The 46th London Book Fair starts today. 25,000 publishing professionals from 124 countries are meeting in London to talk about books and my manuscript is going to be there.
Publishers from dozens of countries (okay, so maybe not all 124 of them) are going to be talking about my novel, Maternal Instinct.
I may be just a tiny bit excited.
What’s the London Book Fair?
I wondered the same thing when my agent, Lauren Bieker, emailed to tell me the news.
From the London Book Fair website: it’s ‘the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels.’
Basically, it’s a trade fair – think 3 days of seminars, lectures, gala dinners. Demonstrations of the latest publishing technology, discussions about industry trends and plenty of networking.
What does that have to do with my manuscript?
The part that has me most excited is the International Rights Centre – a massive hall lined with tables and chairs where pre-booked meetings happen between publishers, agents and authors.
What are they talking about? Agents and authors spend 3 days pitching books to publishers. Deals are made.
Sometimes small deals, sometimes big deals. Several 6-figure deals have already been struck at the London Book Fair, ahead of the official opening.
How does it work?
You’ve probably heard about authors ‘getting a book deal’. It means a publishing house has signed on to turn it into a printed book, ebook or audiobook.
What you may not have heard is that an author can actually end up with multiple book deals. There might be a deal with a US publisher, then a separate one with an Australian publisher, then one in France, Germany, Lithuania, maybe Poland. Each one of those is a separate deal to be negotiated.
Many of those deals are negotiated at book fairs like the London Book Fair.
Cross your fingers for me!
Jacqueline Murphy, Director of Subsidiary Rights at FinePrint Literary Management will be at the London Book Fair from 14-16 March 2017, talking to international publishers. One of the books she’ll be talking about is my book.
Cross your fingers and toes for me that she finds an international publisher – or several – who are as excited about Maternal Instinct as I am!
I’d love to keep you posted about my publishing journey!
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Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says
March 14, 2017 at 6:34 amYipee!!!!! Awesome, awesome, awesome. That’s WAY too exciting.
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 7:20 amYes. It really is! ?
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
March 14, 2017 at 6:37 amI got butterflies in my belly when I saw the title of this post. I am so excited for you! Whether you get the book deal or not, your manuscript is going places… Literally. Crossing fingers and toes and sending good meeting vibes!
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 7:19 amThank you! And yep, my policy on life is to get excited about ALL the small things.
Renee Wilson says
March 14, 2017 at 6:43 amI will definitely keep my fingers crossed for you. This is so exciting. I can’t wait to hear what happens. Good luck – not that you need it!
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 7:20 amThanks Renee! The more (luck) the merrier ?
Lydia C. Lee says
March 14, 2017 at 7:22 amCongratulations. That is very exciting news. I’m sure it will be picked up! Can’t wait to hear!
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 5:12 pmThanks Lydia x
Jody at Six Little Hearts says
March 14, 2017 at 7:46 amHow fabulous! This is very exciting news! Thanks for explaining away some of the mystery involved in book publishing too.
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 7:58 amIt is quite mysterious isn’t it?!
Amy @ HandbagMafia says
March 14, 2017 at 8:11 amI am beyond excited for you!
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 5:11 pmThanks Amy x
Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life says
March 14, 2017 at 8:22 amHow absolutely exciting! I have my fingers and toes crossed for you that you end up with several book deals all around the world!
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 5:10 pmThanks Ingrid x
Deb @ inner compass designs says
March 14, 2017 at 8:49 amInsanely excited for you. Keep us updated – want to hear everything
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 5:09 pmThanks Deb. Will do!
Kylie Purtel says
March 14, 2017 at 10:45 amThat is fantastic news! I will keep all of my fingers and toes crossed for lots of deals for your book! I was supposed to go to the 2011 LBF until I fell pregnant with Punky, it’s my only regret about leaving my job (I worked for a small Australian publisher and book importer in my pre-Mum life). My boss sent me to the American Book Fair (Book Expo America) in New York in 2010 and it was amazing! If you ever get the chance to go to BEA or LBF you definitely should, it’s a book nerd paradise!
#teamIBOT
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 5:09 pmOh wow! Something new I’ve just learned about you ? And thank you x
Denyse says
March 14, 2017 at 12:01 pmWow. What a headline and what a wonderful time coming up soon. Your book and others hopefully wanting it desperately….and this is awesome news. Bec, a year ago, could you even imagine this?? Wow. Again. Congrats and cant wait to hear updates. D xx
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 5:44 pmThanks Denyse. And no, definitely could not have imagined it! A year ago I think I’d all but given up on the manuscript ?
Vanessa says
March 14, 2017 at 12:06 pmThat is so freaking exciting!! I hope your agent finds an awesome publisher for you.
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 5:07 pmMe too! Thank you x
beck @ craftypjmum says
March 14, 2017 at 4:36 pmCongratulations. That is so exciting x
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 5:07 pmThanks Beck. ?
Bec Senyard says
March 14, 2017 at 6:02 pmThat’s really exciting Bec. You must be thrilled to have your manuscript chosen. I had no idea about the process, but I know how hard you’ve worked on your manuscript. I wish you all the best with it. I also love the name. It’s a very catchy title.
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 8:59 pmAbsolutely thrilled! Thanks Bec ?
Emily Jane Clark says
March 14, 2017 at 7:37 pmGood luck my friend. Fingers crossed for you!!
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 8:07 pmThank you! Every pair of fingers helps.
Jodi Gibson says
March 14, 2017 at 8:22 pmHow amazingly exciting! I have a good feeling for you and your book. Can’t wait to hear how it all goes. 🙂
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 9:00 pmThanks Jodi! I hope your feeling is right x
Robyna May says
March 14, 2017 at 8:58 pmThis is so exciting ! I hope you get printed in all the places, in all the languages.
Rebecca Bowyer says
March 14, 2017 at 9:01 pmThat would be amazing! I’d settle for one language though ?
Di Roberts says
March 15, 2017 at 10:26 amHow exciting Bec!
Em @ Have A Laugh On Me says
March 15, 2017 at 10:48 amSQUEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have goosebumps and a happy heart for you. I have ALL the things crossed. All the best you legend you. Em xx
Sanchie @ Living my Imperfect Life says
March 19, 2017 at 9:18 pmCrossing fingers and toes and whatever else is possible! This is so exciting!!! Can’t wait to hear where you are headed from here! Good luck!!