Inside Bologna 2025: Fresh Insights from the Book Fair’s Opening Day
- Southern Voices Printing Press
- Apr 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 5
Pia Perez
April 3, 2025
The 62nd edition of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) is no longer just about rights trading—it has evolved into a hub for learning, where publishers, authors, and illustrators gain a deeper awareness of key issues and trends in children’s book publishing.
Navigating the Publishing Landscape
On the first day of the fair (March 31, 2025), amid back-to-back meetings with publishers from various countries, there was an opportunity to gain valuable insights from industry experts.
Understanding What an Agent Does and How to Become One
One of the key sessions featured scouts and agents sharing their experiences and insights into the publishing industry. The discussion underscored the transformative impact of the internet on rights trading, the potential for older books—those published over five years ago—to reach new audiences in international markets, and the crucial role that book reviews play in a title’s success.
Empowering Women in Publishing
The panel discussion, “Her Vision, Her Voice: Thriving as a Female Entrepreneur in Publishing,” organized by PublisHer, brought together women from different continents to discuss the challenges faced by female publishers and the strategies to overcome them.
I was fortunate to secure a 15-minute mentoring session the next day with Silvia Vassena, an esteemed Italian publisher, whose insights were truly invaluable. She emphasized the importance of having confidence in your work and your books, understanding which countries are actively buying rights—since over 80% of the market is selling, not buying—and keeping a detailed record of meeting outcomes and key takeaways at the end of each day. She also encouraged participating in more international book fairs, despite the challenges faced by independent publishers from countries with declining reading habits.
Sustainability and Social Impact in Publishing
Sustainable Brands Are Good for Business
Another engaging discussion explored how eco-friendly philosophies can be integrated into business models. One of the panelists represented the company behind Maya the Bee, a childhood favorite of my grandchildren. The conversation highlighted how these industry leaders have built their businesses into sustainable brands while leveraging their influence to raise awareness about climate change and environmental issues.
Writing Children’s Books Today: A Creative Exchange
This session brought together renowned authors and illustrators to share insights into their creative processes. It was fascinating to hear from those who both write and illustrate their own work, as well as illustrators who have stepped into storytelling. The conversation also explored how many have become their own sharpest critics, offering a deeper look into the evolution of their craft.
A Heartfelt Poetry Session: Voices from Palestine
One of the most emotional sessions of the day was “I Will Not Write Poetry: Voices from Palestinian Children Under War.” An educator from the Tamer Institute for Community Education read selected poems written by Palestinian children—poems that embodied their resilience and search for hope amid war, hunger, and daily uncertainty. Many in the audience, myself included, struggled to hold back tears. I sincerely hope that this latest book published by Tamer is translated into multiple languages and reaches readers worldwide.
A Day of Learning and Growth
Overall, Day 1 of the 62nd Bologna Children’s Book Fair was an eye-opening experience filled with learning, inspiration, and meaningful conversations. A heartfelt thank you to the Filipino taxpayers and the National Book Development Board (NBDB) PH for making it possible for us eight grantees to be part of this incredible explosion of visuals, words, and ideas!
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