Second Canadian Booksellers Association Event Set for May 28-30

The Canadian Booksellers Association's second annual national conference set for May 28 to 30 promises to be bigger than the organization's first effort to create a successor to BookExpo Canada last year. Increased publisher participation may be the clearest sign of growth. Last year, only seven publishers set up display tables with Penguin Group (Canada) as the sole multinational participating, although others provided financial support through the Canadian Publishers Council. This year, however, there will be twice as many publishers exhibiting, including the Literary Press group representing multiple independent publishers as well as HarperCollins Canada, Simon & Schuster Canada, and Penguin Group (Canada).

AFCC: New Festival Highlights Children's Content from Asia

The inaugural Asian Festival of Children's Content www.afcc.com.sg came to a close on May 9. More than 600 authors, illustrators, publishers, retailers, distributors, rights agencies and media professionals converged at The Arts House in Singapore to listen to 70 speakers from 15 countries including the US, UK, Canada, France, New Zealand and Australia discuss materials for children and how Asian content can get greater attention internationally.

LBF Offers 'Thank You' Package

With questions swirling about what, if anything, Reed Exhibitions would offer attendees and exhibitors who were unable to make it to last week's London Book Fair, the show's organizer issued a letter answering that question.

Going Digital: Two LBF Panels

The Westminster Room at the London Book Fair proved to be a study in contrasts on the first morning of the fair this past Monday. Two consecutive conferences discussed issues pivotal to the future of the publishing industry as it wrestles with—and readjusts to the effects of—technology. The conferences showcased a stark difference in the way the old guard and the new guard of children's book publishing could engage with the evolving possibilities online.

Steve Rubin Signs British Producer to Two-Book Deal

While the elusive "big book" may be even more elusive at this year's London Book Fair with so many American agents unable to attend, deals are still happening. Macmillan's Steve Rubin just closed a major two-book deal, his first big fiction acquisition since he arrived at Holt, buying David Snodin's Iago and Gnoeril.

BEA Next Stop for LBF (Non) Attendees

With the London Book Fair concluded, the attention of many American publishing industry members is shifting from worries on how to get to the fair to what can be done to compensate for lost meetings and appointments. Adding to BEA and using some new tech tools are some of the plans.

LBF Digital Conference: It's All About the Smartphones

Hype about the iPad was refreshingly absent from the London Book Fair Digital Conference on Sunday (18 April), well attended in spite of the inevitable, volcanic ash-induced absences. Instead, there was a good deal of attention on iPhones and other smartphones.

LBF Does Go On...Volcano and All

Despite the huge monkey wrench the suddenly active Icelandic volcano put in many Americans' (and some Europeans') plans to attend the London Book Fair, spirits among both attendees and those who stayed behind were relatively high. As many in the industry noted, while doing business face-to-face is optimal, work can be done remotely. And, of course, London isn't just about what the Americans brings to the fair.

British Authors Also Grounded Because of Volcano

London Book Fair: Americans MIA

With flights being canceled in droves because of the volcanic ash cloud hanging over Europe, many American publishers and agents will not be able to make it to the London Book Fair, which will nevertheless go forward.

LBF vs. the Volcano: Fair Planners Say Show Will Go On

With London's Heathrow airport closed for a second day as a result of volcanic ash being spit into European air space by an erupting volcano in Iceland, those in the publishing community are dealing with delayed flights and mounting concerns about how, and if, they will be able to get to the fair.

London Book Fair -- Missed Connections

Have you had to change your travel plans for the London Book Fair? Click through for details on attendees' updated schedules. And please contact Jim Milliot at jmilliot@reedbusiness.com, if you would like send along your information.

London Briefcase, Part II: What the Agents Are Bringing to the Fair

Simon Winchester delves into the life story of an ocean, Francine Pascal revisits her Sweet Valley High twins, Philip K. Dick’s notes are opened up, and Anthony Bourdain returns to the kitchen. These are just a few of the literary goings-on among the titles the American agencies are shopping in London.

Back to Business At Bologna

After a 2009 fair, when many Americans stayed home over economic worries, the 2010 Bologna Children's Book Fair proved a much more upbeat gathering. “There's a lot of activity, and everyone I'm talking to seems positive,” said Andrew Smith, deputy publisher of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, during the fair, which ran from March 23 to 26.

Bologna Gets Back to Business

After a 2009 fair when many Americans stayed home over economic worries, the 2010 Bologna Children's Book Fair proved a much more upbeat gathering. "There's a lot of activity, and everyone I'm talking to seems positive," said Andrew Smith, deputy publisher of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. HarperCollins children's rights director Helen Boomer said it was "great to see many of the publishers who skipped last year return this year." And Penguin Young Readers associate publisher Jennifer Haller reported, "People are chatting about what the year's going to hold. There are a lot of really good conversations."

Barbra Streisand to Headline BEA

BEA will be getting a little glitz on opening night when actress and singer Barbra Streisand takes the stage at the Opening Night Keynote Reception on Tuesday, May 25. Streisand will be interviewed about her first book, My Passion for Design, which Viking will publish on November 16.

Fiction Hot, Digital Not at Upbeat Bologna

The mood at this year's Bologna Book Fair has been much improved over last year when publishers were dealing with the impact of the worldwide recession. Young adult titles and series are drawing the most attention, but there remains caution about what to do on the digital front. "There's a lot of activity and everyone's very upbeat. Last year this place was dead," said Stephen Roxburgh, now with his new company namelos. "But I walked in yesterday morning and you could feel the energy." Roxburgh, who says he's on a one-man hunt to find a "digital pulse" at the fair, reports that the fair's overwhelming focus continues to be "ink on paper," but says he's finding people more receptive to the digital idea.

David Almond, Jutta Bauer Win Hans Christian Andersen Awards

The 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Award, the most prestigious international award for children's books, has been given to British author David Almond and German illustrator Jutta Bauer. The award was announced Tuesday afternoon at the Bologna Book Fair.

London Briefcase: What the Big Six Are Bringing to the Fair

Glenn Beck rants about conspiracy theories (this time in fiction), Steve Martin explores the art world, Gary Shteyngart gets romantic, Jimmy Carter unlocks his diary, Laura Bush unlocks her life, and Drs. Oz and Roizen tackle parenting. These are just a few of the highlights you'll find among the books the “big six” are selling at the 2010 London Book Fair.

BEA and Above the Treeline Partner for Books@BEA

BEA is partnering with publishing business software company Above the Treeline to create a new online catalog at this May's trade show, featuring information about the titles on exhibit.