The London Book Fair attracts thousands of publishers and agents from all over the world and acts as a forum for information exchange and networking opportunities. We work closely with the organisers to provide visitors from developing and emerging markets within the publishing industry with the opportunity to forge new relationships with their counterparts in the UK. The LBF Market Focus was on the Arab World in 2008 - you can find information about our related New Arabic Books website listed here.

In 2009 India was centre stage at the London Book Fair Market Focus, delivered by the British Council in partnership with The London Book Fair.  The programme takes a fresh look at the commercial opportunities that 21st century India has to offer, while building on the thriving trade and cultural relationship that already exists in particular between India and the UK.  

Around 75 stands were taken by the Indian book industry at this year’s Fair, double the space taken by India in 2008. These included publishers from across the spectrum - including Academic, Art and Children’s publishers and companies providing publishing solutions - giving a taste of the broad range of India’s services and products. Publishers attended from all over the country, from New Delhi, Chennai, Pondicherry, Kolkata, Pune and Mumbai, reflecting the diversity of the Indian publishing industry.

The British Council also arranged a series of public events in London around the time of the Fair as part of the ‘India Through Fresh Eyes’ Cultural Programme to include:

•Nobel Prize winning writer, economist and philosopher Amartya Sen who gave the keynote speech at the prestigious Chairman’s Breakfast, entitled 'India in the Modern World'

•Vikram Seth, award-winning novelist and poet, who was Author of the Day and took part in a programme of events throughout the day to mark the occasion

•A Market Focus reception at the Kensington Roof Gardens

•A Professional programme for Publishers.

For more information on the various events, click here.

In partnership with the Booksellers Association, the British Council has produced a list of books, available in a reasonable delivery time in the UK, through which it is hoped readers will develop a broader understanding, appreciation and respect for Indian writing. Please click here for a copy of the booklist.

What we do every year at the Book Fair:

International Welcome Point (IWP)
We run the IWP, which reflects both our and London Book Fair’s commitment to welcoming overseas publishers to the UK. IWP provides space for business meetings, internet access and information services.

International Young Publishing Entrepreneur 2009
This initiative is an innovative collaboration between us and London Book Fair to identify and nurture the international publishing industry’s next generation of leaders. Central to this concept is the belief that the UK – both at and beyond London Book Fair – is a fertile ground for international networking.

'It’s a wonderful opportunity to come to a country with such a strong publishing industry and to learn the way the publishing sector works here.'
Eduardo Rabasa, IYPY winner 2004 (our first winner)

UK Young Publishing Entrepreneur 2009
This award, again a collaboration between us and London Book Fair, recognises the potential of an individual to be a future leader of the publishing sector in the UK and, indeed, internationally. The award is a British Book Industry Award (Nibbie). Archived details about the 2008 award(s) can be seen here.