Many Indian publishers and book printing companies are present at the fair. National Book Trust, Niyogi Books, Parksons Graphics, International Print-O-Pac, Replika, S Chand, Sterling Publishers and Thomson Press are some of the prominent names who are representing the Indian printing and publishing industry at the event. bengaluru-based Abhimaani are particpating for the first time at the show.
The highlight of the first day at London Book Fair was the announcement of the new James Bond novel. The book will be named Solo which will see the super spy travel to three continents. William Boyd, a Booker-nominated author, was commissioned last year by the Ian Fleming estate to write a new Bond book. Boyd was also the ‘author of the day’ on the first day.
Apart from the Bond announcement, day one was a hectic day with deals being struck and announcement being made all around. Simon & Schuster bought a debut novel for seven-figures and, just before the fair opened, paid six-figures for a non-fiction work by a hedge fund founder.