BolognaBookPlus (BBPlus), the brand extension of the Bologna Children's Book Fair dedicated to general adult trade publishing, organized in collaboration with AIE - Associazione Italiana Editori, returned for a second in-person iteration (6-9 March 2023 in Bologna) with its inaugural Market of Honour, Greece. BBPlus once again featured an exhibition space, a training event on the role of the literary agent and scouting, rights, self-publishing, plus an exhibition on the international versions of the covers of Orwell’s 1984 and a showcase of the Best of the Best Greek jacket covers. New for 2023 was a partnership with The Folio Society, who presented three seminars, each centred around the design and illustration theme, with Richard Packer, celebrity illustrator. The Folio Society launched the second Folio Book Illustration Award, announcing the story, the judges, what they are looking for in the artwork, and how to enter.
The conference programme again offered in-depth training on rights selling; author representation and scouting, and writing and self-publishing. How to Sell Rights and Understand Licensing in Children’s Books; Call your Agent: How to Become a Successful Literary Agent, and the expanded Writing and Self-Publishing conference. The three events are now available on demand.
The BBPlus comprehensive seminar programme included a variety of Greek themes and speakers, including a dedicated seminar on technology and innovation in the Greek sector, and an overview of the Greek Book market. AI was a much discussed theme also, with three seminars focusing on this important subject.
The Literary Translation Forum returned, considering two compelling themes: grants and prizes, and scouting for books in translation.
Finally, keeping design and illustration front and centre of BBPlus, Jackets Off, returned for a third year, with the nominated classic, Orwell’s 1984. The exhibition showcased different international versions of this iconic title. 1984 was under discussion, considering the different languages and cultures behind the covers, in a dedicated seminar. The second design initiative, Book Jacket Design: Best of the Best, looked at the best of jacket design in Greece, BBPlus Market of Honour 2023.