digital platforms industry. He combines that role with activities as non-executive director, public speaker, coach, professor.
Previously, and for 16 years, Ángel Sáenz de Cenzano has held various roles at Microsoft, most recently as Director of Enterprise Solutions within the firm’s Board in Spain.
Ángel Sáenz de Cenzano holds a degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (ICADE E-2). He is married and father of four children. He enjoys sports in a multitude of active and passive variants and is also passionate about the culinary universe; it is no coincidence that he has been a member of the Madrid Academy of Gastronomy since 2017.
Emma House is an international publishing consultant. She started her book publishing career at The London Book Fair before joining the UK Publishers Association in 2009. Emma occupied various roles at the PA and finished her tenure at Deputy CEO before establishing her international consultancy.
Emma is the chair of the SNSi coalition for the academic journal publishing sector, vice-chair of the UK Publishing Training Centre and on the advisory board for the Oxford Brookes Centre for International Publishing. She is the co-founder of Publishers Without Borders and a former advisory board member of PublisHer.
Federico Lang is a bookseller at Librería Luces in Málaga, Spain, and founder of the Global Book Crawl, a new international initiative that connects independent bookstores through collaborative literary events. With over 20 years of experience in the book industry, he has worked for international publishers such as Oxford University Press and McGraw-Hill. Federico is deeply committed to promoting reading, cultural dialogue, and the role of bookstores as community hubs, and actively supports innovative projects that highlight the social and cultural impact of independent bookshops.
José Manuel Anta is since july 2024 he Managing Director of the Spanish Book Publishers Federation (FGEE)www.federacioneditores.org
He was former Managing Director of FANDE www.fande.es and the International Publishing Distribution Association (IPDA) www.ipdaweb.org
Graduate in Economics by the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Master in Foreign Trade by CEOE and Postgraduate Course in Market Research at the Autonomous University of Madrid (1995).
Participation as speaker at various conferences and seminars on the field of books and print media trade: Congreso Interamericano de Editores, Congreso Iberoamericano de Libreros, Foro Internacional de Edición FIL Guadalajara, Frankfurt Supply Chain Specialist Meeting, Distripress Congress, Editech Milano, Russian Press Distribution Association Congress, Congreso Nacional de Libreros de España, Jornadas LIBER…
He is one of the coordinators of the Readmagine international event on Innovation in the Book Sector.
