2013 International Book Fairs
Listings
Here is our annual update of the international book fairs which will be held in 2013. Most of these are primarily intended as trade fairs for the book trade, but an ever-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.'
The list of book fairs has been updated for 2013, including a few more new ones. The information becomes sketchier towards the end of the year.
2013 Book Fairs
New Delhi World Book Fair
4 February - 10 February Another biennial fair. http://www.newdelhiworldbookfair.gov.in/
Taipei International Book Exhibition
30 January - 4 February One of the biggest book fairs in Asia, with 600,000 attendees last year.
Jerusalem International Book Fair
10 - 15 February. Has unique Editorial Fellowship Programme.
Vilnius/Baltic Book Fair
1- 28 February http://globalbookrights.com/books/?ai1ec_event=vilnius-international-book-fair-baltic-book-fair&instance_id=
The 2013 Baltic Book Fair will be held in Vilnius.
Abu Dhabi Book Fair
24 - 29 April
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 14 - 17 March http://www.leipziger-messe.de
Bangkok International Book Fair 29 March - 8 April
Salon du Livre, Paris 18 - 21 March website
The 33rd French book fair, an elegant meeting-point for the book trade with a large number of meetings and many events organised for the public.
Alexandrina International Book Fair , Alexandria, Egypt
26 March to 9 April 2011 www.bibalex.org/bookfair/bookfair_en.aspx
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is organising its Ninth Alexandrina International Book Fair.
Bologna Children's Book Fair 25 March - 28 March http://www.bookfair.bolognafiere.
The top international children's book fair, celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year, 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 will be three days this year, although in the past protests caused it to be scaled back to four. www.bookfair.bolognafiere.it
MIPTV 8 - 11 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. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, there is an early bird offer for registration. http://www.miptv.com/
London Book Fair 15 - 17 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 and Turkey will be the market focus country. New initiatives include the Academic Innovation, Education and Blog Zones.
Budapest International Book Festival 18 - 21 April
With cultural events and conferences on issues affecting the book trade.
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 24 - 29 April
Working hard with the intention of making this fair the leading event for the Arab book world. Having achieved achieved a 32% increase in visitors in 2010 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 Fair.
Thessaloniki International Book Fair 24 - 27 May
Tehran International Book Fair
It is not clear whether this is happening this year, as the dates are just 'May'.
Bookworld Prague 16 - 19 May
Guest of Honour Slovakia.
Warsaw International Book Fair 16 - 19 May
http://www.targi-ksiazki.waw.pl/en/
BookExpo AmericaBookExpo America, commonly referred to within the book publishing industry as BEA. The largest annual book trade fair in the United States New York 31 May - 1 June
Primarily a trade fair which enables American publishers to show booksellers their fall lists, this big fair has been through many vicissitudes and is still being affected by recessionary cutbacks. Showcasing hundreds of authors, with 1500+ exhibitors. There is a programme for writers which is worth investigating. More information on BookExpo will be available closer to the time. www.bookexpoamerica.com
Moscow International Book Fair September. Not many details available yet.
Cape Town Book Fair 15 - 17 www.capetownbookfair.com
A combined trade fair and literary event open to the public, which aims to be the big book fair for Africa. Date of this year's fair seem unconfirmed.
Seoul International Book Fair 20 June - 23 June http://www.kpa21.or.kr/
American Library Association Conference Date and venue not yet fixed. www.ala.org
Tokyo International Book Fair 3 - 6 July http://www.bookfair.jp/en/
Big event for Asian book trade, giving access to the world's second biggest book market.
Hong Kong Book Fair 17 - 23 July http://hkbookfair.hktdc.com/en/index.aspx
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 study shows that 60% of the people of Hong Kong spend more than 5 hours a week reading).
Beijing International Book Fair 29 August - 2 September www.bibf.net
Important fair for publishers from all over the world who are interested in getting into the booming Chinese market, this has rapidly established itself as an essential stop on the international rights circuit.
London Remainder and Promotional Book Fair 15 - 16 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 26 - 29 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 bills itself as an international literary festival.
Frankfurt Book Fair 9 - 13 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. Brazil is Guest f Honour.
(See our Inside Publishing article on the Frankfurt Book Fair, recently revised)
Toronto International Antiquarian Book Fair 12 - 14 October http://www.torontoantiquarianbookfair.com
The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Canada's international antiquarian book fair featuring 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 20 - 25 November
www.salondulivredemontreal.com
Sharjah International Book Fair November
'For the love of the written world' is its motto. The 32nd fair will continue to draw in an international audience, with 800 publishers from 42 countries and 400,000 visitors last year. http://www.sharjahbookfair.com
Feria International del Libro de Guadalajara Mexico 30 November - 8 December. This is supposed to be the largest Spanish book event in the world. www.fil.com.mx/ingles/i_default.asp
