Streaming content and open access raise questions on copyright and data privacy. Commonality remains a key selling point for creatives and book exporters. Plenty to chew on in a seemingly polarised and digitised world. Thankfully, books and their creators aren’t short of ideas and innovative solutions. Here’s a visual roundup of talks and launches held at The London Book Fair 2019.

Stream it or open it to all? A copyright issue

Apart from book launches, we got to learn more about the state of play in the digital markets at The London Book Fair.

At a seminar organised by Zebralution, we were informed that audio subscriptions have risen in Germany, with a shift towards podcasts, an early format of digitised contents. However, another early digital medium, the CD, is no longer as popular.

Angus Philips makes an announcement at the Oxford Brookes stand.

Grants are available for book SMEs and new exporters, according to DIT and The Publishers Association.

Zebralution Presents: Audiobook & Audio Streaming. Audio subscriptions have risen in Germany.

Cocktail reception at the Latvia stand.

Webnovel explains a new content subscription model in China to the audience at the Buzz Theatre.

The Oxford Handbook of Publishing is officially launched.

Indie publishing in Indonesia discussed at the Cross-Cultural Hub.

Cocktail reception at the Latvia stand.

Dee Lestari talks about her journey from pop stardom to literature.

This Latvian introvert steals the limelight, whether he likes it o not.

Academics of information science discuss data-driven research and the challenges of data privacy for librarians and open access researchers.

Click on the photo gallery to see the images.

The impact of data privacy on the gatekeeper of copyrighted contents – the librarian – and the researcher who needs open access data, were discussed at The Faculty. Although the discussion was purely academic, it was important to follow because of the recent issues faced by the Society of Authors and its members with regards to copyright infringement by so-called “open libraries”.

Sci-fi and comics are the entry points for Indonesia

For the Indonesia Market Focus, we zoomed in on sci-fi and comics. Why sci-fi? Indonesia is rich with folklores and mythologies, which contribute to its fantasy and horror genres. Science and technology, in turn, influenced fantasy to evolve into sci-fi.

And why comics? Because of the country’s tremendous influence on Southeast Asian visual arts. Indonesia has a long history in visual arts, and there are plenty of periods to choose from. Comics are a good entry point for resellers as they cover webcomics, graphic novels and animations.

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Indonesian comics and graphic novels were initially influenced by Marvel and manga. In recent years, the country has begun to develop a creative direction based on traditional visual arts. Recent works have been very bold in re-enacting the Indonesian stories of origin, using Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic and animist references.

Things that we have in common

Commonality was a key selling point for exhibitors and creatives at The London Book Fair. Latvia, as part of the Baltic Countries trade initiative, continued to play on humour to promote its printing industry to prospects outside that region.

United Arab Emirates promoted Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 by sponsoring a huge simulated “beach” at the fair for visitors to chill out. Poland gave away Polish apples, a very simple and memorable marketing that had certainly made our day at the book fair.

Click on the photo gallery to see the images.

The pond of Usborne Publishing calms us down.

Latvia again. No, do call them, please.

David McKee celebrates 30 years of Elmer with a branded cafe.

Arresting images at the Illustrators’ Gallery.

Artwork created at the Indonesian Spice Cafe whilst a seminar on graphic novel takes place.

Over 200 books showcased at Indonesia Market Focus.

Poland offers apples for its promotion.

Ian McEwan addresses a packed audience at the Podcast Theatre.

Latvia’s popular “I am introvert” campaign features a comic book.

Latvia’s Mr Introvert looms large over the Baltic Countries stand.

The beach of Sharjah World Book Capital 2019.

Indonesian illustrator Emte creates his artwork at the Indonesia stand.

Story Of Books at The London Book Fair 2019

• Indonesian authors are crushing it with webcomics and graphic novels (19 March 2019)
• Mind the Supernova: Dee Lestari trailblazes at The London Book Fair (12 March 2019)
• Five Minutes With: Sheila Rooswitha Putri, Comic Artist (11 March 2019)
• Photo Gallery: The London Book Fair 2019 (19 March 2019)
• How to build your overseas presence and sell your serialised stories
• New publishing handbook launched; Latvian introvert steals the limelight
• Jackie Collins accolade for romance thriller announced at 2019 Romantic Novel Awards
• Five Minutes With: Nicola Cornick, Chairman, The Romantic Novelists’ Association