2010 International Book Fairs
Listings
Here is our annual update of the international book fairs which 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, most important of all, 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 2010, including a few more new ones and some which were cancelled. The information becomes sketchier towards the end of the year.
Writing in January 2010, we still think that the upward trend in the number of trade visitors to book fairs is likely to be halted this year. Many publishers will see them as a good place to economise, so there are likely to be fewer staff sent and some publishers withdrawing altogether. This will be balanced in some case by the fairs attracting more of the public.
2010 Book Fairs
Cairo Book Fair
22 January - 5 February
New Delhi World Book Fair
30 January - 7 February. Another biennial fair. www.nbtindia.org.in
Taipei International Book Exhibition
4 - 9 February www.tibe.tw
Jerusalem International Book Fair
15 -20 February. Biennial event. www.jerusalembookfair.com
Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2 - 7 March
It is increasing its exhibitor space and expecting a more international and a more diverse group of visitors this year. Sponsored by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage as a joint venture with 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.. www.adbookfair.com/abudhabi/en/index.php
Leipzig Book Fair 18 - 21 March http://www.leipziger-messe.de
Kuala Lumpur Book Fair 18 - 23 March http://kualalumpurbookfair.com
Bologna Children’s Book Fair 23 - 26 March 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. Still four days, in spite of an attempt to cut it back to three. www.bookfair.bolognafiere.it
Salon du Livre 26 - 31 March http://salondulivreparis.com
The 30th French book fair, an elegant meeting-point for the book trade with a large number of meetings and many events organised for the public. 165,000 visitors over 6 days last year, with 1200 publishers from 25 countries.
Bangkok International Book Fair 26 March - 6 April www.bangkokibf.com
This is organised by the Thai Publishers and Booksellers Association. Free admission to the public.
MIPTV 12 - 16 April
Bringing together content decision-makers from the worlds of digital entertainment, Internet, mobile and Interactive, this fair in Cannes is the biggest international gathering of its kind. www.inipworld.com
London Book Fair 19 - 24 April http://www.londonbookfair.co.uk
Europe’s premier international spring book fair, claims to be 'the world's premier publishing and cultural capital'. 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 naturally out in force, but this fair now attracts visitors from all over the world. The fourth year in Earls Court.
Budapest International Book Festival 22 - 25 April www.mkke.hu/
Cultural events and conferences on issues affecting the book trade.
Thessaloniki International Book Fair 22 - 25 April www.thessalonikibookfair.com
Tehran International Book Fair 5 May - 15 May www.tibf.ir
Prague Book Fair 13 - 16 May
Baltic Book Fair 16 - 18 May www.estbook.com
The 2010 Baltic Book Fair will be held in Talinn.
Warsaw International Book Fair 20 - 23 May www.bookfair.pl
BookExpo America New York 28 -31 May
Primarily a trade fair which enables American publishers to show booksellers their fall lists, this big fair has been through many vicissitudes and will no doubt be affected by recessionary cutbacks. Showcasing 500 + authors, with 1500 exhibitors, 'The Big ideas at BEABookExpo America, commonly referred to within the book publishing industry as BEA. The largest annual book trade fair in the United States' conference and Global Market Forum. There is a programme for writers which is worth investigating. www.bookexpoamerica.com
BookExpo Canada in Toronto www.reed-expo.ca/bookexpo/
Cancelled for 2009, no sign of it being reinstated in 2010.
American Library Association Conference 24 - 29 June www.ala.org
Will be in Washington this year.
Tokyo International Book Fair 8 - 11 July http://www.tibf.jp
Big event for Asian book trade, giving access to the world's second biggest book market. In 2009 it had 776 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions, and attracted 64,884 visitors.
Hong Kong Book Fair
21 - 27 July www.hkbookfair.com
Over 900,000 in 2009, this is now becoming one of the big ones, justified by the domestic market (a recent study shows that 60% of the people of Hong Kong spend more than 5 hours a week reading).
Cape Town Book Fair 30 July - 2 August www.capetownfair.com
Now in its fifth year, this is a combined trade fair and literary event open to the public, which aims to be the big book fair for Africa.
Sao Paulo International Book Fair 12 - 22 August www.feriabienaldolivro.com.br
Beijing International Book Fair 30 August - 3 September www.bibf.net
Important fair for publishers from all over the world who are interested in getting into the still booming Chinese market, this has rapidly established itself as an essential stop on the international rights circuit.
Moscow International Book Fair (1 - 6 September) www.mibf.ru
London Remainder and Promotional Book Fair 12 - 13 September www.ciana.co.uk
Thousands of remainder and bargain books – not for the faint-hearted author! Admission only for trade visitors.
Goteborg International Book Fair 23 - 26 September www.goteborg-bookfair.com
Biggest meeting-point for Scandinavian literature, attracting authors and the media as well as the trade. 800 exhibitors, seminar programme and Africa in focus.
Frankfurt Book Fair 6 - 10 October http://www.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. Argentina will be the guest of honour for 2010. Last year there were 3,000 events and a massive 290,469 visitors, of which 181,155 were trade.
(See our Inside Publishing article on the Frankfurt Book Fair.)
Toronto International Antiquarian Book Fair 29-31 October http://www.torontoantiquarianbookfair.com
The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Canada's international antiquarian book fair featuring 50 distinguished booksellers from around the world. An opportunity to peruse and purchase rare, antiquarian and collectible books from many of the world's foremost booksellers.
Istanbul Book Fair, Turkey
30 October - 7 November www.tuyap.com
Salon du Livre, Montreal No sign of this at present - Canadian book fairs don't seem to be doing well. www.salondulivredemontreal.com
Feria International del Libro de Guadalajara Mexico 27 November - 5 December. This is supposed to be the largest Spanish book event in the world. www.fil.com.mx
