The London Book Fair
16 – 18 April 2012
Earls Court Exhibition Centre


Now in its 41st year, The London Book Fair continues to be the global market place and leading business-2-business exhibition for rights negotiation and the sales and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels.

With over 400 seminars and events, 1,500 international exhibiting companies and 24,500 publishing professionals, The London Book Fair encompasses the broad spectrum of the publishing industry.



Market Focus 2012

Celebrating 9 years of Market Focus

The London Book Fair Market Focus initiative aims to showcase major new markets and provide a platform for UK and international publishers to liaise with their foreign counterparts, and seek out and capitalise on new business partnerships.

In 2012 China Market Focus and the associated cultural programme will place a spotlight on contemporary Chinese authors and China as an important publishing arena.

Over 180 publishers will come from China as part of the professional programme, alongside 21 Chinese authors, in partnership with the British Council which has been our Market Focus strategic partner for the last five years.

This year marks the largest Market Focus programme of events since LBF launched the initiative in 2004 with the specific aim of building publishing relations between major emerging markets and the rest of this world. In previous years our programme included Mexico, the Arab World, India, South Africa and Russia amongst others.


Film & Television

Seize the opportunity and take a deeper look into one of our books

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The King's Speech: all award winning box office hits that started life as books.

Bringing together film & TV producers with over 400 literary agencies and publishers offering content with screen adaptation potential, as well as a full seminar programme and networking events, The London Book Fair is truly unmissable for the film & TV community.

With a range of seminars and networking events there are plenty of opportunities available for those involved in the adaptation process to meet to gain and share knowledge.


Discover Digital at LBF

The London Book Fair Digital Zone

The Digital Zone has become the must attend event for CMS, distribution, platforms, applications, device tablets, mobile e-readers and other digital solutions.

Past and present exhibitors include:
Sony, Bebook, Supadu, Aptara, Hanwang, Mark Logic, Easypress, Ingram Digital, Directboks, iPublishCentral, Sideways, CodeMantra, IDPF, Kobo, Aquafadas, Elonex.


Children’s and Young Adult Publishing at LBF

Love Learning – Children's Publishing

The 2012 Children's Publishing seminar stream is packed full with an impressive array of speakers, authors, debate, stats, innovative ideas and fun! Look out for Michael Rosen; Celia Rees; Julia Donaldson; Bali Rai; Patrick Ness; Mal Peet; Moira Young and many others.

Participating organisations include Booktrust; HarperCollins: Bath Kids Literary Festival; Walker Books and DiscoverStories. Such is the demand for these seminars, that we will be live-streaming them to the Foyer outside the Westminster room.

Children's Innovation Zone

The Children's Innovation Zone is dedicated to promoting exciting new ideas specific to Children's publishing. Located in Earls Court 1, at the heart of the Children's Zone, the Innovation Zone will host 20 minute presentations throughout each day of the fair.

Author of The Day 2012 - Patrick Ness

On Wednesday 18th April the spotlight will be on Award-winning author Patrick Ness, whose Chaos Walking trilogy won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Costa Children’s Book of the Year Prize, and the Booktrust Teenage Prize.

Patrick Ness said: "For a bibliophile, book fairs are like heaven's backstage. Books everywhere, book lovers everywhere, and new and exciting things on every corner. I'm delighted and honoured to be Author of the Day at The London Book Fair.”


Literary Translation

An increasingly important aspect of global publishing, literary translation is a powerful tool for bridging the gap between cultures and gaining insight into different ways of life and ideals. It also serves to help discover unexpected literary gems and bring some of the world's greatest literary works to new audiences.

The Literary Translation Centre at The London Book Fair has established itself as a highly popular and successful hub to promote and highlight the art of literary translation in the UK and abroad. Bringing together translators, editors, publishers, students and writers, to discover, debate and share expertise on all aspects of literary translation, it is a lively forum where those passionate about translation can to network, attend a variety of seminars and build relationships that will further the publishing of literature in translation both in the UK and internationally.


What's on for Authors

For advice on self-publishing, marketing your book and seminars about authorship, The London Book Fair is the place for authors to navigate the publishing industry.

Author Lounge

Situated in the busy cross over between Earls Court 1 and 2, the Author Lounge comprises almost 80 square metres of space in which to listen to seminars and presentations, chat, discuss projects and ask questions.

Experts in the publishing and self-publishing industry from Fast-Print, Matador and Autharium will present seminars each day and, new for 2012, host Advice Clinics thoughout the day. These clinics will give you the opportunity to ask professionals direct questions on the issues that are pressing to you, get an expert opinion on your manuscript and receive hints and tips to refresh and invigorate your writing career.

Love Learning – Education & Events

As well as The Author Lounge, The London Book Fair provides a wide range of informative seminars and events with celebrated authors, many of which will offer inspiration and ideas for authors at all levels whether you are looking to get your first book published or advance your career as an established writer.

New Title Showcase

The New Title Showcase is a feature of LBF that provides authors and publishers a venue in an area where their book will be displayed in front of LBF's entire attendee base - from editors and publishers, to agents, distributors, book buyers and more!


Authors of the Day 2012

The London Book Fair are delighted to announce bestselling authors Peter James, Bi Feiyu and Patrick Ness as the three Authors of the Day for 2012.

This popular initiative, introduced in 2006, will see the authors each spend one day at the Fair, where they will showcase their work. Register to attend LBF and see the authors across a programme of seminars, book signings, events and photo opportunities.