~Written by Harshdeep Kaur
My recent expedition to London, sponsored by the MS in Publishing department at Pace University
Tower Bridge of London
and the London Book Fair, was a whirlwind of literary immersion and cultural exploration. From March 10 to March 15, 2024, my fellow student, Ariel Stevenson, and I embarked on a journey that intermingled the excitement of the book fair with the enchantment of London’s vibrant streets.
As we delved into the heart of London’s literary scene, our journey was graced by experiences and moments that I am going to cherish. The London Book Fair at the Olympia Exhibition Centre beckoned us with its promise of insight and inspiration. Volunteering at the fair not only offered us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the inner workings of international trade fairs but also provided a platform for engaging with esteemed authors, industry professionals, and fellow book enthusiasts from around the world.
Amidst the bustling atmosphere of the fair, we were privileged to attend captivating panels featuring personalities such as Taylor Jenkins Reid, Richard Osman, Joseph Coelho, Steven Bartlett, and Michael Sheen. Their discussions not only shed light on the evolving landscape of publishing but also reignited our passion for the written word. A personal victory was getting insights into the changing landscape of technology used in publishing with the advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI). The ten-plus panels at the fair helped me garner current and relevant information for my Master’s thesis.
Beyond the confines of the fairgrounds, our exploration of London’s literary treasures was further enriched by the guidance of our program director, Professor Manuela Soares. Together, we ventured into the hallowed halls of iconic bookshops like Hatchards and Waterstones, where shelves brimmed with literary delights waiting to be discovered. These excursions were an absolute delight as I was able to grab another copy of my all-time-favorite Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. I also took this opportunity to grab Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Until August: The Lost Novel since I liked the UK cover better than the US cover.
Our adventures in London extended far beyond the world of books, however. Professor Soares treated Ariel and me to two unforgettable dinners, where we savored delectable cuisine and cherished camaraderie. I will forever be grateful to her for introducing me to the delectable dessert of Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
On our final night in London, amidst the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden, Ariel and I were captivated by the mesmerizing performance of the play Frozen, a spellbinding tale of love, loss, and redemption.
As our journey drew to a close and we bid farewell to London, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the experiences we shared and the memories we created. The London Book Fair had been more than just an event—it was a celebration of the transformative power of literature to ignite imagination, foster connections, and inspire change.
As I carry the lessons and insights gleaned from our journey back to Pace University, I am reminded of the words of Virginia Woolf: “Books are the mirrors of the soul.” In the embrace of literature, amidst the bustling book fair, I found not only a reflection of my own aspirations and dreams to join the publishing industry but also a community of kindred spirits united by a shared love for the written word. And in that realization, I found a home—a place where stories come alive, and the possibilities are as boundless as imagination itself.