By Edward Nawotka

The Bologna Children’s Book Fair may be forced to reinstate its fourth day following protests from international publishers, reports The Bookseller. Fair organizers decided to shorten the event from four days to three without consulting exhibitors, or without a reduction of fees. Numerous publishers have refused to pay deposits for next year exhibits until the fourth day is added. At the moment, the fair is now scheduled to take place from Tuesday 23rd to Thursday 25th March 2010. Of course, that may change…

In 2011, the London Book Fair will offer a “Market Focus” on Russia, following India this year and South Africa in 2010. According to Publishers Weekly’s report by Lynn Andriani, “Tying in to the market focus, the Federal Agency for Press and Mass Communications and the Russkiy Mir Fund are launching a program of grants to British publishers for translation of Russian literature into English.” According to Russia’s Federal Agency for Press and Mass Communications, there are more than 5,700 publishers in Russia, producing around 123,000 new and revised titles each year.

Consider this: Earlier this week, Disney bought Marvel Comics for $4 billion — which, if the Chinese population were Marvel Comics, would be the equivalent of giving every person in China (estimated to total 1.3 billion people) $2.50 each — or just about the price of one new comic book.