Well, it’s a wrap!  The Seoul International Writers’ Festival has finished up for yet, another year.
Held both on and offline - from September 23rd ~ 30th September 2022, the festival saw a total of 35 writers partaking in the South Korean event, which included twelve foreign writers, who joined us from eight separate countries. 

The eight-day festival, themed ‘Beyond Narrative’, explored the boundaries of language and genre with readers; opened up discussions between writers and critiques and offered readings to the audience members.
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Pulitzer-winning poet – Forrest Gander delivered the opening, keynote speech.  His book of poems titled - ‘Be With’ - published in 2019, gained him world-wide recognition as an international poet. Other leading writers, such as Kim Hye-Soon and Santiago Gamoa also participated in the event. Soon is well-respected in South Korea writer and was the first Asian woman to have ever won the Canadian, ‘Griffin Poetry Prize’.  As part of the SIW Festival, she also recited some of her works at the Seoul Community Cultural Centre in Seogyo, on Saturday, September 24th. 

Also taking part, was the well-known Columbian author, Gamboa - for his book, ‘Night Prayers’.  Both Gamboa and Song also joined the virtual presentation at closing session of the event for literary discussion.  Sun was responsible for translating his work into Korean for the general public to enjoy. 
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The festival saw many well-known writers come together.  Hugo Award-winning, American author - Naomi Kritzer of ‘Cat Pictures Please’; New York Best-Seller, Indian novelist - Megha Majumdar for the title, ‘A Burning’; Shortlisted for the 2017 Man Booker International Prize Argentinian author – Samantha Schweblin for her work entitled, ‘Fever Dream; and Wu Mingyi who was the first Taiwanese writer to have been longlisted for the 2018 Man Booker International Prize for work titled, ‘The Stolen Bicycle’.

​It can be noted, Korean author – Kim Bo-Young who wrote, ‘I am Waiting for You’ was the first English translation of a Korean sci-fi novel, published by HarperCollins.  Author of ‘The Plotters’ by Kim Un-Su, saw this book shortlisted for the Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere in France; it is presently being made into a Korean Film.  Cheon Seon-Ran – author of ‘A Thousand Blues’ also took part in the event.  Her novel won Grand Prize, at the Korean Science Literature Award in 2019.
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All-in-all, we saw and listened to some very interesting and knowledgeable authors present not only their works, but also an insight into their creative minds that penned these wonderful works.

Publishing in Australia and New Zealand yield distinct differences, but also reveal unique benefits for either region.  Sound interesting?  We thought so too. 

​Join Lee Walker from the Australian Publishers Association, Hugo Setzer - the International Publishers Association and Julia Marshall - President of the Publishers Association of New Zealand to see what lies on the horizon for the publishing industry.

Every year, the Australian Book Industry Awards brings together and celebrates the talents of not only authors and illustrators, but also the hardworking publishers that go out of their way to support such fine work.  Without publishers, such talent might go undiscovered and the world of literature as we know it, would be a lesser place.  

We look forward to seeing the humble newcomer make it big in children's literature; cheer when we experience the playful colours of unseen illustrators; marvel at the penmanship of seasoned writers and give thanks to the never-ending support, encouragement and belief of editors and their publishing houses. 

The ABIA – Australian Book Industry Awards are set to hit the publishing world with a bang, on April 29th, 2020.  The shortlist will be released on Thursday April 9th, 2020 - with more than 250 publishing industry representatives from booksellers and agents, to publishing houses and media – all who have selected and voted for books published in 2019, across 12 categories. 
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This is a night-of-nights to remember in the publishing world because it is not just about the authors, having written awesome tales; it is about all the other people who work tirelessly to bring a book to fruition and ultimately to market, for you - the reader.  We are talking about the extra-ordinary efforts of illustrators, designers, editors, marketers, publishers and of course, authors.  

The art of book publishing is one of the oldest, most valuable and well-respected processes on the planet.  It guides our learners,  assists our educators and inspires our readers. 
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On this famous night, we show our appreciation for a job well done, a creation well-created and a year well spent, in delivering some of the best and most memorable books in history. 

Of course, there will be pomp and circumstance for this red carpet event. The Sydney International Convention Centre will be packed out by guests, entrants and awesome entertainment.  Casey Bennetto will do the honours this year, as our host, and Claire Bowditch will delight us with a guest performance.  

If ever you wanted to know what was happening in the publishing world or learn about the people who make it all possible – then you need to put this on your calendar; and if you are a member of the Australian Publishers Association – then, this is your night to be celebrated and appreciated.

Book your tickets at The Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA).
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Where: Grand Ballroom, International Convention Centre, Sydney
When: 29th April, 2020
Cost: $220 for members | $300 for non members
Registrations Open: 6th February, 2020 - 6:00 am
Registrations Close: 29th April, 2020 – 3:00 pm

The International Publishers Association has called for a Presidential Pardon to free Khaled Lotfy - publisher of the Egyptian edition of Uri Bar-Joseph's - 'The Angel: The Egyptian Spy Who Saved Israel'. 

Chair of the IPA Freedom to Publish Committee stated, "It is incomprehensible that Khaled Lotfy can be imprisoned, not only for publishing a book, but for publishing a new version of a book that was already available.  His only chance of freedom is a Presidential Pardon, and we implore President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to release Khaled so that he can be reunited with his family."

Although, 'The Angel: The Egyptian Spy Who Saved Israel' was turned into a successful Netflix film titled - 'The Angel'; and Khaled Lotfy received the IPA' Prix Voltaire Award in May 2019, it appears nothing short of a Presidential Pardon will save this diligent publisher from prison.

Lofty has been detained in Egypt for the past two years unable to leave, meet or communicate with family. His publishing serves to spread knowledge and create awareness of different cultures.

• To read more about, 'The Angel: The Egyptian Spy Who Saved Israel' click the link.
• To find out more about the IPA - The International Publishers Association, established in 1896, is the world's largest federation of publishers associations with 83 members in 69 countries.
• Learn more about the Prix Voltaire Award