The first ever Book Fair Australia will be held at Sydney Showground on 26–27 November. Independent Publishing spoke to founder and CEO Ivana Truglio about her inspiration, her plans to grow the event, and what authors and book lovers can expect from the fair.
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your background in publishing?
The most important thing to know about me is that I’m a book lover. I always have been! I made up my mind to be a writer when I was six years old and never looked back.
Through the years of learning to fly, studying archaeology and ancient history, and finally working in office jobs, I never stopped reading and writing. For 11 years, I worked for multinational publishing companies in the tax team (don’t hold that against me!) and learned all the tricks of the trade to start my own publishing company.
I’m excited to finally make books my entire life and Book Fair Australia is making that happen.
How did the idea for Book Fair Australia come about?
After years of attending conventions and exhibitors that put authors and book fans last, I decided it was time to start an event that put all the attention on Australian authors.
There are very few authors, even traditionally published, who make a living from their books. In Australia, this is exacerbated by the fact that we don’t have any big book fairs. So, it was important to me that this event would be multi-genre and include both indie and traditionally published authors, to give everyone a chance to shine.
Books and reading are such important parts of life that everyone should be given a chance to learn how to read. That’s why the proceeds of our book raffles will go to the World Literacy Foundation—to ensure everyone is given that opportunity.
What’s your goal for the event?
Our main goal is for everyone to have fun and enjoy their love of books together. We want to show Australia how many fantastic authors we have right here. Within the first five years, we’d like to bring Book Fair Australia to other cities, eventually holding it in multiple cities every year.
Who else are you working with on Book Fair Australia?
I have a wonderful volunteer team helping to organise our first event, including our fabulous event host, Annie McCann and bestselling author, L L Hunter. All of us are readers, some of us are indie authors and aspiring authors.
We’re so pleased to be sponsored this year by Book Addiction, Good Reading magazine, IngramSpark, Selina Fenech and Awakened Fables. Without these sponsors, Book Fair Australia wouldn’t exist.
Are you still looking for people to get involved—if so, who are you looking for and what can they do?
Applications to exhibit have closed, but we’re now looking for volunteers to help over the weekend. In reality though, the best way for people to get involved is to spread the word and come along to Book Fair Australia with their friends and family. The more people who come along, the better the event will be for everyone.
What can ticket holders expect from Book Fair Australia?
Ticket holders can expect to meet over 100 multi-genre Australian authors from, many of them indie authors whose books they would never find in bookstores. There will also be a collection of vendors with creative bookish items for sale.
All tickets include at least one $5 voucher to spend at any stall over the weekend.
There will be daily afternoon book raffles with 80% of proceeds being donated to the World Literacy Foundation.
Our event host will be presenting panels every day with so many different topics, everyone will find at least one they want to attend. Some of our exhibitors will be running workshops during the weekend ranging from publishing tips, to drawing workshops and everything in between.
New Release Spotlights will be running between panels. Each spotlight will see our event host highlight three authors with books released in 2022.
With over 20 children’s authors exhibiting over the weekend, we’ll have a dedicated Children’s Corner with fun activities, free face painting and readings each day.
And for those fantasy lovers who have always wanted to try Dungeons & Dragons, but didn’t know where to begin, we’ll be running games every day for anyone to join in!
For tickets and more information about Book Fair Australia, visit the website here.
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