Financed and managed by Deutsche Finance International and Yoo Capital, Olympia London’s £1.3 billion redevelopment into an extensive convention and exhibition center continues this year. The plan has a target readiness date of 2025. Image: Olympia London
By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
Registration Opens for Two London Book Fair Conferences
Those scheduling their London Book Fair events (April 18 to 20) will notice the usual uptick in announcements, as various features of the program come into view, this year under the trade show’s new director, Gareth Rapley‘s leadership.
London Book Fair this year is again set at the Olympia London complex in Hammersmith, which continues to undergo renovations with a target of 2025 for its opening as a major, redeveloped convention and exhibition complex.
Publishing Perspectives understands that this year’s trade show will be set in roughly the same allocation of space as the 2022 fair utilized, with a similar configuration as last year’s fair, including the rights trading center’s positioning on ground floor.
- The long-running half-day Introduction to Rights program this year is set on April 17, running from noon to 5 p.m., a day before the exhibition floor opens, at Kensington Town Hall. It has a price of £174 (US$214), which includes VAT.
- The Research and Scholarly Publishing Forum is to be held in the Olympia Theatre on the show’s final day, April 20, and is a longer program, set for 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s priced at £261.60 (US$322.41), which includes VAT.
Gareth Rapley
In a prepared statement on the announcement of these two events, Rapley is quoted, saying, “We know how popular these two conferences are with London Book Fair audiences, and we’re delighted to see them return to the calendar for 2023.
“We look forward to welcoming delegates to both events, which will offer expert insights into academic publishing and rights-selling, two fundamental parts of the publishing ecosystem.”
‘Introduction to Rights’
This year’s Introduction to Rights program, a staple of this industry-facing trade show’s offerings, again offers a briefing for publishing professionals on the international rights-trading marketplace.
- “Why sell rights?” is to feature copyright and rights consultant Lynette Owen.
- A session on the fundamentals of copyright and licensing is scheduled to be presented by Duncan Calow, a partner at DLA Piper
- A step-by-step guide to rights selling will be covered by Stephanie Purcell, group rights director at Bloomsbury Publishing
- Diane Spivey, a rights and contracts consultant, will be discussing what’s described as “a comprehensive contract and rights deal checklist”
- An “Ask the Experts” session then is to close the day, and will be followed by a networking reception
Diane Spivey
In a prepared statement, Spivey is quoted, saying, “This conference, and my session in particular, will help you to get the most out of the London Book Fair, giving you essential information about rights selling, from solid advice on copyright and other legal issues, through to practical tips on presenting suitable titles to potential customers, negotiating and finalizing deals and clear guidance on rights contracts.
“Whether you’re attending on behalf of an established publishing company or a new start-up, whether you’re an author or an agent, this course will give you the perfect background to hit the ground running on the first day of London Book Fair.”
Lynette Owen
Owen is also quoted, saying, “The Introduction to Rights conference will provide delegates with an introduction to the selling of rights–the rationale for licensing, the legal background, the range of rights that can be sold, as well as practical advice on promoting, negotiating and contracting for rights deals.
“The ‘Ask the Experts’ session will let delegates pose questions to the speakers one-to-one.
“The end of day reception will provide an opportunity to network with other delegates.”
‘Research and Scholarly Publishing Forum’
This year’s Research and Scholarly Publishing Forum is being programmed to explore themes including:
- Diversity and inclusion in STM publishing
- National and international policies for libraries
- Web3 technologies
The program is to be chaired by Rob Johnson, managing director of Research Consulting, who is curating the event.
Damian Pattinson, executive director of eLife Sciences Publications, will open the conference.
Speakers expected to be on the roster include:
- Michiel Kolman, senior vice-president for research networks and academic ambassador with Elsevier, and a former president of the International Publishers Association
- Torsten Reimer, dean of the University of Chicago Library
- Julien Roche, director of the LILLIAD Learning Centre at the University of Lille and president of the European research libraries program LIBER
- Isabel Thompson, head of product at LabDAO
- Philipp Koellinger, professor in social science genetics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and a co-founder of DeSci Labs
Rob Johnson
In a prepared comment, Johnson is quoted, saying, “As the pace of transformation in scholarly communication continues to accelerate, the 2023 Research and Scholarly Publishing Forum will explore the forces reshaping our industry.
“Publishers, librarians, and start-ups will share strategies for navigating the open access transition, responding to global policy developments, embracing diversity and inclusion, and adopting Web 3 technologies, giving you the insights you need to keep your organization ahead of the curve.”
There’s information on the 2023 conference programs of London Book Fair overall here.
Image: London Book Fair
More from Publishing Perspectives on London Book Fair is here, more on rights trading in the international marketplace is here, our Rights Roundup series is here, more on licensing is here, more on academic and scholarly publishing is here, and more on the United Kingdom’s publishing market is here.