Last month, my peers and I flocked to the capital, alongside 30,000 other attendees for the 2024, London Book Fair (LBF). The Olympia was abuzz with industry professionals exchanging deals, household names highlighting their latest releases and most importantly discussions on the challenges the publishing industry are facing and how to overcome them. This three-day event was truly jam packed with the best and brightest of the industry and well I, quite frankly, was overwhelmed.

Rewind several months earlier when the words London Book Fair were first mentioned. I knew immediately that I wanted to attend: a room full of likeminded people who were enthusiastic and driven about books? Sign me up! I viewed this as an opportunity to observe the inner workings of the industry and have a peak behind the curtain, but nothing prepared me for that first day when I got swept amongst the sea of people into what could only be described as a city of stalls. So, for those of you who may be embarking on this journey for the first time, here are some words of advice to help you along the way.

The essentials

Before stepping foot into the venue make sure you packed the necessities: power bank, lunch, or snacks (trust me on this one) and most importantly, a reusable bottle (hydration is key). If you have a packed day ahead also make sure that you have opted for comfortable footwear, you will be getting those steps in.

Scheduling

It might seem like an obvious one, but planning for the day ahead can help you maximize your time to fit in the panels you wish to attend and any publishers you would like to engage with. You should prepare to queue for extended periods of time, especially for those sought after main stage discussions. Also be realistic with your planning, the Olympia is a large-scale venue and can takes some time to move around in, especially with there often being queues and crowds of people.

You deserve to take up space

Being a student at LBF can be daunting and networking can almost feel impossible as many publishers have meetings scheduled back-to-back. Be realistic with who you interact with and be aware that certain areas of the fair (International Rights Centre) are off bounds for anyone who does not have a scheduled meeting. If there is an individual you want to chat with, e-mail them beforehand or reach out through platforms like LinkedIn. It will give them notice and give you time to prepare any questions you have but keep it short.

From personal experience there is moments where it can feel like you don’t have anything to offer or add but you are one of the next generation of publishers and your perspective and opinion matters. Use those panel discussion to ask those burning questions and absorb as much information as you can. Also keep an eye out for any opportunities to volunteer for LBF as it can offer a different perspective, create opportunities to interact with industry professionals and from my own experience, debating room capacity with a journalist will test your communication skills like no other.

Finally, it’s okay to take a break and remember to have fun!

Image: Aaron Burden, via Unsplash. Available at: https://unsplash.com/photos/gray-and-black-fountain-pen-and-book-o-ubWHV29Uk Date accessed. [12 April 2024]