Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1532358
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 12 FEBRUARY 2025 BOOKS WITH its participation at the London Book Fair 2025 (LBF) soon coming up, the National Book Council (NBC) is offer- ing a unique opportunity for authors, publishers and oth- er stakeholders to gain insight into navigating international publishing markets. This year taking place be- tween 11and 13 March at Lon- don Olympia in Kensington, the LBF continues to serve as a crucial meeting point for in- dustry professionals from all over the globe, with the NBC being perfectly poised to help increase the visibility of Mal- tese literature. It does this through its con- sistent 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 stake- holders. Like every year, the NBC will also be organising a seminar at the LBF, exploring the strate- gies for amplifying underrepre- sented literatures on the global stage. 'Beyond Island Horizons: Expanding Pathways for Liter- atures from the Margins' will take place on 11 March, at 1.45pm at the Literary Trans- lation Centre, and will bring together a group of speakers whose respective literary ecolo- gies 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 Author- ity), the National Book Council will be spearheading the Au- thentic Malta initiative, which will foreground Maltese liter- ature 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 Mal- ta collaborating to maximise its reach across their respective stakeholders. Also forming part of the Au- thentic Malta initiative will be Gutenberg Press, thus further strengthening Malta's repu- tation for quality, innovation, and sustainability while cham- pioning Maltese craftsmanship on a global stage. Local illustrators will also be given a chance to participate at the LBF, thanks a collabora- tion between the NBC and Arts Council Malta. Through this initiative, four selected partic- ipants 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 dead- line for submissions is the 12th February 2025 at noon. Ahead of the LBF, the NBC is also inviting all interested members of the Maltese pub- lishing community to partic- ipate in 'The Rights Stuff', an exclusive Zoom call with inter- national literary agent Simon Trewin. Taking place on Monday 17 February at 4pm, the encounter will provide a jargon-free over- view of the international rights landscape, helping participants understand how to sell books beyond Malta. The session will be interac- tive, with ample opportunity for questions in a relaxed and accessible atmosphere. To ensure maximum benefit, an AI-generated summary of the discussion will be provid- ed to all attendees afterward, equipping them with key in- sights and practical strategies to navigate the global publish- ing market. A veteran of the UK publish- ing industry, Simon Trewin's roster of authors have been translated in 60 different lan- guages, and feature among their number the likes of John Boyne and Booker winner Paul Lynch. Owing to his long-standing col- laboration with the National Book Council, Trewin is also a literary ambassador for Malta. 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 Lon- don Book Fair, and to welcom- ing a varied array of stakehold- ers who are keen to develop their skills and hone their work for an international market. National Book Council empowers local stakeholders at the London Book Fair 2025 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