We Stand In Solidarity!

The recent Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and work. While people were at home during lockdown, publishers across the world were trying their best to reach out to all stakeholders including readers and book lovers and stand indemnified against all odds.

While book fairs across the world had to either cancel or postpone their events, online literary festivals have taken shape. The Bologna Childen Book Festival Online Special Edition brought its business, atmosphere, content and opportunities – including digital exhibitions, webinars, conferences, book trailers, live streaming announcements and much more.

Webinars have become the need of the day. National Book Trust, India and FICCI organized a webinar on Post-COVID Publishing Scenario on the occasion of World Book & Copyright Day on 23 April 2020. There are so many more.

Social media is being used for wider reach. A Facebook group Publishers Without Borders now connects with publishers in an informative and interactive manner. Started in early April, currently they have more than 3000+ members. That sure is a great way to establish a community bond!

Audio stories are popular than never before. Missed Call Do, Kahaani Suno, a campaign from Pratham Books in partnership with United Way India, aims to do just that – with a simple missed call, children can listen to delightful audio stories on the phone in English, Hindi, Marathi and Kannada. Then, there is Audible, which has tied up with Rajpal & Sons to bring Hindi language books to its patrons.

Infact, all publishers are doing their bit to reach out to people in this trying time. Celebrities sing, read and tell stories on Katha with Karadi, a website that Karadi Tales has launched to entertain and engage children during lockdown. Other children publishers like Tulika Books, Scholastic are just few of the publishers who have tried their best to keep children’s boredom at bay.

Amid the ongoing debate on the future of books in the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, 37 literary agents and agencies in Italy formed ADALI, the Association of Italian Literary Agents. The association includes representatives both of authors and of publishing houses.

The International Publishers Association took to a virtual stage on June 3 to unveil the laureate of the 2020 Prix Voltaire which supports defenders of freedom to publish: Liberal Publishing House (Vietnam).

It’s really heartening to see the industry stand united in this pandemic time.
Happy reading!

Shweta
shweta@allaboutbookpublishing.com