International Rights Trade Grows at Brazil’s Bienal do Livro Rio

In News by Hannah Johnson

As Brazilian publishers look to boost their rights business, the Bienal do Livro in Rio de Janeiro prepares to host its Agents & Business Center for a second time.

The Bienal do Livro Rio’s Agents & Business Center was inaugurated in 2015 in cooperation with Frankfurt Book Fair, and will be held again at this year’s fair, August 31 to September 2. Image: Bienal do Livro Rio

By Hannah Johnson | @HannahSJohnson

Rio Book Fair’s Agents & Business Center Returns
Brazil remains the largest book market in Latin America, even after the country’s recent political and economic upheaval.

Bienal do Livro Rio 2017However, the tough marketplace at home has led some Brazilian publishers to seek new business opportunities internationally, particularly in the field of rights.

“We’ve had to reinvent ourselves, changing our focus, and adapting to the new reality,” said Miriam Gabbai, publisher of São Paulo-based children’s book publisher Callis Editora, ahead of last year’s Frankfurt Book Fair.

Brazilian publishers also say they’re eager to present their talented authors to the world.

“We have a great diversity of new writers, of great literary quality still unknown to international readers,” said Karine Pansa, publisher of Girassol Brasil.

To that end, the 2017 Bienal do Livro Rio will  host its Agents & Business Center (ABC), in cooperation with Frankfurt Book Fair, for a second time, the first being in 2015.

Like the Literary Agents and Scouts Center (LitAg) at Frankfurt Book Fair, the ABC in Rio is a space where international agents and publishers can rent tables and host meetings. It will be open from August 31 to September 2.

In addition, Frankfurt Book Fair will organize a three-day trip for international publishers to visit Brazilian publishing houses from August 28 to 30, ahead of the official Bienal opening.

“This partnership in Brazil adds to Frankfurt Book Fair’s growing initiative in rights and licensing, which includes the LitAg at the fair, the International Rights Meeting, and the fair’s investment in the IPR License platform,” said Marifé Boix García, the fair’s vice president for business development in southern Europe and Latin America.

Watch for information here at Publishing Perspectives.

Quick Facts About Brazil
  • Economists forecast a positive GDP of 0.5 percent for 2017, according to the country’s finance minister, Henrique Meirelles.
  • Translations dominated the fiction bestsellers lists in 2016, according to PublishNews.
  • Government book-buying was steady in 2015, in contrast to a dramatic drop in 2014, according to FIPE.
  • In 2015, Brazil’s publishing industry recorded total revenue of 5.23 Brazilian reals (US$1.68 billion).
  • Translation funding is available through the Brazilian National Library.
About the Author

Hannah Johnson

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Hannah Johnson is the publisher of international book industry magazine Publishing Perspectives, which provides daily information and news about book markets around the world. In addition to building partnerships with international cultural and trade organizations, she works with the Frankfurt Book Fair to organize and support a number of its overseas initiatives. Hannah has also worked as the managing editor for an online media company, The Hooch Life, focused on craft distillers and cocktail experts. Prior to that, she worked as a project manager for the Frankfurt Book Fair’s New York office, managing various business and marketing activities.