BolognaBookPlus announces programme of events for 2022 fair

BolognaBookPlus, the exhibit, conferences and training programme, aimed at the general trade publishing market, and soft launched in June 2021, announces its 2022 events line-up. Situated in the centre of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, to which it is a brand extension, the BBPlus events programme complements the international exhibit. BBPlus 2022 will host a series of curated events and training programmes targeted at a general trade audience, that will take place from 21- 24 March 2022.

Introducing an event for those who wish to become literary agents, BBPlus will run a new half- day training programme entitled Call Your Agent: How to become a Successful Literary Agent. This innovative new offering promises practical advice and guidance from leading experts, and complements the suite of other rights training within BBPlus: How to Sell Rights and Understand Licensing in Children’s Books and The Business of Translation: All you need to know about Buying, Selling and Funding.

How to Sell Rights and Understand Licensing in Children’s Books (Sunday 20th March 2022) returns for a second year, and is aimed at those starting out in rights, contracts and licensing in children’s publishing. Delivered by children’s rights experts, this half-day event offers essential training in the fundamentals of rights, contracts and licensing, including copyright, IP, licensing and merchandising and the selling process, all with a sharp focus on children’s books.

How to Self-Publish in Italy and Abroad (Monday 21st March 2022) is a half-day event covering insights into the Italian self-publishing scene and beyond, and understanding the process of self-publishing from start to finish. There are more avenues to publishing than ever before, and this first- rate conference event illustrates the possible routes to publication, including self-publishing, which can be just as challenging as writing the book itself and deserve just as much consideration.

A pioneering event in the book fair world, Call Your Agent: How to become a Successful Literary Agent (Tuesday 22nd March 2022) is a new half-day conference which will focus on literary agent training, packed with practical advice on the skills required, how to get started, and rights and contracts essentials. Delving into the complex world of literary agency, this trailblazing programme will equip attendees with the fundamental tools needed to navigate becoming a successful literary agent.

Finally, two events will take place on Wednesday 23rd March 2022 and Thursday 24th March 2022 which are devoted to design and illustration. International Jacket Design: The Best of the Best and Jackets Off. The latter is a competition to put design in general trade publishing at the heart of the business of books. Returning for a second year, the showcase, portfolio review and seminar this year will be centred around one title published across many international editions.

International Jacket Design: the Best of the Best focuses on six markets inviting entries for their individual ‘best of the best’ that will be featured in an exhibit within BolognaBookPlus and a winner awarded on March 24th.

Celebrating the international bestseller, The Handmaid’s Tale, Jackets Off will examine the different interpretations of this contemporary classic across cultures and languages.

Jacks Thomas, Guest Director for BolognaBooksPlus, said: ‘After a virtual inaugural year in 2021, we are absolutely delighted that BolognaBookPlus is taking place in person this year, building on the digital initiatives of last year. The programme reflects the ingenuity, creativity and ambition of our industry across the globe, whilst introducing events and conferences that support the industry of tomorrow. Bologna, at the heart of the book world for over 50 years, is the perfect opportunity to embrace everything that publishing has to offer and we are looking forward to being there with you.’

About BolognaBookPlus
BolognaBookPlus is a new initiative launched by BCBF/BolognaFiere in collaboration with the Italian Publishers Association (AIE) to reach a general publishing audience via a three day exhibit and four conferences – among other opportunities – taking place alongside the acclaimed Bologna Children’s Book Fair 21-24 March 2022. Working closely with the Bologna team, BolognaBookPlus is led by Jacks Thomas as Guest Director, supported by a UK team.

About Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF)
The Bologna Children’s Book Fair is the world’s leading trade show dedicated to the children’s publishing and content industry, attracting 1,500 exhibitors and around 30,000 professional visitors from around 100 countries. Created in 1964, BCBF brings every year to Bologna (Italy) a unique and diverse global audience, made of publishers, agents, developers, illustrators, authors, booksellers, librarians and all the other professionals involved not only in the book but also in the multimedia and licensing businesses for children’s content.