Help Please! London Book Fair

[Sarit]

Hi Everyone, so I'm thinking of attending the London Book Fair this year (I live in France) and was just wondering if you have any experience with it? Is this mostly for agents and publishers? Or is there also something for authors to do there? On their website there is a Writer's Summit but not much more info about it... Thank you

 

[AgentPete]

Book fairs have traditionally been places for publishers to sell books to… other publishers.

Agents get in on the act, too.

Again, traditionally writers have only attended as guests of publishers, i.e. to create a bit of interest in the book(s) the publisher is selling.

In recent years, and partly to make a bit money dosh, some fairs have become more author-focused. Yet, even the coming LBF still describes itself as for: “publishers, dealmakers, copyright pros, commissioners and global licensers”. See what’s missing?

No idea what a “Writer's Summit” is! Frankly, I would have expected all book fairs to have become a lot more author-friendly by now.

However it’s still worth going, just to get a feeling for the industry itself - the sort of behind-the-scenes view that authors don’t often see. But don’t imagine you’ll pick up a publisher there.

 

[Sarit]

Ah thanks this is why I was asking. I met some agents last year at Cannes who said best thing authors can do for their career is to write and not attend these things... But still I think like you said it's interesting to see the bigger picture.

 

[DangerSpot]

Hi Sarit

I have been self-publishing since 2003 and attended London, Bologna, and Frankfurt and sold publishing rights to other publishers. You can get a very good idea of publishers who might be interested in your type of book? I stopped going in recent years, mais il me manque beaucoup. It is a very exciting experience in my book.

 

[Sarit]

Hi Sarit

I have been self-publishing since 2003 and attended London, Bologna, and Frankfurt and sold publishing rights to other publishers. You can get a very good idea of publishers who might be interested in your type of book? I stopped going in recent years, mais il me manque beaucoup. It is a very exciting experience in my book.

Thank you! Also is there anything to prepare? Like flyer? A card? Or just general schmoozing and elevator pitching?