London Book Fair (LBF) - Wednesday

Day three

LBF 2009 had 1613 companies exhibiting from 54 countries.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, gave the keynote speech and is being quoted as saying that Google is no threat to publishers. He also said that computer games are the one threat to young male literacy.





Some, slightly random, facts from Boris Johnson’s speech:

• Shakespeare had a vocabulary of 21 000 words
• Churchill had a vocab of 64 000 words
• German has 185 000 words
• And English has 500 000 words - which makes it the best language for books, with such a large choice of words!
  
• The phrase ‘big cheese’ come from Hindi

According to a poll at the book fair only 53% of UK publishers have digital plans in place, whilst 43% have no arrangements for the digital future.

More buzzwords and phrases:

• Monetise content
• Digital Rights Management (DRM)
• Digital space

The Digital Zone was as popular on day 3 as day 1 – shame that the ‘theatre’ was so small, so the majority of the audience had to stand. It does show that there is interest in eBooks and ereaders, especially when the content of an eBook is not just text, but images can be displayed too.




HarperCollins have selected Tolkien titles as eBooks, which were on display the HC stand on the Sony ereader.

London Book Fair - A few facts and photos from Tuesday

Click on the image above to see larger version

Day Two




A day of seminars, including what the publishing industry may be like in 2020 (left) and the Keynote Seminar – Digital Publishing (right).














Favourite snippets from today:

“In the future publishers will be geared to the international world. With editors, printing presses, authors all working in different parts of the world and time zones.” It sounds like BeWrite Books are already in the future!

“Smaller indie publishers maybe unable to match major players’ digital infrastructure, but that lets you take risks, be more innovative and helps forge closer ties with readers.” Dan Franklin, Canongate

Keywords or phrases so far at LBF 2009:

• Digital revolution
• Disintermediation
• Interoperable DRM
• Content is King
• Futurscape
• Price Parity (of eBooks, paperbacks and hardbacks)
  
• Piracy (of digital content)
  

More facts, figures and sites to investigate.

• "The internet will the main retail channel for book sales in Britain within 3 years, despite accounting for only 14% of current sales." PubTrack
• "Online content and adverts account for twice as much importance as print reviews.’"Kelly Gallagher
• Authonomy is visited by editors, agents and publishers who read what is posted and take note of it too.
• Bookbox a book video site to provide a platform for publishers to showcase their author and book videos.
• Book Army even though it’s designed by Harper Collins, it has books from all publishers and it is a social networking site for all book lovers.

LBF also has less strenuous events for visitors.

Sarah Waters being interviewed by her editor, Lennie Goodings, and discussing her new book The Little Stranger








And wafting delicious smells throughout Earls Court Two is the LBF Gourmand Cook Book Corner. Trina Hahnemann from Denmark begins to cook the first of three dishes.

London Book Fair - A few facts & photos from Monday

Day 1

Visitor numbers at LBF are down this year, but only by 2%. It still feels as busy as previous years.

New this year the Digital Zone
The Digital Zone provides short seminars on all aspects of the digital book industry.







Luckily the seminars are short as the seats are the most uncomfortable ones in Earls Court!

Peter Tomlinson, author of The Petronicus Legacy series, (available in paperback and eBook) perusing the Sony eBook reader and rather impressed with the results.

Some surprising statistics from around LBF:

• The UK consumes more video online than the rest of Northern Europe
• People now use social networks more than email to keep in contact and pass on information.
• The present demographics of Facebook is 45-54 year olds, it’s no longer a site mainly for the young.
• Two thirds of books bought last year were by people 42 years old or older.
• 14% of UK book sales are online, 28% in US. But 90% of all book sales in US are driven by online marketing.

Author blog tip: Write about your writing, how the next book is going, writing experiences ,etc

The Espresso Book Machine
A machine which can print books in store within 5 minutes of a customer placing the order. And the quality of the books seems to be good too. This machine is on loan from Blackwells bookshop in London, but there are other machines worldwide with more to come. Hopefully a shop, library or university near you will be getting one soon.

Word 2009 - Wigan and Leigh Festival of Words

Saturday 25th April 2009

10am - 12pm

Location: Derby Room, Leigh Library, Turnpike Centre, Civic Square, Market Street, Leigh, United Kingdom.

See full brochure here http://www.bewrite.net/WordsFestival2009.pdf

Page 14 has more information with regards to events on the 25th

A chance to meet authors, poets, buy books, chat with fellow writers and publishers (including BeWrite Books). Plus the chance for free books and lots of information about the book world!

Why an author should attend London Book Fair

Written a book and can’t find a publisher? We’ve all been there! Consider attending the annual London Book Fair at Earls Court April 20th – 22nd 2009 - the biggest in the UK. Full details can easily be found here

Attendees can get a reduction if they register online. They also get access to their own online diary about a month in advance so their programme can be planned.

The fair is massive and covers the entire floor space of Earls Court.

Authors can attempt to make appointments in advance with literary agents, book scouts, editors, commissioning agents and rights dealers from all over the world through the online diary.

Visitors can attend free seminars on: how to approach publishers, how to market your book and future trends in publishing etc. These seminars are popular and very useful. Seminar programme

An author should take plenty of flyers advertising their work (genre info, extracts, synopsis, literary record etc) most will end up in the bin but never mind, some will be read and who knows a guy might say ‘oh, yea, this looks good.’

See you there!

Peter Tomlinson - author of The Petronicus Legacy – a series of three novels published by BeWrite Books.

The London Book Fair is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels.

Taking place every spring in the world’s premier publishing and cultural capital it is a unique opportunity to hear from authors, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and explore innovations shaping the publishing world of the future. The London Book Fair brings you three days of focused access to customers, content and emerging markets.

Ruthin Book Fair - 28th Feburary 2009

February is not renowned for being the most uplifting month of the year, but if you love books this year there is an inspirational treat in store. On Sat Feb 28th From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ruthin’s oldest timbered town house Nantclwyd y Dre is throwing open its parlour to a writers’ fair.

This is a really exciting and unusual opportunity for booklovers to meet and talk with published writers in a relaxed and informal setting. It will also be an opportunity for writers to meet other writers and for local writing groups to attract new membership and benefit from the chance to rub shoulders with a wealth of literary talent.

A fascinating mix of people have already booked, starting locally with Aled Lewis Evans, author, hugely popular creative writing tutor in North Wales and 2008 judge of Flintshire’s Poetry Power competition.

From further afield we have Judith Kazantzis, artist and poet with ten published collections and a novel, Of Love And Terror (Saqi 2002). Judith is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at Sussex University and a winner of the Cholmondeley Award for poetic achievement. She is coming up from London with her husband Irving Weinman, the author of five critically acclaimed novels, founding director of the Key West Writer's Workshop, and tutor in Creative Writing at the University of Sussex. His sixth novel, Wolf Tones, will be published in March, 2009.

Helen Tookey, Journals Production Editor of Liverpool University Press will be coming (hopefully with her publisher) to promote her intriguing collaboration of poems and photographs Telling the Fractures (Axis Projects 2008)

Thelma Hancock who lives in North Wales, is coming. She has one novel published, Relative Dating (Pegasus 2008) and another, Tree Dimensional due out this year.

Jackie Davies who lives in Bala will also be coming; her first novel, About Elin, was published by Honno in 2007 and she was also one of the authors in Honno’s anthology about women’s relationship to landscape, ‘In Her Element’ (2008.) Dee Rivaz of Bespoke Writing Projects, and Elaine Walker will be there, two more authors from the same anthology. Elaine, is also a freelance writer and Lecturer in English and Creative Writing at the University of Wales, and has recently brought out ‘Horse’ (Reaktionbooks 2008.)

Daffni Percival lives in North Wales teaches languages, writes and publishes stories and poetry and is the contact for the Poetry Society’s North Wales Stanza. She will be there, looking to develop new membership and poetry events for the area, as will the Ruthin Wheel Writers, Mold Pinboard Writers and the Wirral Writers: all groups looking to nurture local talent.

We are hoping that Ruthin’s talented actor and performance poet Gareth Roberts will be able to make it and the dynamic partnership, Huw Davies and his Wife Lal, who have been responsible for enthusing people about the fascinating art of digital storytelling around the globe. Currently last but not least, Sam Smith will be coming down from Cumberland, freelance writer, author, publisher and editor of The Journal.

We would love more authors and writing groups to take part in the fair, table space is free but please contact Dee to book, as space at the fair is limited: dee.rivaz@googlmail.com or 07757714723.

As if this wasn’t enough, down at the Library, between 11.00am - 12.00pm Dominic Williams, Marketing Director of Parthian Books will be giving a talk: ‘From manuscript to publication and beyond’ followed at 2p.m. to 3 p.m. by Mike Parker, author of ‘The Rough Guide to Wales and Neighbours from Hell?’ and presenter of ITV's Great Welsh Roads. Tickets are £5 and, booked in advance, include a day pass to both venues. (Phone Ruthin Library 01824 705274)

The event is being organized and sponsored as part of the World Book Day celebrations by a partnership of Denbighshire Library and Heritage Services, ACADEMI, and Dee Rivaz freelance writer, and director of Bespoke Writing Projects. We hope that all keen readers and writers will come with their families and make this book-fest a huge success. It would be great if it could grow and blossom into an annual event!

Email | Website

Book signing at the Indiana State Fair

A chance to meet local author, Marta Stephens, at the Indiana State Fair.

Marta will be selling and signing copies of her debut novel, Silenced Cry.

Silenced Cry received an Honourable Mention at the 2008 New York Book Awards, so don’t miss your opportunity to buy a copy of the book and meet the author.

The table is located just inside the main door of the Home and Family Arts Building on the grounds.

The Indiana State Fair
Home and Family Arts Building
August 9, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Zimmercon - 8th August 2008

Zimmercon

Where: Chester ...

When: Saturday 30th August 2008 ...

Time: 1pm until 6pm

Quaker Meeting Rooms. Union Walk, Frodsham Street. See map

An afternoon devoted to the Small Press, editors, writers & poets. Come along and meet, listen too, and maybe take part, with some of the stalwarts of the Small Press. This is 'real' grass roots publishing.

Already booked:

• Steve Sneyd of Hilltop Press, writer and well known Science Fiction poet


• Andy Robson editor of the weighty KRAX magazine


• John F. Haines editor & writer of the U.K.'s longest running S.F.
  news broadsheet


• Geoff Stevens editor of 'Purple Patch'


• Well known poet Maureen Wheldon


• Our own local lyricist Shiela Hamilton published writer &
  poet from the Wirral


• Sam Smith now of Cumbria, writer and editor of 'The Journal'. (Select Six, Original Plus, The Journal)

Sam will also be in charge of a book-stall. You can contact him by e-mail

Admission will be free, but donation's will be appreciated on the day. Tea & coffeee will be available throughout a varied afternoons programme. Anyone wishing to take part must contact Peter Presford, as places may be limited.

Contact: Peter E Presford (Malfunction Press) by email Please mark all mails `Zimmercon'

Michael J Hunt in the news

Michael J Hunt, author of the soon to be released Two Days in Tehran, has been featured in the Wigan Evening Post newspaper.

The article refers to the book trailer, which uses photographs from Mike’s real life journey which inspired the novel.

Read the article here: Author uses net to launch novel

Watch the book trailer

London Book Fair 2008

It's getting closer...

April 14th - 16th 2008, Earls Court, London

The London Book Fair is the world's leading spring publishing event for the trading of rights, bookselling and book production services and brings together over 23,000 authors, agents, scouts, editors, publishers, wholesalers, booksellers and librarians from over 115 countries over its 3 day duration.

The London Book Fair is the ideal location to learn about the global publishing industry and London - an international publishing hub and cultural centre in itself.

It is a place to do business, network with peers and clients, meet new contacts, learn about latest developments and have an enjoyable experience.

To register as a visitor, and for more information on The London Book Fair

BeWrite Books will be represented at LBF by its publisher, Cait Myers, so if you’d like to arrange a meet-up, please email us. It would be great to see you.

Two Days in Tehran - Book Launch

Two Days in Tehran is based on a real life journey and a bloody revolution that changed the face of Islam, sending out shockwaves that still affect the world three decades later.

Release date: 4th April 2008

Greg Alexander sets up the ultimate adventure vacation company ... and accidentally treks into the bloody revolution to overthrow the Shah of Iran.

Not only does Greg face treachery on either side of the bitter struggle for power and survival, he soon finds that he can't even trust the seemingly innocent western travellers in his own party.

His life and those of his passengers swing in a precarious balance as Greg tries to make sense of the murky and muddled politics, alliances and feuds of the Middle East and navigate the twisting road to safety.

Excerpt

As part of the Words 2008 festival author, Michael J Hunt, will be launching his new novel, Two Days in Tehran and signing copies of the book.

Location: Santos Coffee Shop in Mesnes street in Wigan, Lancashire, UK.

When: 10.00 until 2.30

All invited to this free event.

More information

The London Book Fair

April 14th-16th 2008

The London Book Fair is the world's leading spring publishing event for the trading of rights, bookselling and book production services and brings together over 23,000 authors, agents, scouts, editors, publishers, wholesalers, booksellers and librarians from over 115 countries over its 3 day duration.

The London Book Fair is the ideal location to learn about the global publishing industry and London - an international publishing hub and cultural centre in itself.

It is a place to do business, network with peers and clients, meet new contacts, learn about latest developments and have an enjoyable experience.

To register as a visitor, and for more information on The London Book Fair

BeWrite Book's publisher, Cait Myers, will be attending LBF. If you wish to meet up for a chat, please do get in contact either by leaving a comment below or by email.

Words Festival 2008

26 letters in the alphabet,

tens of thousands of words,

1 Leigh & Wigan Literary Festival, showcasing some of the best use of words in the region.

The 5th Annual Leigh and Wigan Words Together Literary Festival

Monday 24th March - Saturday 5th April

Tuesday 1 April, 6:30pm

Waterstone’s Local Author Evening

Waterstone’s, Grand Arcade, Wigan

A special event organised by Waterstone’s. To celebrate the wealth of creativity in Wigan, Waterstone’s will be hosting a local author evening. There will be talks and demonstrations by several local authors and a chance to meet and support the local literature scene. Free refreshments will be provided.

Featuring: BeWrite Books author, Michael J Hunt, will be doing a sneak preview reading of his soon to be released novel Two Days in Tehran.

£1. Tickets from Waterstone’s, Wigan.

Friday 4 April, 10:00am - 12:30pm

Book Launch by Local Author Michael Hunt

Michael J Hunt will be upstairs at Santos to sign copies of, and talk about, his new book, Two Days in Tehran (BeWrite Books) about a party of travellers caught up in the 1978 revolution when the Shah of Iran was deposed. Michael Hunt is Chair of the Words Festival Committee; he also runs novel writers’ support groups that meet in the Santos Coffee Bar. Michael’s first two books, published by BeWrite, and available on Amazon, are Matabele Gold and The African Journals of Petros Amm.

FREE.

Saturday 5 April, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Networking Event

This is where writers can receive up-to-date information regarding all aspects of publishing and meet other local writers. Towpath Community Press will display their most recent books and the international publishers, BeWrite Books, will offer a free paperback, ‘First Chapters’, which features an exclusive selection of their published work. This is your opportunity to meet local and national writers and publishers.

Featuring: BeWrite Books authors; Michael J Hunt, Sam Smith and Carol Thistlethwaite. Plus BeWrite Books team members; Cait Myers and Alex Marr.

FREE.

Saturday 5 April, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Hear the Word

Derby Room, Turnpike Centre, Leigh

Please join our local writers and poets and share your poetry and prose at this open-floor event. If you want to share your work with an audience for the first time, or even if you are experienced, then come along and join in.

Featuring: BeWrite Books authors; Michael J Hunt, Sam Smith and Carol Thistlethwaite.

FREE.

To download the complete Words 2008 programme (pdf), click here.

More events featuring BeWrite Books authors can be found here.

Exhibition 5 March - 5 April Hannah Lobley - Paperwork

Words Programme
Monday 24 March Day of Folk
Tuesday 25 March Tyldesley Writers’ Open Day & Workshop
Tuesday 25 March Visit by poet and performer Steve Morris
Tuesday 25 March Alan Hayhurst - Jack the Ripper; His True Story
Tuesday 25 March Orchestration of Waves by John Togher & Paul Bibby
Wednesday 26 March Jim Eldridge - Scriptwriting Workshop
Wednesday 26 March Life in Wigan - Rafiki and the Traveller’s Project
Wednesday 26 March Rosie Lugosi Unwigged
Wednesday 26 March Robert Lloyd Parry: One man show and storytelling event
Thursday 27 March Author visit by Ian Gray
Thursday 27 March Leigh and Atherton Writers Social Evening
Thursday 27 March Open Floor Poetry Extravaganza
Friday 28 March 24 Hour Arty People
Friday 28 March Towpath Press & Local Authors
Saturday 29 March George Alagiah
Saturday 29 March The Wigan Launch of ‘Bookcrossing’
Saturday 29 March The Poetry Picnic
Saturday 29 March Calligraphy for Adults
Saturday 29 March Poet Chris Tutton
Monday 31 March Author visit by Geoff Lee
Monday 31 March Vincent Smith - ‘The Love Poems of Thomas Hardy’
Tuesday 1 April Waterstone’s Local Author Evening
Tuesday 1 April Author visit by Dr Cecil Helman
Tuesday 1 April Sheila Aspinall and Sandre Clays
Thursday 3 April An Afternoon with Stuart Maconie
Thursday 3 April Martin Gurdon - Writers’ Workshop
Thursday 3 April David Gaffney - Powerpoint stories
Friday 4 April Jon Oxendale - A One-Man Under Milk Wood
Friday 4 April Author visit by Ferzanna Riley
Friday 4 April Book launch by local author Michael Hunt
Saturday 5 April Networking event
Saturday 5 April Hear the Word
Saturday 5 April Willpower Youth Theatre