The annual Frankfurt Book Fair was held last month, from October 15th to October 19th. Gathering thousands of publishers, literary agents, editors, international rights salespeople, and the public, the fair offered attendees the opportunity to discover new titles, engage in book panels, and create new connections. The MS in Publishing program from Pace University was present at this event, sending five attendees: Professor Jennifer Romanello, and graduate students Anna Wostenberg, Samantha Handley, Brittany Kitchen, and Oriana Marín.
We’ve asked Anna about her experience at the Frankfurt Book Fair, as well as her expectations and duties.
Q: What were your initial expectations before attending the Frankfurt Book Fair, and how did the experience compare to those expectations?
AW: I honestly didn’t really know what to expect. I knew it was a massive event, but I didn’t realize just how massive it was. I’d been on the editorial side of helping my international rights colleagues prepare for the fair when I worked at Insight Editions, but being able to go behind the curtain to see how the fair really works was truly mind-blowing. I’d been to San Diego Comic-Con before and thought that’s what it would be like, but the Frankfurt Book Fair is on a completely different scale. I was humbled and fascinated and honored by the publishing professionals who took time out of their incredibly busy schedules to meet with us and share advice on getting into publishing.
Q: What were some of the highlights or most memorable moments from your time at the fair?
AW: Being able to go into the PRH booth (you can’t access it unless you have a confirmed meeting with someone there) was both exhilarating and intimidating. Having the opportunity to meet Jeff Abraham, the COO of Penguin Random House, was pretty incredible. He is such a kind man and was so supportive of each of us and our aspirations within the industry. I’m eternally grateful to Professor Romanello for arranging that meeting for us.
Q: How do you see the knowledge gained from attending the fair influencing your future career in publishing?
AW: At the very least, I can be a better colleague for my partners in international rights sales. Being able to understand first-hand how important it is to have sales materials available to show to international editors was incredibly helpful to me as an editor. I have a deeper respect and understanding for the challenge international rights teams face at The Frankfurt Book Fair. They have thirty minutes to pitch as many books as possible to international editors to try to convince them to acquire the rights for their territory and doing that without any visual aids (even if it’s placeholder) can be so difficult. I finally understand how the books with black box covers can be immediately forgotten in a sea of books that have materials ready to present. But beyond being a better colleague, I learned that the world of literary agency is a world I absolutely want to learn more about. Seeing just how many agents attend the book fair and how many meetings they have was eye-opening and seems like such a fulfilling area of the publishing industry. I can’t wait to apply for internships and try to expand my knowledge.
Q: What were some of the most surprising and unexpected aspects of the trip for you?
AW: I did not anticipate how much walking I would be doing. I was averaging 22,000 steps each day, which was great exercise but also exhausting. From a more publishing-centric perspective, I didn’t realize how important networking beyond the scheduled meetings is for professionals attending the book fair. Through our meetings with industry experts, I learned that there are parties, cocktail hours, or impromptu gatherings after each day of the book fair and that’s where most of the industry professionals are able to make more natural networking connections in a less structured environment. It’s almost expected to attend at least some of these parties. While everyone is certainly exhausted, it’s a space where people can come together casually and find common ground outside the publishing world, which I’ve learned is incredibly important.
Q: Did you have any free time to explore Frankfurt or immerse yourself in the culture outside of the fair?
AW: Yes, fortunately. We flew in on Monday morning, which allowed us to have the entire first afternoon and evening to explore Frankfurt. We found bookstores, cafes, historic churches, and shops (hello, Primark!), which was the perfect way to acclimate ourselves to the area. We also, of course, found a German restaurant where we could get schnitzel, which was delicious!
Q: What advice would you give to future students attending international book fairs for the first time?
AW: I think it’s important to remember that you’re there as a representative of Pace and of the book fair, so the main focus should absolutely be on your assigned responsibilities. It can be so tempting to focus on how the experience can benefit you and your career, but it’s also important to make sure you’re completing your tasks and assignments—fit in the other things you want to do personally around those, as you can.
I also recommend bringing snacks! We were fortunate that our hotel provided breakfast, but it could sometimes be difficult to step away for a proper lunch (and the lines at all the food vendors got quite lengthy). So I was grateful that I brought a few protein bars with me to tide me over until I had a chance to grab a more robust lunch. Also, bring comfortable shoes you can walk in for 10+ hours. And Band-Aids for blisters.
Q: What was the most interesting place you visited in Frankfurt?
AW: I really enjoyed walking around the Römerberg market square in Frankfurt. It felt historical had some really beautiful churches to visit. The architecture was gorgeous and we also found a couple of very cute cafes to enjoy some much-needed caffeine after a long red-eye flight. Walking along the river and enjoying the changing colors of the leaves on the trees was so picturesque and romantic. I absolutely recommend going there if you’re in the area.
Q: Did you buy any books? What influenced your decision to purchase?
AW: Of course I bought books. I tried to exercise as much self-control as possible because of the weight limit for luggage, but I ended up buying a small carry-on suitcase to bring my books home. One of the exhibitors at the fair, Wordsworth Editions, publishes stunning versions of classic literature. I picked up four books from their booth, including J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, Mary Shelley’s The Last Man, and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. These editions were so beautiful that I couldn’t resist them—they’re classics I haven’t yet read and have been on my list for ages, and they were so affordable! I cannot wait to dive into them.