The London Book Fair 2020

LBF’s leading education publishing conference – What Works, 11 March

The London Book Fair will shortly announce the line-up for the eighth annual What Works? Successful Publishing Resources & Technologies for the Future conference (11 March 2020),which will examine key topics including EdTech, international education trends, and the importance of providing access to education for refugee children.

Taking place on Wednesday 11 March What Works? is designed specifically for educational publishers and technology providers seeking insights into the international developments impacting their industries and markets. This half-day programme has been organized by The London Book Fair, in association with the Publishers Association (PA) and curated by Linden Harris, Insight & Perspective Ltd.

Academic publishing – leading Research and Scholarly Publishing Forum, 12 March

LBF’s sell out Research and Scholarly Publishing Forum (12 March 2020) will tackle the key issues and trends facing academic publishing, including the impact of ‘Plan S’ on publishing business models, and the latest on OA monographs.

Research and Scholarly Publishing Forum is supported by ALPSP (the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers) and The Publishers Association, with the programme created by Alicia Wise, Information Power.

Translation takes centre stage

Championing the art of translation has long been at the core of LBF as, along with many other book fairs around the world, we aim to create channels for dialogue and cultural engagement between writers, publishers and the wider global book industry.

The LBF Literary Translation Centre is a key global centre for all those involved in literature in translation. Funded by Arts Council England, The Literary Translation Centre will be holding talks and events throughout the duration of the Fair, with organisations taking part including Amazon Crossing, The British Council, English PEN, Literature Across Frontiers, Translators Association, and The National Centre for Writing. We look forward to working once again with our partners to deliver another lively programme.

As a vital lynchpin in any cross-cultural exchange, translation has never been more important and it is our pleasure to introduce our second Translator of the Fair, Katy Derbyshire. This year we will shine an even greater spotlight on the art of translation. Katy Derbyshire is a London-born translator who has lived in Berlin for over twenty years. She translates contemporary German fiction, including Olga Grjasnowa, Heike Geissler, Man Book International Prize-nominated Clemens Meyer and Christa Wolf. Katy co-hosts a monthly translation lab and the bi-monthly Dead Ladies Show in Berlin. Her translation of Bricks and Mortar by Clemens Meyer was long-listed for the 2017 Man Booker Prize and won the 2018 Straelener Prize for Translation. Derbyshire has also served on the jury of Germany’s Internationaler Literaturpreis and the International Dublin Literary Award. She is now also publisher at V&Q Books – bringing remarkable writing from Germany to the UK and Ireland from autumn 2020.

Katy Derbyshire commented, “I’m delighted to have been selected as the second Literary Translator of the Fair. It’s exciting to see the important work of literary translators highlighted at the London Book Fair, and I’m looking forward to the honour.”

The Writers’ Summit

LBF has just re-launched The Writers’ Summit which is returning for the third year in a new and enhanced format, now taking place on Tuesday 10 March, the first day of The London Book Fair. Boasting an insightful and comprehensive programme, The Writers’ Summit will discuss the many opportunities that now abound for self-published and hybrid authors. Included in the ticket price will be a literary lunch, hosted by international #1 bestselling author, LJ Ross.

The Writers’ Summit will also be hosting its hugely popular and successful agent one-to-one sessions with literary agents for a third year, where attendees will be able to pitch their work and get face-to-face feedback. What’s more, all attendees will get full access to LBF including the Author HQ programme on Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday and Thursday.(https://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/writerssummit)

The London Book Fair 2020 will welcome Sharjah as the Market Focus

Now in its 16th year, LBF’s Market Focus is a truly global celebration of literature and publishing. Over 40 countries and regions from across the globe have participated, including Mexico, South Africa, China, Australia, Korea and this year’s Market Focus Indonesia. For Sharjah this will be a return to the Market Focus programme as they were one of the 20 states who participated in the Arab World Market Focus in 2008.

The London Book Fair Market Focus programme, with partners the British Council and supported by the UK Publishers Association, will include a programme of cultural events celebrating Emirati authors and books, and a professional programme designed to enable and enhance business opportunities. It offers UK and international publishers the opportunityto forge new business partnerships and expand into global markets.This partnership takes place as Sharjah also celebrates its year as UNESCO World Book Capital.

See you at LBF 2020

And these are just a few highlights from an amazing programme of events that will span academic, education and trade publishing from all across the globe. The fair will host some of the world’s biggest authors and all of the world’s biggest publishers.

\We look forward to welcoming many Indian publishers amongst their number.