The London Book Fair 2023 Initiative for Publishers, Authors and Translators from Malta (18-20 April)*

  1. Kunsill Nazzjonali Tal-Ktieb
  2. Literary Exports
  3. London Book Fair
  4. The London Book Fair 2023 Initiative for Publishers, Authors and Translators from Malta (18-20 April)*




Posted on February 22, 2023

* with partial funding by the National Book Council

The National Book Council is proud to launch the London Book Fair 2023 Initiative for Publishers, Authors and Translators from Malta, through which three selected participants may receive a travel and accommodation subsidy and an exhibitor pass to attend the London Book Fair 2023 at Olympia London on 18-20 April. A total of further 20 guest passes/badges can be allocated on a first-come-first served basis to National Book Council’s stakeholders who apply for it. This initiative seeks to provide a platform for these publishing industry players to network and participate in the global book market, both in the short and long term.

While the increased accessibility of communication technologies has made the world market more accessible to many players, it remains a challenge for smaller, independent companies to establish themselves in the international arena. The National Book Council recognizes the challenge faced by Maltese publishers and authors in navigating the international publishing market and is dedicated to fostering their success. As part of this effort, the Council is offering a unique opportunity for Maltese publishers, translators and authors to connect with key industry players at the London Book Fair. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to help increase the number of foreign rights deals and, in turn, generate a new source of revenue for the local publishing industry.

The application period for the London Book Fair 2023 Initiative for Publishers, Authors and Translators from Malta will close on 28 February 2023.

About the Programme

The selected participants will undergo an online seminar programme with the National Book Council in preparation for the fair. Topics such as foreign rights agreements, the role of agents and pitching will be covered, and participants will receive individualized advice based on the publishers’ list and authors’ works mentioned in the application form.

As part of the total subsidy, the National Book Council will book a place for the selected three participants to attend the Introduction to Rights Conference on Monday 17 April: https://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/en-gb/whats-on/conferences/intro-rights.html (value of £174 per person – €195 ca.). Attendance to this seminar is compulsory as part of the total subsidy.

The successful applicants and any other of the Maltese badge-holders who wish to attend will be given a guided walk around the Book Fair by a literary agent and a two-hour seminar over lunch to illustrate the concepts of pitching a book, the role of a literary agent, foreign rights sales.

As badge-holders, selected applicants will be able to attend any seminar, talk, book launch, discussion, author events taking place over the three days of the London Book Fair. Find more information here: https://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/en-gb/whats-on/seminar-programme/programme.html#/sessions

Travel, Accommodation and Exhibition Expenses

The National Book Council will provide a subsidy for travel and accommodation expenses for three participants from Malta, who will also enjoy the use of the NBC exhibition stand at no cost, receive exhibitor or guest passes for the London Book Fair and attend the Introduction to Rights Conference on 17 April (https://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/en-gb/whats-on/conferences/intro-rights.html). The books proposed in the application form will be exhibited at the NBC stand.

Eligibility

The London Book Fair 2023 Initiative for Publishers, Authors and Translators from Malta is intended for Maltese publishers and authors who own the rights to the works they wish to pitch at the London Book Fair. If such agreements are not in place in the original publishing contracts, the publisher and/or author must make efforts to sign such agreements in the form of an addendum to the publishing contract or a proxy agreement before participating in the fair. To be eligible, participants must have previously selected the titles for which they wish to pitch and be actively engaged in the export of Maltese literature.

A maximum of three applicants will be funded through this initiative for a total subsidy of €700 per application for the full duration of the Fair (Monday 17-Thursday 20 April). The fee includes the €195 fee for the Introduction to Rights Conference on 17 April, €505 for travel and accommodation expenses, and two exhibitor badges per application. A pro-rata fee for travel and accommodation will be calculated for fewer days. No other expenses can be funded or refunded. Please apply here: https://forms.gle/rvKBZzEHZirvmC1B7

A total of further 20 guest passes/badges are also available to enter the London Book Fair and can be obtained by using this separate application form. These will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please apply here: https://forms.gle/oBkWPc5dU7DWE2sd6

Selection criteria

The selection process will be assessing the thoroughness of the application form and will be based on the following criteria:

  • strategy of the applicant for his participation in the London Book Fair, including an indication of modus operandi;
  • short-term goals and overarching mission of the applicant, including awareness of strengths and weaknesses related to previous visits, previous pitching exercises;
  • action plan to maximise participation in preparation of the visit, including acquiring rights to pitch for the publication as part of a publishing agreement or a proxy signed with its copyright owner.

Payment

The Introduction to Rights Conference will be prepaid by the National Book Council (€195). The travel and accommodation will be paid as a refund upon presentation on receipts of flight and accommodation, for a total of €505 euro for the full duration of the Fair (Monday 17-Thursday 20 April), or pro-rata for fewer days.

A report feeding back on the experience, any results and any suggestions will need to be shared with the NBC by 31 May 2023.

Share Article