The Bologna Children’s Book Fair

Is it worth going?

I’m sitting in a cafe in rainy Sydney today and I’m wishing I was back in Bologna, sitting in the sun sipping cocktails with my illustrator friends. Hopefully we will all get to go back to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair next year, but for now all I can do is reminisce and reflect.

It was an expensive trip and I traveled halfway around the world to get there (17 hours of flying each way). So before I went, I had one BIG question- is it worth going?

And my answer….

YES!!!

Here’s why…

Some pics from the fair

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• It's a great excuse to go to Italy and have a fun holiday - who doesn’t want to have authentic hand-made pasta every day?

• Its invaluable for making connections and building friendships and relationships with agents, publishers and other industry professionals. This will lead to more work down the line and further cement your position as industry insider.

• It could get you a book deal or agent. It didn’t happen for me, and yes its very rare, but at the SCWBI cocktail party we heard that T2 contacted an illustrator, who’s work they found on the ‘illustrators’ wall’. Most of the meetings dont lead to instantaneous contracts, but that connection could turn into something substantial in the long-term with some further nurturing.

What I loved:

• Being with the illoguild crew in person! We have been meeting online for almost 2 years now. 7 of us managed to attend the fair in person. It was wonderful to see everyone (after the initial shock that we are all actually 3-D). We had drinks and meals together and even an impromptu dinner in Florence.

• Having a ‘home’ at the Australian stand, where I exhibited my books and had a ‘meet and greet’. I show-cased my two books with IP Kids and Josie Montano, who were also at the fair. It really made me feel like I was part of the community. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting other Ozzie illustrators and publishers. Although,I did find it amusing that I had to come all the way to Italy to meet them.

• Building relationships and strengthening friendships with other people that I met at the fair. Illustrators are really a welcoming and supportive, international community.

• The atmosphere at the fair was buzzing with creativity and it was a thrill to be surrounded by so many like-minded people.

• Seeing so many different illustration styles - and being reassured that you really don’t have to conform to a specific style to be successful.

• Seeing the volume of publishers and books and knowing that this is just a snapshot of what gets published annually.

• Seeing Rose Lihou’s (a member of illoguild) book cover pop-up on the Penguin Random House display. I’m just so overjoyed to see her success and to have been on the journey with her.

If you are thinking of going - these are my top tips:

• Get there early on day 1 to put your poster on the wall- there was only space at the top and bottom for small postcards at 11am on day 1.

• Whatever you add to the wall make sure it has a QR code and all your details on the front

• Add a business card holder to the wall, so that business cards can be found new your illustration.

• Bring lots of cards - I used about 100.

  • You can walk around and drop them off at booths. Most booths have a container for cards or a greeter taking them.

  • Publishers often have a wall outside their stands to pin up cards or post cards for display - they go through them at the end of the day

  • You never know who you will meet - at the fair/ on a train/ at dinner / in the line for a coffee.

• Bring postcards- they are better to showcase your art and pin up on walls as they are bigger. They are also a fun item to exchange with other illustrators

• Chill-out, have fun, meet other illustrators from around the world. Enjoy Italy!

• Portfolio reviews

  • Book portfolio reviews first thing in the morning- they have sign-up sheets in the illustrator corner. Spots go quickly.

  • Be prepared to line up for review at various publishers. Some only make their review times known at the fair by putting a piece of paper up outside their stand listing review times.

  • Keep on top of emails and instagram/twitter as many reviews can be booked ahead of time. I was able to book two ahead of time and missed out on one (you have to be quick!)

  • Take notes right after reviews as it’s easy to forget what is said and its also easier to compare reviews.

  • Have a thick skin.

  • If you are lucky- have friends or other illustrators to have a debriefing with.

  • Some reviews are really harsh and quick and others were really positive and asked me to submit my work.

  • Also remember the review is very subjective. I had one review where the publisher really condescendingly said that my work was commercial. I found that really funny. I saw it as a HUGE compliment, but obviously we aren’t a fit.

• Publishers aren’t necessarily looking for new illustrators, they are often looking for rights deals … think of every meeting as relationship building and don’t be despondent if they don’t have time to talk to illustrators at the fair.

• It’s huge and it’s a bit overwhelming. Just take it slow and enjoy what you see.

Next year

• I will join more workshops (book in advance- I was too late)

• Attend more talks (drop in)

• Be more prepared in advance and target specific agents or illustrators that i think may be a good fit for me.

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I was there with Katie Stack who has written a great newsletter about the Fair. Check it out.

Visiting the Bologna Children's Book Fair

If you went this year or have been in previous years - I would love to know your top tips.

And if you have any questions, please feel free to ask me here or PM me on instagram.

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