NBC empowers local stakeholders at the London Book Fair 2025

With its participation at the London Book Fair 2025 (LBF) soon coming up, the National Book Council (NBC) is offering a unique opportunity for authors, publishers and other stakeholders to gain insight into navigating international publishing markets. 

This year taking place between 11–13 March at London Olympia in Kensington, the LBF continues to serve as a crucial meeting point for industry professionals from all over the globe, with the NBC being perfectly poised to help increase the visibility of Maltese literature. It does this through its consistent presence on a stand at the Fair, while also distributing the new edition of Literature from Malta, the Foreign Rights Catalogue, during meetings with key international stakeholders. 

Like every year, the NBC will also be organising a seminar at the LBF, exploring the strategies for amplifying underrepresented literatures on the global stage. ‘Beyond Island Horizons: Expanding Pathways for Literatures from the Margins’ will take place on 11 March, 13:45 at the Literary Translation Centre, and will bring together a group of speakers whose respective literary ecologies share similar challenges to Malta’s own. 

While the seminar will tap into the speakers’ collective expertise on how obstacles can be tackled, the NBC will also be proudly showcasing what Malta has to offer. In collaboration with Visit Malta (Malta Tourism Authority), the National Book Council will be spearheading the Authentic Malta initiative, which will foreground Maltese literature as yet another rich and tangible element of Maltese culture, history and heritage – to be actively enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. 

The initiative will debut at the NBC stand at the LBF and the collaboration will be extended to additional fairs and events, with both NBC and Visit Malta collaborating to maximise its reach across their respective stakeholders. Also forming part of the Authentic Malta initiative will be Gutenberg Press, thus further strengthening Malta’s reputation for quality, innovation, and sustainability while championing Maltese craftsmanship on a global stage.

Local illustrators will also be given a chance to participate at the LBF, thanks a collaboration between the NBC and Arts Council Malta. Through this initiative, four selected participants will receive a travel and accommodation subsidy and an exhibitor pass to attend the LBF. This initiative seeks to provide a platform for artists to network and participate in the global book market. The deadline for submissions is the 12th February 2025 at noon. Those interested may register by filling out this form.

Ahead of the LBF, the NBC is also inviting all interested members of the Maltese publishing community to participate in ‘The Rights Stuff’, an exclusive Zoom call with international literary agent Simon Trewin. Taking place on Monday 17 February at 16:00, the encounter will provide a jargon-free overview of the international rights landscape, helping participants understand how to sell books beyond Malta. The session will be interactive, with ample opportunity for questions in a relaxed and accessible atmosphere. To ensure maximum benefit, an AI-generated summary of the discussion will be provided to all attendees afterward, equipping them with key insights and practical strategies to navigate the global publishing market.

A veteran of the UK publishing industry, Simon Trewin’s roster of authors have been translated in 60 different languages, and feature among their number the likes of John Boyne and Booker winner Paul Lynch. Owing to his long-standing collaboration with the National Book Council, Trewin is also a literary ambassador for Malta.

Those interested may register for the meeting by filling out this form.

Authors and publishers who booked for a guest pass for the London Book Fair will be able to attend events organised by the London Book Fair and a tour of the Fair with Trewin, as well as use the stand space by booking one or more slots for meetings.

The National Book Council looks forward to participating at this year’s edition of the London Book Fair, and to welcoming a varied array of stakeholders who are keen to develop their skills and hone their work for an international market.