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Publishers, editors, rights and licensing managers, literary agents and literary translators from around the world can submit applications now / Application deadline: 30 April 2019 / New: Frankfurt International Translators

International networking and knowledge sharing are the focus of the Frankfurter Buchmesse (16-20 October 2019) fellowship and grant programmes. Applications are now open for three international programmes: the Frankfurt Fellowship, the Frankfurt Invitation Programme and the new funding programme for translators of literature and non-fiction – Frankfurt International Translators. Publishers, editors, rights and licensing managers, literary agents and literary translators from around the world can submit applications for these programmes now; the application deadline is 30 April 2019.

New: Frankfurt International Translators – the programme for translators of German-language literary works

In 2019, a new knowledge-sharing and networking programme for literary translators is having its debut: Frankfurt International Translators is aimed at translators of German-language fiction and non-fiction into languages from around the world. Up to 30 translators may participate in the programme, which will take place for the first time from 14 to 18 October 2019 in Frankfurt. Applicants to the programme must have translated at least three German-language literary works. During the week of the book fair, translators will participate in expert seminars, workshops and networking events in Frankfurt and at the book fair. The aim of the programme is to encourage exchanges between international literary translators of German-language works and to promote networking between translators, publishers and editors.

Bärbel Becker, Director International Projects at Frankfurter Buchmesse, says: "I am delighted that our new programme will allow us to invite translators, who play an important role in the international literary discussion, to the world’s largest book fair in Frankfurt. This will put literary translators firmly in the spotlight."

The programme is organised by Frankfurter Buchmesse and implemented with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office. The programme covers participants’ travel and accommodation costs, meals, a trade visitor ticket to the book fair and participation in conferences and workshops.

More information about the programme and how to apply is available online at: www.buchmesse.de/translators

Frankfurt Fellowship – the programme for young publishers and professionals in the fields of editing and rights and licensing

Since 1998, the renowned Frankfurter Buchmesse Frankfurt Fellowship Programme has been promoting knowledge sharing and international networking in the book industry. Young publishing professionals – publishers, literary agents and editing and rights and licensing professionals – can now apply for the Frankfurt Fellowship 2019. Candidates for the programme should have several years experience in the publishing industry and a good level of English.

As part of the two-week programme from 5 to 20 October 2019, the 16 selected Frankfurt Fellows will visit publishing houses and bookshops in major German cities, exchange information about book markets around the world and participate in numerous workshops and networking events. A new feature is that, thanks to a partnership with the Swiss Booksellers’ and Publishers’ Association (SBVV) and the Swiss cultural foundation Pro Helvetia, the Frankfurt Fellows 2019 will also visit publishing houses and bookshops in Switzerland. The highlight of the programme is attending the Frankfurter Buchmesse (16-20 October 2019).

In memory of Fred Kobrak, a dedicated and long-serving executive in the international publishing industry who passed away in 2016, the participation of one of the 16 Frankfurt Fellows in the programme as the "Fred Kobrak Frankfurt Fellow" is funded by the Kobrak family.

Simon Dikker Hupkes, Commissioning Editor Non-Fiction at Atlas Contact (Netherlands) and a 2018 Frankfurt Fellow, says: “The Frankfurt Fellowship has deepened my understanding of the German book industry and has tremendously improved my network there. On top of that, the discussions with the other Fellows, who are all publishing professionals from all over the world, were profound. We are all doing the same thing – publishing great books – but in radically different markets and contexts. To engage in that conversation has changed the way I experience my career; I came back both informed and energized.”

The application form and further information are available online at: www.buchmesse.de/fellows.

A press photo of the Frankfurt Fellows 2018 is available for download here. Please notice the copyright © Frankfurter Buchmesse / Nurettin Ciçek.

Frankfurt Invitation Programme – the programme for publishers from developing book markets

The Frankfurt Invitation Programme allows 20 publishers from developing book markets to present themselves and to engage in international networking at Frankfurter Buchmesse (16-20 October 2019). The programme, taking place on 10-20 October 2019 in Frankfurt, is aimed at small, independent publishers from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Arab world, the Caribbean and Central and Eastern Europe. Applications from publishers are being accepted now; candidates for the programme should have a good level of English.

The carefully selected guests receive a free stand at the book fair, and their travel and accommodation costs are covered. Before the fair begins, programme participants take part in a two-and-a-half-day seminar. The programme is funded by Frankfurter Buchmesse and the German Federal Foreign Office.

Kenza Sefrioui from En Toutes Lettres (Morocco), Invitation Programme participant 2018, says: “The programme is a wonderful opportunity for young independent publishers from all over the world to participate in the main professional meeting of the industry. It gave me the possibility to attend high level seminars about practical issues such as rights trading and book design, to share experiences with professionals and learn about the various situations of the book markets and its innovations. I came home with a stronger network, and a lot of ideas. An exceptional experience!”

More information about the programme and application process is available online at: www.buchmesse.de/invitation-programme

A press photo of the participants of the Frankfurt Invitation Programme 2018 is available for download here. Please notice the copyright © Frankfurter Buchmesse / Nurettin Ciçek.


About Frankfurter Buchmesse
Frankfurter Buchmesse is the international publishing industry’s biggest trade fair – with over 7,500 exhibitors from 109 countries, around 285,000 visitors, over 4,000 events and some 10,000 accredited journalists and bloggers in attendance. It is the most important international marketplace for content – from novels and children’s books to academic databases and stories for films, games and virtual reality experiences. Publishing professionals from around the world meet here with partners from the technology sector and from related creative and cultural industries, sparking new partnerships and business models. A strong conference programme ensures that Frankfurter Buchmesse is a major source of inspiration for content experts from around the world. Since 1976, the book fair has featured an annual Guest of Honour country, which showcases its book market, literature and culture to attendees in a variety of ways. Frankfurter Buchmesse organises the participation of German publishers at around 20 international book fairs and hosts trade events throughout the year in major international markets. Frankfurter Buchmesse is a subsidiary of the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (German Publishers & Booksellers Association). https://www.buchmesse.de/en

Contact for the media:
Press & Corporate Communication, Frankfurter Buchmesse
Katja Böhne, Vice President Marketing & Communications, Phone: +49 (0) 69 2102-138, press@book-fair.com
Kathrin Grün, Head of Communications, Phone: +49 (0) 69 2102-170, gruen@book-fair.com
Ines Bachor, PR Manager, Phone: +49 (0) 69 2102-189, bachor@book-fair.com

> Find all press releases and photos on our website. https://www.buchmesse.de/en/press/