Anticipating Frankfurt 2017

Heading into 2017, the Frankfurt Book Fair is simply a better event, says Andrew Albanese. The Literary Agents & Scouts Center (LitAg) has set a new attendance record with about 500 tables sold this year.

As the Northern Hemisphere marks the autumnal equinox, the annual Frankfurt Book Fair preview issue from Publishers Weekly follows closely behind. The world’s largest publishing industry trade show has welcomed growing numbers of attendees over the past two years, though the fair has yet to return to the highwater mark of 152,000 visitors reached in 2009. Overall, a strong global economy has lifted spirits among publishers, says Andrew Albanese, PW senior writer.

“Heading into 2017, the Frankfurt Book Fair is simply a better event,” he says. “For that, I give the Fair’s organizers credit. In the face of some tough years for the industry earlier in the decade, Frankfurt seized the opportunity to experiment, and to change.

“In its fourth year, the Frankfurt Business Club is hitting its stride—attracting a lot of players and startups that might not need a booth to the fair, and hosting some great programs,” Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally.  “Rights transactions are still the lifeblood of Frankfurt. The Literary Agents & Scouts Center (LitAg) has set a new attendance record with about 500 tables sold this year.”

Every Friday, CCC’s “Beyond the Book” speaks with the editors and reporters of “Publishers Weekly” for an early look at the news that publishers, editors, authors, agents and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.