2011 International Book Fairs
Listings
Once again, 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.
The Bookseller said: 'the trade fair is changing as publishing becomes more global and new markets become ever more crucial... with a number of fairs rising in importance, from the gulf region (Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai) and South America (Buenos Aires) to Asia ( Taipei, Hong Kong) to name but a few.'
Last year's list of book fairs has been updated for 2011, including a few more new ones. The information becomes sketchier towards the end of the year.
Writing in January 2011, we think that the upward trend in the number of trade visitors to book fairs is likely to be resumed this year. Although many publishers will be tempted to 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.
2011 Book Fairs
Cairo Book Fair
26 January - 4 February
No website found
New Delhi World Book Fair
30 January - 7 February. Another biennial fair. www.nbtindia.org.in
Taipei International Book Exhibition
9 - 14 February Now in its 19th year, one of the biggest book fairs in Asia.
Jerusalem International Book Fair
20 - 25 February. Has unique Editorial Fellowship Programme.
Baltic Book Fair
3 - 16 March www.estbook.com
The 2011 Baltic Book Fair will be held in Talinn.
Abu Dhabi Book Fair
15 - 20 March
Having achieved achieved a 32% increase in visitors last year, 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..
Leipzig Book Fair
17 - 20 March http://www.leipziger-messe.de
Bangkok International Book Fair
25 March - 6 April
Salon du Livre, Paris
18 - 21 March http://www.salondulivreparis.com
The 31st French book fair, an elegant meeting-point for the book trade with a large number of meetings and many events organised for the public. 325,000 visits last year.
Alexandrina International Book Fair , Alexandria, Egypt
24 March to 5 April 2011 www.bibalex.org/bookfair/bookfair_en.aspx
Guest of honour Moroccan books.
Bologna Children’s Book Fair
28 - 31 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. It looks like three days this year, although last year protests caused it to be scaled back to four. www.bookfair.bolognafiere.it
MIPTV
4 - 7 April
Billed as '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
11 - 13 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. In Earls Court again with a much talked-about Russia focus.
Budapest International Book Festival
14 - 17 April www.mkke.hu/
With cultural events and conferences on issues affecting the book trade.
Thessaloniki International Book Fair
5 - 8May
Tehran International Book Fair
It is not clear whether this is happening this year.
Bookworld Prague
12 - 15 May
Warsaw International Book Fair
20 - 23 May
http://arspolona.com.pl/index.php/s/dokument/doc/213
BookExpo America New York
23 - 26 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. Market focus in 23011 is Italy. There is a programme for writers which is worth investigating. www.bookexpoamerica.com
Moscow International Book Fair
(6 - 11 June) Not many details available yet. www.mibf.ru
Cape Town Book Fair
16 - 19 June www.capetownbookfair.com
Now in its sixth year, this is a combined trade fair and literary event open to the public, which aims to be the big book fair for Africa.
American Library Association Conference
24 - 27 June www.ala.org
Will be in New Orleans this year.
Tokyo International Book Fair
7 - 10 July http://www.bookfair.jp/en
Big event for Asian book trade, giving access to the world's second biggest book market. In 2010 it had 984 exhibitors and 87,449 visitors.
Hong Kong Book Fair
20 - 26 July www.hkbookfair.com
Over 920,000 visitors in 2010, up 2% on the previous year, 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).
Beijing International Book Fair
31 August - 4 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.
London Remainder and Promotional Book Fair
11 - 12 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
22 - 25 September www.bok-bibliotek.se
Biggest meeting-point for Scandinavian literature, attracting authors and the media as well as the trade. Many international exhibitors, seminar programme and the German language in focus.
Frankfurt Book Fair
12 - 16 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. Iceland will be the guest of honour for 2011. Last year there were 3,000 events and a massive 290,000 visitors, of which 181,000 were trade.
(See our Inside Publishing article on the Frankfurt Book Fair. recently revised...)
Toronto International Antiquarian Book Fair
28-30 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.
Salon du Livre, Montreal
16 - 21 November
This seems to have been reinstated. www.salondulivredemontreal.com
Feria International del Libro de Guadalajara Mexico
26 November - 7 December. This is supposed to be the largest Spanish book event in the world. www.fil.com.mx/ingles/i_default.asp
