2008 International Book Fairs
Listings
A large number of international book fairs are held throughout the year. Most of these are primarily intended as trade fairs for the book trade, but an increasing number have extensive programmes of cultural events and opportunities to meet authors. Some set out to attract the general public, others have particular days when the public can get in.
Although they're not really intended for authors, the book fairs are worth researching, as you may find that there is one you can get to. The benefits are the vast array of new and forthcoming books on display, the seminars, conferences and author events which may be planned, and the chance to see the publishing world in action.
John Makinson, CEO of Penguin, on the enduring appeal of book fairs: 'Yet we keep going, if we're honest, because the publishing industry is a community and it thrives on personal contact - the chance encounter, the hurried drink and the languid lunch. And as communication in our business becomes ever more electronic, that personal contact seems more vital. So my guess is that book fairs will continue to grow and grow.'
Last year's list of book fairs has been updated for 2008, including a few more new ones. The information becomes sketchier towards the end of the year, and some annual fairs seem to have been cancelled for this year. We will try to revise this list as more information becomes available, but for now please note that the asterisks show last year's date (and the new dates will mostly be around the same time).
2008 Book Fairs
Taipei International Fair
13 -18 February www.tibe.tw
Jerusalem Book Fair
15 - 20 February www.jerusalembookfair.com
Baltic Book Fair
28 February - 2 March www.litexpo.lt
The 2008 Baltic Book Fair will be held at the International Exhibition Centre, Riga, Latvia.
New Delhi World Book Fair
2 - 10 February
The Fair not only offers a glimpse of the multi-lingual publishing industry in India, which has developed substantially in recent years, but also meets the needs of the vast Indian book market. www.fiponweb.com/events3.htm
Leipzig Book Fair
13 - 16 March www.leipziger-buchmess.de
127,500 visitors at the 2007 Fair.
Salon du Livre
14-19 March http://salondulivreparis.com
The French book fair, an elegant meeting-point for the book trade with a large number of meetings and many events organised for the public.
Abu Dhabi Book Fair
11 - 16 March
Attended by 200,00 visitors, is being grown to attract an international and trade audience. The Sheikh Zayed Awards are announced during the Fair. Sponsored by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage in cooperation with Frankfurter Buchmesse. www.adbookfair.com/abudhabi/en/index.php
London Book Fair
14 - 16 April http://www.lbf-virtual.com/
Europe’s premier international spring book fair, increasingly seen as the key book fair for the first half of the year, balancing the Frankfurt Book Fair in the second half. British publishers are of course out in force, but this fair now attracts visitors from all over the world. The second year in Earls Court.
Bologna Children’s Book Fair
31 March 1 April http://www.bookfair.bolognafiere.
The top international children’s book fair, attended by children’s publishers from all over the world. Many feel that this is the best book fair of them all, graced by a relaxed atmosphere, wonderful food and a great location in the lovely Italian city of Bologna. www.bookfair.bolognafiere.it
Bangkok International Book Fair
28 March - 10 April www.bangkokibf.com
Surely one of the longest international book fairs, this is organised by the Thai Publishers and Booksellers Association. Free admission to the public.
Milia
3 - 7 April Bringing together content decision-makers from the worlds of digital entertainment, Internet, mobile and Interactive, this is the biggest international gathering of its kind. www.milia.com
Budapest
International Book Festival 24 - 27 April www.mkke.hu/
Cultural events and conferences on issues affecting the book trade.
Warsaw International Book Fair
15-18 May www.bookfair.pl
Nigeria International Book Fair
7 - 12 May* www.nibf.org
Designed to give existing and prospective publishers and booksellers the opportunity of exploring and exploiting the country's book market.
BookExpo America - Los Angeles
30 May - 1 June
Primarily a trade fair which enables American publishers to show booksellers their fall lists, this big fair has been through many vicissitudes, but is currently seen as rather less of an international fair, although the fair authorities are trying to reverse this trend and have developed a programme for writers which is worth investigating. www.bookexpoamerica.com
BookExpo Canada in Toronto
13 - 15 June www.reed-expo.ca/bookexpo/
Canada’s leading event for the book publishing industry
Cape Town Book Fair
14 - 17 June www.capetownfair.com
Following on from its inaugural fair last year, this is hoping to establish this as the big African event. A combined trade fair and literary event open to the public.
American Library Association Conference
in Anaheim
26 June 2 July www.ala.org
Tokyo International Book Fair
10-13 July http://web.reedexpo.co.jp/tibf/english/
Big event for Asian book trade, giving access to the world's second biggest book market. In 2007 it had 749 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions, and attracted 55,943 visitors.
Hong Kong Book Fair
23 - 29 July www.hkbookfair.com
Over 763,545 visitors in 2007, this is now becoming one of the big ones.
Beijing International Book Fair
1 - 4 September www.bibf.net
Important fair for publishers from all over the world who are interested in getting into the booming Chinese market, this has rapidly established itself as an essential stop on the international rights circuit. It will have a new venue for this year.
Moscow International Book Fair
3 -8 September www.bookfair.ru
Much earlier in the year than in 2006.
London Remainder and Promotional Book Fair
14 - 15 September www.ciana.co.uk
Thousands of remainder and bargain books – not for the faint-hearted author!
Goteborg International Book Fair
25 - 28 September www.goteborg-bookfair.com
Biggest meeting-point for Scandinavian literature, attracting authors and the media as well as the trade.
Frankfurt Book Fair
15-19 October http://www.frankfurt-book-fair.com
This is still the big one, the premier international book fair which is attended by publishers from all over the world and is also open to the German public for some of the time. This huge fair is a meeting-place and rights marketplace for the global publishing industry, but it is a trade fair and there's not much for authors except in the German halls.
(See our Inside Publishing article on the Frankfurt Book Fair.)
Istanbul Book Fair, Turkey
15 - 19 October www.tuyap.com
Salon du Livre, Montreal
19 - 24 November www.salondulivredemontreal.com
Feria International del Libro de Guadalajara
Mexico 29 November - 7 December. This is supposed to be the largest Spanish book event in the world. www.fil.com.mx