Elles Publishing House has revealed the official program for the first Independent and Feminist Publishing Conference, set to take place on May 1–2, 2026, in Cairo, bringing together a diverse group of writers, publishers, and practitioners engaged in independent and feminist publishing.
The conference opens on Friday, May 1, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a brief opening by the Henn team, followed by sessions exploring the history of independent publishing and its relationship to memory and archives, featuring Dr. Emad Abu Ghazi and moderated by Sayed Mahmoud.
The first day also includes a roundtable on the economics of independent publishing, with participation from key figures in the field, as well as a session titled “Experiences and Testimonies in Independent Publishing,” offering insights drawn from real-world practice.
On the second day, Saturday, May 2, from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the focus shifts to feminist publishing. Sessions will address archives and memory within feminist writing, alongside a roundtable on feminist and experimental publishing practices.
The program also features a session on “Experiences and Testimonies in Feminist Publishing,” highlighting different stages of book production, from editing and cover design to proofreading and layout, with contributions from independent initiatives and projects.
The conference will conclude with an open space for participants’ proposals, leading to a set of recommendations aimed at supporting and advancing independent and feminist publishing in the region.
