Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
London Book Fair is one of the most important events in the literary world, a meeting place for writers, publishers, and readers from all over the globe. I was fortunate enough to visit this fair and immerse myself in its vibrant atmosphere. In this article, I will share my impressions of the second day of LBF, March 12th, and highlight the most interesting events I had the opportunity to attend.
One of the highlights of the second day was meeting Dan Houser. The legendary game designer, creator of Absurd Ventures, and author of the iconic games Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto, presented his debut novel “A BETTER PARADISE Volume One: An Aftermath.” He shared his thoughts on how his love of books has influenced his work, talked about his creative process and experience working with different formats. It was incredibly interesting to learn about his new project – Absurd Ventures, a company that creates new IP across various media.
The Beijing International Book Fair presented a conversation with Liu Zhenyun, one of China’s most famous authors and screenwriters. His sharp wit and masterful storytelling have earned him international recognition. He is best known for his novel “Someone to Talk To” and the film “I Am Not Madame Bovary.” Liu Zhenyun spoke about what makes his stories universal, the relationship between literature and cinema, and how Chinese literature influences the global literary landscape. It was very informative to learn about the new era of Chinese literature firsthand.
As part of the “Author of the Day” program, there was a conversation with Monica Ali, the author of bestsellers, including the novel “Brick Lane,” which was nominated for the Booker Prize. Monica Ali shared her thoughts on her work and the influence of culture and identity on her books. The conversation was very heartfelt and inspiring.
Meeting Manana Menabde, a Georgian writer, musician, translator, and actress, was a real discovery. Together with her publisher Shorena Shaverdashvili from Cezanne Publishing, Manana talked about her books “Flight Day: Wednesday” and “And The Time Kept Passing.” The conversation was accompanied by a live performance of Manana’s songs with a guitar and dance performances by the Giorgi Aleksidze Tbilisi Contemporary Ballet troupe. It was an incredibly beautiful and touching performance that combined literature, music, and dance.
The session “Burning Bridges? Reconsidering Collaborative Translation” was devoted to issues related to collaborative translation. Leading translators discussed the ethical and practical aspects of this process, as well as issues of protecting the rights of translators. It was very important to hear different points of view and learn about the challenges and opportunities associated with collaborative translation.
Later, I attended an engaging panel discussion on the adaptation of Lucy Clarke’s Sunday Times bestseller “THE CASTAWAYS” into a successful series for Paramount+. Lucy, along with executive producer Mike Benson, screenwriter Ben Harris, and literary agent Judith Murray participated in the discussion. The discussion focused on the fascinating world of book-to-screen adaptations, creative and logistical challenges, and what makes a book suitable for adaptation. It was interesting to hear Lucy’s unique insights as she shared her experience of working with industry professionals, the importance of maintaining the essence of the story, and what it means for her characters to find new life on screen. The panel also highlighted the role of agents and producers in ensuring that the spirit of the original work is preserved for a wider audience.
To round out the day, I attended the esteemed London Book Fair Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 ceremony. This year, the award was presented to Gloria Bailey, MBE, Associate Director for Export Service at the Publishers Association, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the international book industry. Previous laureates include Klaus Flugge, Hiroshi Hayakawa, Margaret Busby, Nigel Newton, Dorotea Bromberg, and Youngsuk “YS” Chi, Chairman of Elsevier. The event was filled with an atmosphere of recognition and respect for those who have dedicated their lives to the world of books.
The second day of the London Book Fair left the most pleasant impressions. The fair impressed with its scale, variety, and rich program. Meetings with talented writers, interesting discussions, and new acquaintances – all this made this day unforgettable. I am sure that such events play an important role in the development of the literary community and inspire new creative achievements. I hope that my report will help readers feel the atmosphere of the London Book Fair and perhaps inspire them to visit this wonderful event in the future.
