Network Author Tours



The JBC Network is a unique service designed to benefit both Jewish communities that offer Jewish book programs and the authors of Jewish-interest books. The JBC Network—with a membership of over 100 participating organizations across North America ranging from JCCs, synagogues, Hillels, Jewish Federations, etc.—organizes the tours for approximately 200 authors each year. The program connects authors with their readers, and promotes Jewish culture through Jewish book events. 


For authors, this is an opportunity to go on an all-expenses-paid book tour around North America. For program directors, it is the source of a wide selection of interesting authors who will speak in your community without an honorarium.


Each spring, the Jewish Book Council sponsors a conference for the professional representatives of the JBC Network member sites and their lay committee members. More than 150 attendees--the professional directors of Jewish book fairs, festivals and programs and their committees--gather to learn about new books, discuss the business of producing book festivals and book programs, and meet authors who wish to participate in this year-round program. Following the annual conference, JBC, acting on the requests of its JBC Network members, plans and coordinates tours for the selected authors. 

Did you know?:

  • The Jewish Book Council originally formed the JBC Network in 1999 to serve as a central address for Jewish organizations that present book or author programs. It was created to serve the Jewish book fairs and festivals that take place in the fall, around the time of Jewish Book Month.
  • Because of its popularity, the number of participating authors has quadrupled over the past eight years, from approximately 50 authors each year to over 200, and the program was extended past Jewish Book Month with authors available now on a 12-month basis.
  • A sampling of the authors who participated in a Network tour in the past are Nathan Englander, Samuel G. Freedman, Jonathan Safran Foer, Myla Goldberg, Ari L. Goldman, Dara Horn, Dr. Eric Kandel, Nicole Krauss, Rabbi Harold Kushner, Aaron Lansky, Daniel Libeskind, Naomi Ragen, Ambassador Dennis Ross, Darin Strauss, Shawn Green and Dr. Jonathan Sarna.
  • Since its creation, the JBC Network has worked with over 1,300 authors.
  • For the 2011-2012 season, over 800 events have been scheduled through the JBC Network.
  • JBC Network authors are skilled in the art of the elevator pitch—each gets only 2 minutes to present their book at the "Meet the Author" events at the annual JBC Network conference.
  • In 2007, The NY Times referred to the JBC Network "Meet the Author" events as “a combination of “The Gong Show” and speed-dating."