BookCon 2026 | STORIES THAT COME TO LIFE IN REAL TIME. WHERE FANS MEET THE MINDS BEHIND THE PAGES. A PLAYGROUND FOR READERS, CREATORS, AND IDEAS. PANELS. SIGNINGS. EXPERIENCES THAT FEEL PERSONAL. WHERE POP CULTURE AND LITERATURE COLLIDE. DISCOVERY, CONNECTION, AND NONSTOP ENERGY. A WEEKEND WHERE STORIES STEP OFF THE PAGE. THE SPACE WHERE READERS BECOME PART OF THE STORY.
BookCon emerged as a response to something readers had been wanting for years: a space where they could engage directly with the stories and the people behind them. Evolving from the industry-focused BookExpo, BookCon opened the doors to a wider audience, transforming into a reader-driven event that celebrates not just books, but the experience of storytelling itself. Over time, it has grown into a major gathering where fans, authors, and creators come together in one shared space.
Unlike traditional book fairs, BookCon thrives on interaction. It’s a place where readers don’t just browse, they participate. Panels, live interviews, book signings, and fan-driven discussions fill the event with energy. It creates an environment where stories are not only read but talked about, questioned, and experienced in real time.
The 2026 edition continues to highlight the evolving relationship between readers and storytelling. It reflects a world where audiences are more engaged than ever, shaping conversations, trends, and the way stories are shared. BookCon stands as a space where creativity meets community, and where every voice has the chance to be heard.
Exhibitors from across the publishing world take part, including major publishers, independent authors, media platforms, and creative brands. The event floor becomes a hub of discovery, where new ideas are introduced, connections are built, and stories find their audience.
Amid this high-energy and interactive setting, Kravitz and Sons is proud to join BookCon 2026. We’re excited to exhibit I Won’t Be Wearing a Bikini, But I’m Going to Keep on Swimming: A Story of Colon Cancer Survival by Lorraine Balch Limero, a deeply personal and honest memoir that captures the emotional and physical reality of battling colon cancer. It’s not just about illness, it’s about what happens to a person when life suddenly shifts and forces them to face the unknown.
This book carries its own voice, one that balances pain with humor and fear with courage. It invites readers into a journey that feels real, sometimes messy, but always human. In a space driven by connection and discovery, it stands ready to reach those who need hope, understanding, or simply a reminder that survival is possible even in the hardest moments.
The Voice Behind the Journey
Lorraine Balch Limero writes from a place of experience, not theory. With a background in psychology and years spent as a psychotherapist, she understands people, emotions, and the quiet struggles that often go unseen. That depth shows in her writing, making every moment feel genuine and grounded.
Her style is open, reflective, and surprisingly warm even when dealing with heavy topics. She doesn’t try to make things look perfect. Instead, she shares the highs and lows as they come, allowing readers to feel every part of the journey. There’s honesty in her voice, but also a sense of strength that quietly builds as the story moves forward.
A Story of Survival, Strength, and Real Life
I Won’t Be Wearing a Bikini, But I’m Going to Keep on Swimming takes readers straight into Lorraine’s world, where doctor visits, diagnoses, and treatments become part of everyday life. From the moment she discovers something is wrong to the long process of surgeries and recovery, the story unfolds with raw detail and emotional depth.
The setting moves between hospital rooms, quiet moments at home, and the spaces in between where thoughts become overwhelming. The people around her, her husband Tom, her children, her doctors, and friends, all play important roles in helping her stay afloat. Each one adds a layer of support, showing how survival is never a solo journey.
What makes this book stand out is how it blends fear with humor and pain with perspective. Lorraine doesn’t hide the difficult parts. She talks about uncertainty, physical exhaustion, and the mental toll of facing cancer. But at the same time, she finds moments of laughter, reflection, and even gratitude. The lesson is clear: life doesn’t stop when things get hard. You learn to move with it, to adapt, and to keep going even when it feels impossible.
A Story That Stays With You
This is more than a memoir. It’s a reminder that even in the middle of struggle, there is still strength, still hope, and still a reason to keep moving forward.
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I Won’t Be Wearing a Bikini, But I’m Going to Keep on Swimming
A Story of Colon Cancer Survival
Step into her story and find the strength to keep swimming