‘Uplifting nonfiction’ in demand at LBF

Australian publishers attending the 2019 London Book Fair have reported an interest in ‘uplifting or inspiring nonfiction’.

Allen & Unwin rights manager Maggie Thompson said a big trend in narrative nonfiction was ‘books that uncover “hidden worlds”, but in a more practical sense than in previous times’. ‘Where readers were once fascinated by books on the secret worlds of nature, they are now interested in the lives of doctors, nurses, teachers and those who work in aspects of the judicial and corrections systems,’ said Thompson. (Perhaps trauma cleaners come under this category too!)

Thompson also noted an interest in popular science titles that involve ‘experts giving readers solutions to life’s problems’, as well as current affairs titles with a feminist slant—‘but the writer needs to be leading the discussion or sparking a new one for these books to be published in a big way’.

Lifestyle publisher Murdoch Books launched its rebrand at LBF ‘to a fabulous response’, according to publishing director Lou Johnson. You can read more about Murdoch Books here.

Andrea Hanke
Editor
Think Australian
thinkaustralian@booksandpublishing.com.au

Category: Think Australian editorial