The Frankfurt Invitation Programme

Storymoja Publishers founded in 2007 in Kenya, publishes culturally relevant literature for children and adults. Storymoja is specialized in educational materials, children's books, and African literature. The vision is to “Get a book in every hand.” They have published over 600 titles in English and translated over 100 into other languages. Annually, they run teachers' workshops, writing competitions as well as Read aloud, Storytelling and Book club events. Storymoja Publishers launched the project “Start A Library Trust”, that helped establishing 286 libraries. They are the organisers of Africa's largest International Book Festival.

Griots Lounge Publishing was first founded in Nigeria in 2012, by Binyerem Ukonu (also known as Bibi Ukonu) and Jideofor Aluka, with a focus on new writers of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, especially around the minority southeastern and Niger Delta parts of Nigeria. In 2022, Nomad by Romeo Oriogun, published by Griots Lounge, won the prestigious “Nigeria Prize for Literature”. In 2019, The Colour of Everything Believed by Bura-Bari Nwilo was nominated for the “ANA/Abubakar Gimba Prize for Short Stories”. Griots Lounge has continued to publish award-winning titles from inception.

Tracey McDonald Publishers (TMP), established in 2013, is a leading indie publishing house based in South Africa. In the 11 years of business, they have published 123 titles. Under the TMP imprint they publish non-fiction titles, written by people from Africa, or about Africa. TMP take pride in every book, knowing that readers will finish that last page armed with knowledge, insights, ideas and inspiration that they can put into action (be it in their business, societal or personal life). Under the Incwadi Yothando imprint, Tracey McDonald Publishers publishes fiction – stories that readers can relate to, stories where they may grow with the characters, and stories that fill them with a range of emotions.

Established in 1981, Mkuki na Nyota was founded to address the lack of high-quality, independent publishing in Tanzania. The publishing house is dedicated to creating educational, scholarly/trade, children’s, and art books for worldwide distribution, with a focus on Tanzania and Eastern Africa. They have entered the field of digital publishing, starting with audiobooks through their new imprint, DigiDigi, to expand reach and accessibility. The vision is to be a fiercely independent and vibrant African publishing house, dedicated to producing relevant, progressive, liberating, affordable, and entertaining books. Through their work, they continuously strive to develop and encourage a culture of reading in Tanzania, while nurturing indigenous literature and languages to preserve and share their stories. Mkuki na Nyota received the Bologna Prize for Best Children’s Publishers for Africa in 2021.

Founded in 2012 in Buenos Aires, Fiordo publishes literary fiction and nonfiction in print, digital and audiobook format in Spanish throughout the world, for readers who appreciate thoughtful editions and good design. With more than sixty titles, the catalogue includes translations and original works in Spanish, contemporary authors, and modern classics, as well as a collection of essays (Legua) commissioned to Argentine specialists in different disciplines. In 2018 Fiordo was distinguished as Publisher of the Year, a recognition given yearly by the national chamber of booksellers to outstanding publishing houses in Argentina.

Editora Elefante was founded in May 2011 by Tadeu Breda (editor) and Bianca Oliveira (designer), with the aim of publishing mostly non-fiction books, with some comics and poetry titles. Since then, the publishing house has released 133 titles, mainly in the areas of sociology, anthropology, feminism, Latin American studies, anti-racism, and political essays. The authors are Silvia Federici, Verónica Gago, Günther Anders, bell hooks, Andreas Malm and Alberto Acosta, among many others. The editorial quality and catalogue make Elefante one of the main left-wing publishers in Brazil.

Ediciones Liebre is an independent Chilean company focused on publishing books and apps on early childhood. The catalogue innovates in formats (accordion, pop-up) using poetry, science, and humour at the centre of the reading experience of children. Since 2018, Ediciones Liebre has published 27 books and 3 apps and some of the titles have been translated and published in English, German, Italian, Dutch and Japanese. Ediciones Liebre was shortlisted for the BOP Award at the Bologna Book Fair in 2023 and 2024.

Himpar is a Colombian independent press publishing fiction, non-fiction and poetry since 2014. The catalogue includes renowned Colombian fiction writers such as Luis Fayad, Diana Obando, Chilean author María José Navia, Argentine fiction writer and filmmaker Albertina Carri, and Ecuadorian fiction writer Natalia García Freire, among others. The publishing house understands itself as a working space for writers and editors to boost the work of their first-time authors and enhance new Colombian voices. The catalogue is recognized for the high quality of their developmental editing processes and the dedication and professionalism of the team.

Nitro/Press is an independent publishing house founded in 1997 that specialises in avant-garde stories and essays by authors of different generations from all over Mexico and Latin America. These are published in different series such as Habitaciones Propias (stories by Mexican women writers), NitroNoir (‘crime and mystery’), Letras Rojas (‘true crime’) and Lados B (stories by young, award-winning authors). Numerous titles have been honoured with national and international awards.
The publishing house is represented in the main bookstore chains and at book fairs throughout Mexico and, where possible, abroad.

Founded in 2003 by Samia Zennadi and Karim Chikh, Apic éditions is an Algerian and North African publishing house known for its continental roots. With a vision of openness, its editorial line responds to a Southern orientation that carries projects, promotes ideas, and generates debate. Also, literary texts published won national, continental, and international prizes. With more than two hundred titles in its catalogue, Apic éditions, member of the International Alliance of Independent Publishers, continues its journey of discovery and exchange with the world of international publishing.

Founded in November 1959 by Professor Youssef Abdul Rahman Ali, Alam Al Kotob is a distinguished name in publishing. Alam Al Kotob upholds core principles of integrity and quality, reflected in its relationships with authors, publishers, distributors, and readers. Its mission enriches the Arabic library with valuable works. Alam Al Kotob has published a wide array of distinguished books in various fields, including Law (all branches), Engineering and Arts, Education and Psychology, Literature, Language, and Stories by renowned writers, and important works in all fields of science and knowledge.

Dar Ihyaa El Ouloum Azzahera (DIO AZ) is an independent publishing house based in Casablanca, Morocco, established in 1975. They publish works in French, English, and Arabic, with a recent focus on expanding their children's book collection. The catalogue is enriched through internal publications, and recently, also by acquiring foreign rights for the Moroccan market. The main mission of the publishing house is to make quality books accessible to the Moroccan public, to cultivate the love for reading and open doors to imagination and knowledge for the next generation.

Jadavpur University Press (JUP) is the publishing arm of Jadavpur University, a public university situated in Calcutta, India. Founded in 2012, JUP primarily publishes in English and Bengali. Most of the English titles are in the humanities and social sciences, with authors from both within and outside India. Owing to the lively literature departments in the university, translations have dominated the list, but they also publish academic monographs, anthologies, and proceedings.

Founded in 2004 “Akademnashr” is a leading publisher dedicated to producing high-quality books across various genres. With a strong focus on innovative design and compelling storytelling, they have published nearly 200 titles, each featuring meticulously crafted covers and interiors. Their publication segments include fiction, non-fiction, children's books, and illustrated works. The publishing house is committed to promoting cultural and literary diversity, often collaborating with international authors and artists to bring unique perspectives to our readers.

19th Avenida dives deep into the rich tapestry of Filipino identity, crafting stories that resonate with readers both in the Philippines and abroad. They publish books that are entertaining and thought-provoking, offering fresh perspectives through a Filipino lens. Their works are praised for their authenticity, humour, and depth. From laugh-out-loud medical humour in Duty Ka Ba? comics to the thrilling world of the graphic novel Trese, Avenida Books boasts a treasure trove of genres. 19th Avenida provides a home for crime novels, speculative fiction, and everything in between, giving Filipino storytellers a platform to shine.

Goodreads Lanka is a dynamic and innovative book publishing company that has quickly established itself as a key player in the Sri Lankan publishing and the copyright market. The company was established in 2018 and offers a diverse range of literature, including adult and children's fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, and comics. Embracing digital innovation, they also provide augmented reality (AR) books, audiobooks, and e-books, catering to modern readers' varied preferences.