Bologna goes digital with virtual fair and rights platform

Organisers of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) will launch a series of new digital initiatives on 4 May, reports Publishers Weekly.

In light of the cancellation of this year’s fair, organisers have revealed plans for a virtual book fair, including stages and exhibitions, as well as an online platform that will allow opportunities for licensing and other business transactions.

The online platform, called the Bologna Children’s Book Fair Global Rights Exchange, will be facilitated through PubMatch.com. Access to the platform will be free for publishers and literary agent exhibitors registered for the 2020 fair. Using a unique log-in and dashboard, each participant will be able to schedule and host meetings, present a virtual rights catalogue and share PDF book samples.

Melbourne-based literary agent Jacinta di Mase told Books+Publishing: ‘My agency is 100% set up and ready to go and we intended to do Zoom or Skype meetings with our sub-agents and other contacts, but we thought the situation in Italy and other parts of Europe might be too dire for them to participate. I would definitely do this.’

BCBF will also offer expanded online content, including a virtual stage for webinars, interviews and book trailers, while the fair’s popular ‘Illustrators Wall’, where aspiring illustrators put up their business cards, postcards and posters, will be replicated online.

Category: International news Rights and acquisitions