Book fairs

Not going to Bologna was unthinkable. The shock of the pandemic and how life everywhere was being affected was the most horrifying aspect, but we also had to deal with the logistics and the loss of deposits and flights already booked and paid for.  Read more

Updating: With the 30,000-attendee Bologna Children's Book FairThe Bologna Children's Book Fair or La fiera del libro per ragazzi is the leading professional fair for children's books in the world. postponed in virus-struck Italy, the international book business debates how to proceed, though London Book Fair commits to going ahead.

It's a common question in our constantly evolving digital world: are publishers adapting quickly enough? Yet through a decade of rapid technological change, a global recession, and ever-shifting consumer expectations, the global book business has shown its resilience. And one needs look no further than the Frankfurt Book FairWorld's largest trade fair for books; held annually mid-October at Frankfurt Trade Fair, Germany; First three days exclusively for trade visitors; general public can attend last two. for an example of the industry's strength.

The Bologna Children's Book FairThe Bologna Children's Book Fair or La fiera del libro per ragazzi is the leading professional fair for children's books in the world. 2018 has been a broadly positive event, with non-fiction on the rise and the UK market's Middle Grade mania continuing, though Bonnier Publishing's shock decision to shutter its Australian children's division sent ripples of concern through the halls.

A personal view of this year's London Book Fair from BookBrunch joint editor Neill Denny

Frankly, I thought this was one of the better LBFs of recent years. Inevitably, there are flies in the ointment, and I'll come to those later, but let's start with the pluses.  Read more