What CEOs are preparing for, the “TikTok Effect” and AI in publishing: The trade programme at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2024
Frankfurt, 31 July 2024 – What trends are emerging in international publishing? How is AI changing the book industry? And what opportunities do the film, streaming and games industries offer when it comes to rights and licensing? At Frankfurter Buchmesse (16-20 October 2024) decision-makers and experts from the international publishing industry will be discussing the topics that are currently defining the industry. Trade visitors can expect a comprehensive programme of events at the 76th book fair, including conferences, talks, workshops and networking sessions.
The “TikTok Effect” and AI in the rights business: The 2024 Frankfurt Rights Meeting
For over 30 years, the Frankfurt Rights Meeting has been the event that brings together all the decision-makers in the book industry’s rights and licensing business. This year’s hybrid conference will kick off with four digital sessions starting in September, followed by a networking event featuring a keynote speech at the Frankfurt fairgrounds on Tuesday, 15 October 2024. Lisanne Mathijssen (Senior Commissioning Editor, HarperCollins Holland) will talk about the increase in exports in English fuelled by trends such as #BookTok. Sara Lloyd (Group Communications Director and Global AI Lead, Pan Macmillan) will talk about current developments, emerging forms of licensing and the impact of AI on day-to-day activities in the rights business. Javier Celaya (Founder of Dosdoce.com) will provide insights into current trends in the audiobook sector. The conference will also shed light on the book markets in the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania.
For tickets and further information: https://www.buchmesse.de/en/rights-licenses/frankfurt-rights-meeting(opens in a new window)
Rights & Licensing: Literary Agents & Scouts Centre sold out
Hosting 320 agencies from 31 countries, the Literary Agents & Scouts Centre (LitAg, Hall 6.2) at the 76th Frankfurter Buchmesse is fully booked: all 540 tables have been reserved. The book markets with the biggest presence at the LitAg are the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Sweden and this year’s Guest of Honour, Italy. Next door, the Publishers Rights Centre is also almost fully booked, with just a few tables left. This is the second year that the book fair has featured this work centre for foreign rights professionals and licensing specialists. Training and networking events for rights and licensing professionals will also be offered on THE ARTS+ Stage. Wednesday afternoon, 16 October, will focus on licensing, and there will be a round table on royalty standards organised in cooperation with the Book Industry Study Group on Friday, 18 October, at 11:00 am.
New: Games Business Centre in Hall 4.1
Frankfurter Buchmesse and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair are jointly expanding their existing film and licensing offerings to include games. Both fairs will feature a new Games Business Centre (Hall 4.1, H29) in order to provide networking opportunities for publishers with the games industry. Trade events at the centres will focus on topics such as the cross-media rights business. Services include a tour throughout the fair for games producers and organised matchmakings. Co-operation partner is the Bologna International Children's Book Fair, with SpielFabrique in a consulting role. The programme over the weekend will be organised together with the agency Nerdic.
Book-to-Screen Day 2024
One focus topic at this year’s Frankfurter Buchmesse will be film and series adaptations. At the Book-to-Screen Day on Friday, 18 October 2024, filmmakers from all over the world will have the opportunity to discover the international book industry’s new stories, characters and ideas. The book fair connects the creative industries by promoting interactions between the publishing industry and the film and streaming sectors – for example, with a tour of the fair for international filmmakers and a curated matchmaking event for film producers, publishers and agents (registration for interested parties: film@buchmesse.de(opens in a new window)). The programme also includes Masterclasses, networking sessions and talks. Partners include ACE Producers, Academy for Children’s Media, Berlinale Co-Production Market, B3 – Festival of the Moving Image, Hessen Film & Medien and TAICCA.
Selected events:
Friday, 18 October 2024, 10:00 am (THE ARTS+ Stage, Hall 4.1): Masterclass “Best Practices for the Film Adaptation Business” with Maÿlis Vauterin and Delphine Clot (Matriochkas Bureau audiovisuel et littéraire).
Friday, 18 October 2024, 11:00 am (THE ARTS+ Stage, Hall 4.1): Book-to-Screen & Screen-to-Book: A Crime Writer’s Life Between Films and Books, with Taiwanese bestselling author Katniss Hsiao (Before We Were Monsters)
Friday, 18 October 2024, 12:00 noon (THE ARTS+ Stage, Hall 4.1): French bestselling author Timothée de Fombelle talks about adapting books for children and young adults
THE ARTS+ Stage: Publishing meets creative industry
Here visitors can take a look into the future: THE ARTS+ Stage in Hall 4.1 is all about new developments, trends and innovations in the publishing sector. This is where the publishing industry comes together with companies and agencies from the creative industry to talk about content and stories from different media sectors. Over the weekend, the focus will be on topics such as comics, manga and anime.
Selected events:
Thursday, 17 October 2024, 10:00 am: Exploring the Benefits of Augmented Reality Picture Books for Neurodivergent Individuals
Thursday, 17 October 2024, 4:00 pm: Creative Europe: EU Funding Opportunities for the Book and Publishing Sector
Artificial intelligence in publishing
How can the publishing industry make optimal use of AI? The trending topic of artificial intelligence will be the focus of numerous events at this year’s book fair.
Selected events:
Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 12:30 pm (Stage 4.0): Beyond the Book – Setting the Course for the Future of Scholarly Communication, organised by Springer Nature
Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 10:00–11:00 am (International Stage): Capitol x Creativity: Harnessing Friction to Fuel Publishing Innovation, with Nadim Sadek (Shimmer AI) and Paula Groves (ImpactX Capital)
Thursday, 17 October 2024, 2:00 pm (Frankfurt Studio): Capitalizing on AI for Smarter Publishing – Boosting Integrity, Tackling Risks, and Setting the Bar, organised by Wiley
Thursday, 17 October 2024, 3:00 pm (Frankfurt Studio): Let Licensing Bloom: The Root of Responsible AI, organised by the Copyright Clearance Center
Responsibility in children’s and young adult literature: Frankfurt Kids Conference
The Frankfurt Kids Conference dedicated to “Paving the Way for the Future: Responsibility in Children’s Book Publishing” on Wednesday, 16 October 2024, will kick off with an interview with bestselling author Cornelia Funke. Ten international experts, including Ken Wilson-Max (Publisher, Kumusha Books (HarperCollins)) and Carolina Ballester (Executive Director, IBBY) will discuss responsibility and accessibility in children’s and young adult literature. After the expert panels, a moderated networking session will provide participants with an opportunity to interact. The conference will be moderated by author and translator Lawrence Schimel. Programme and tickets: https://www.buchmesse.de/en/highlights/professional-programme/special-topics/frankfurt-kids(opens in a new window)
International CEOs in conversation and publishing trends: The Publishing Perspectives Forum
The three-day English-language programme (16–18 October) of the Publishing Perspectives Forum will focus on experts and current developments in the international book industry. This year, the programme will take place in the Frankfurt Studio (Hall 4.0, Foyer) and is free of charge for all trade visitors. Among others, David Shelley (CEO, Hachette Book Group US and Hachette UK) and Arnaud Nourry (CEO and founder of Les Nouveaux Éditeurs in Paris, a newly-formed group of independent French publishers) will be in conversation with Porter Anderson, editor-in-chief of the international trade magazine Publishing Perspectives.
Selected events:
Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 11:00–11:45 am: Executive Talk with David Shelley
Thursday, 17 October 2024, 11:00–11:45 am: Executive Talk with Arnaud Nourry
Friday, 18 October 2024, 11:00–11:45 am: State of Independent Publishing
The Publishing Perspectives Forum is curated by Publishing Perspectives in cooperation with Frankfurter Buchmesse. For more on the programme: https://publishingperspectives.com/pp-forum/(opens in a new window)
International Stage: International trade programme and authors from around the globe
Located in the foyer between Halls 5.1 and 6.1, the International Stage is the international publishing world’s gathering spot. This is the venue for discussions of international book markets, industry trends and the world’s cultural topics. Events focussing on international awards and authors round off the programme.
Selected events:
Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 11:00 am: International Publishing Distribution Forum
Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 1:00–2:00 pm: Patricia Evangelista on her book Some People Need Killing (Time Magazine’s No.1 Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2023)
Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 3:00–4:00 pm: Exploring Japan’s Diverse Manga Universe: Women Manga Artists and the Varied Reader Demographics
Thursday, 17 October 2024, 11.00–12.00 noon: Aficionado Award Ceremony
Thursday, 17 October 2024, 2:30–3:00 pm: From Climate Science to Climate Action, an event organised by the United Nations in cooperation with Frankfurter Buchmesse
Frankfurt Audio: Growth trend continues / Audible, Spotify and exciting newcomers at the fair
The positive developments in the international audiobook market will also be visible at this year’s book fair: the Frankfurt Audio Area in Hall 3.1 has almost doubled in size compared to 2023. Across 640 sqm (2023: 330 sqm), everything will focus on audiobooks, podcasts, audio services and software. From A for Audible to Z for Zebralution, this is where the industry will come together. At their own stands and workstations and at the collective IG Hörbuch stand (3.1, K24/25), new companies and service providers from the audio sector – including Booktrack Philippines Services, Lausch Medien and Synthya – will be present alongside the major players. On the trade visitor days (16–18 October 2024), publishing consultant Carlo Carrenho, the book fair’s Audio Ambassador, will connect interested parties with companies in the audio area. There will also be opportunities for networking during the Happy Hour at the IG Hörbuch stand on Thursday (5:00 pm in the audio area) and the Zebralution Networking Reception at the Frankfurt Studio on Wednesday (from 5:30 pm).
The trade programme at the Frankfurt Studio on Wednesday, 16 October 2024, will provide in-depth insights into the international audio market and its current developments. Speakers will include Amanda D’Acierno (President and Publisher, Penguin Random House Audio Group), Jon Watt (Trade Audio & Business Development Director, Bonnier Books UK), Owen Smith (VP of Audiobooks Product, Spotify), Aurelie de Troyer (Head of Regional Content Europe, Audible) and Niclas Sandin (CEO, BookBeat).
Selected events:
Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 2:00–2.30 pm (Frankfurt Studio, Foyer, Hall 4.0)
Audible landscape: What’s next for audio, building audience and creating breakout authors
Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 2:30–3:00 pm (Frankfurt Studio, Foyer, Hall 4.0)
Spotify Audiobooks: The Next Chapter for Authors and Publishers
Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 3:00–4:00 pm (Frankfurt Studio, Foyer, Hall 4.0)
The European Audiobook Listener 2024: A Data Deep Dive into the Key Markets
Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 4:00–4:45 pm (Frankfurt Studio, Foyer, Hall 4.0)
Meeting the Demand: Audio Strategies with Amanda D'Acierno and Jon Watt, chaired by Publishing Perspectives
Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 5:00–6:00 pm (Frankfurt Studio, Foyer, Hall 4.0)
The Power of Data: How to Amplify Your Audio Marketing Strategy, followed by a networking reception organised by Zebralution
At the weekend in the Frankfurt Audio Area, the Hörbuchwelten Bühne powered by Bookwire will offer a variety of highlights for audiobook and podcast fans.
New: Stage 4.0 for science, specialist information, education and publishing partners
Hall 4.0 is the home base for international science publishers, providers of specialised information, EdTech players and publishing partners such as distributors. The new Stage 4.0 (H104) will offer these participants their own event area. The UK-based creative agency BookMachine will kick things off on Wednesday, 16 October 2024, at 10:00 am with a keynote presentation on marketing for science and educational publishers. On Thursday morning, publishing partners take over the stage; Friday will be dedicated to the library sector.
Selected events:
Thursday, 17 October 2024, 9:30 am: SSP & TSK Micro-Conference
Thursday, 17 October 2024, 2:30 pm: Growth Opportunities in the Digital Business for Trade Publishers
Friday, 18 October 2024, 10:00 am: Charleston Micro-Conference in cooperation with Publishing Perspectives
On Saturday and Sunday, the stage will be the venue for Campus Weekend, with happenings for students and young professionals and events on topics related to popular science.
Centre of Words – Stage for literature and translation
The main meeting point for activities related to literature and translation, the new Centre of Words (4.1 F21) will feature its own stage and a networking area for meetings and interactions. The diverse stage programme with German-speaking and international guests will focus on various aspects of the translation profession. The Association of Literary Translators (VdÜ) will ensure that the Guest of Honour, Italy, has a significant presence, with events highlighting small publishers (Thursday, 17 October, 5:00 pm), female self-determination (Friday, 18 October, 2:00 pm) and decolonial perspectives (Friday, 18 October, 3:00 pm) in Italian literature. The Centre of Words is jointly supported by the German Translators’ Fund and the German Literature Fund, with additional support provided by the Federal Government’s Commissioner for Culture and the Media and Kunststiftung NRW, in cooperation with Frankfurter Buchmesse.
Education Forum in Hall 3.1
The Education Forum is located in Hall 3.1 (D12), where German-language education and science publishers will be present, among others. The German-speaking programme of events at the Education Forum, jointly organised by Verband Bildungsmedien e. V. and Frankfurter Buchmesse, addresses topics from Germany’s current education debate. This year, the programme’s lectures, talks and discussions will focus on artificial intelligence, democracy education and reading promotion.
Writing and self-publishing: Hall 1.2 on trade visitor days
The area in Hall 1.2 is a new meeting place at the fair for fans of the New Adult, Dark Romance and Fantasy genres. On trade visitor days as well as at the weekend, the New Adult Stage (1.2, D32) will offer events on the topics “Everything to Do with Writing” and “Self-publishing”. One English-speaking event highlight about New Adult publishing from the Philippines will be taking place on Friday, 18 October 2024 (10:00–10:30 am).
Digital formats before the start of the fair: The Hof and Masterclasses
Masterclasses and the online networking format “The Hof” invite members of the international publishing industry to exchange ideas in the digital space before the start of the book fair in October. Participation in both formats is free of charge. More information: https://www.buchmesse.de/en/highlights/professional-programme/digital-formats(opens in a new window)
The Calendar of Events with all offerings for trade visitors and the general public at Frankfurter Buchmesse is scheduled to go online at www.buchmesse.de(opens in a new window) at the end of August.
Tickets for trade visitors and the general public are now available at:
https://www.buchmesse.de/en/visit/tickets(opens in a new window)
Using Frankfurter Buchmesse’s new digital platform Frankfurt Connect, publishing professionals all over the world can now network digitally free of charge: https://connect.buchmesse.de/newfront(opens in a new window)
Contact for the media:
Press and Corporate Communication, Frankfurter Buchmesse, press@buchmesse.de(opens in a new window)
Dr Torsten Casimir, Vice President | Communications & Content, casmir@buchmesse.de(opens in a new window)
Ines Bachor, PR Manager, Phone: +49 69 2102 189, bachor@buchmesse.de(opens in a new window)
> Find all press releases and photos on our website. buchmesse.de/en/press(opens in a new window)
About Frankfurter Buchmesse
Frankfurter Buchmesse is the international publishing industry’s biggest trade fair and the most important international marketplace for content – from novels and children’s books to academic databases and stories for films, games and virtual reality experiences. Publishing professionals from around the world meet here with partners from the technology sector and from related creative and cultural industries, sparking new partnerships and business models. Since 1976, the book fair has featured an annual Guest of Honour country, which showcases its book market, literature and culture to attendees in a variety of ways. Frankfurter Buchmesse organises the participation of German publishers at international book fairs and hosts trade events throughout the year in major international markets. Frankfurter Buchmesse is a subsidiary of the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (German Publishers & Booksellers Association). buchmesse.de/en(opens in a new window)