Stands 'Looted' At Bolgona
from The Independent:
British publishers have expressed outrage at what they describe as the widespread "looting" from their stands by people attending the world's leading children's book exhibition.
Michael O'Mara Books, an independent publisher, found nearly three-quarters of its titles had vanished.
Its staff took the titles to Italy for the Bologna Children's Book Fair to sell the rights to publishers worldwide - only to find themselves left without the tools of their trade.
Mauro Spagnol, senior foreign rights manager for the publisher, told The Independent that up to 70 of 100 titles were stolen from his stand, with neighbouring stands suffering similar thefts.
Julia Churchill On Bologna
Julia Churchill says Bologna is not the time and place for authors to pitch their books to agents:
Occasionally, an unpublished author will look to pitch their book. This is the one time of the year that we aren't open to such an approach. Those precious hours and minutes need to be devoted to those authors we already represent - the time is guarded ferociously. So if you're thinking of pitching your book to agents at a book fair, don't. You will get the wrong impression of our industry, and the people in it. Bologna for us is about giving 100% commitment to our authors, not sourcing new talent.
All In Three Days
The 2010 Bologna Children's Book Fair has announced that it will be reduced by one day. The fair will begin on Tuesday, 23 March and run until Thursday, 25 March.