About six months into his new role as managing director of the Bureau international de l’édition française, or BIEF, Nicolas Roche is leading the French publishing industry’s outreach program to open new markets and develop new readership for France’s literature.
Sharjah Supports Guinea Library’s Restoration, Opens Kalimat-Gallimard Exchange
Sharjah collaborates with Conakry, Guinea—the 2017 World Book Capital—to restore the city’s Djibril Tamsir Niane Library. And Kalimat is in production with its Gallimard translation exchange.
Politics in Paris: Russia’s Country of Honor Stint at the Salon du Livre Reflects Strained Relations
Book fairs can find themselves in the middle of shifting geopolitics. At the just-closed Salon du Livre in Paris, the French president sidestepped a visit to Russia’s Country of Honor stand.
France’s Literature in Translation: The Shortlist From the French-American Foundation
Even as the National Book Foundation begins taking submissions for its first translation award this year, the French-American Foundation has announced shortlists in its 31st annual translation prizes.
Agent Nermin Mollaoğlu: The French Market Is Beginning To Open Its Doors to Turkish Books
Taking note of the fact that two of the six shortlisted titles are Turkish in this year’s EBRD Literature Prize, Istanbul’s Nermin Mollaoğlu looks at the rights scene for Turkish books in 2018.
Are Ebooks a ‘Stupid Product?’ Hachette CEO Discusses the Format
In an interview Hachette CEO Arnaud Nourry describes ebooks as ‘exactly the same as print, but electronic.’ The bigger question is whether that’s what consumers want.
Industry Notes: Angoulême Focus on Arab Comics; Scholastic’s New Nonfiction Imprint
In France, a new exhibition on Arab comics launches at the Angoulême Comics Festival. And in the States, Scholastic’s new nonfiction imprint will tackle history and social issues for children.
French Publishers’ Sustainable Paper Consumption; Bowker Partners With Book+Main
French publishers say 93 percent of their paper is now recycled or green-certified and Bowker partners with book discovery startup Book+Main.
UNESCO World Arabic Language Day in Paris Features Sharjah’s Sheikh Al Qasimi
UNESCO’s World Arabic Day focuses on the world’s 5th most-spoken language with a number of high-profile speakers, including the ruler of Sharjah.
Industry Notes: Europeana’s Migration Collection; Man Booker’s Nonfiction Fiction Chair
Europeana’s contribution to the European Year of Culture is a collection on migration. And the Fiction Man Booker names Kwame Anthony Appiah as chair.