Just beginning to catch my breath after the Bologna childrens book fair.  First time I’ve been to Bologna – and it was a wonderful experience.  For a start, it’s a beautiful place.  Gorgeous early Renaissance architecture – towers, churches, arcades – mainly brick, all shades of red.  Like walking through a dusty sunset.  And the food (and wine)!  Bologna’s nickname, La Grassa (the fat one), is well deserved, if the quality and quantity of its cheeses and meats are anything to go by.

                Another of Bologna’s nicknames is La Dotta (the learned one), a bookish reference to  the university – the oldest in the world (though Fez claims the same thing, if I remember).  Which brings me to the book fair itself.  Smaller (and nicer) than Frankfurt, it makes a decidedly civilised impression on the newcomer, with its airy, sunlit courtyards and coffee outlets.  The stuff on display at the hundreds of publishers’ booths is no less civilised – astonishing displays of books, art and merchandise.  According to our Rights team (the real workers at the fair, busy selling foreign rights in our books), business was a lot more energetic this year than last.  And I’m very pleased to report (to blow the company’s trumpet for a second), that DFB’s reputation remains very high throughout Continental Europe.  Having taken David’s place at the last minute, I spread great disappointment round the fair by not being him: testament to the affection in which he’s held.

                I was mainly away from our own stand, scouting out foreign-language novels for possible translation into English.  It’s a striking fact that the British translate much less than their Continental equivalent (40% of new books published each year in France will be translated, but only 4% of new books published in Britain will be).  I’m hoping that perhaps there will be some classics to pick up.  We’ll see!  To sustain me while I continue to search, I’ll snack on the chocolate and cheeses I’ve smuggled back with me.

The Random House Stand

Maeve - Hardworking Rights Executive

Behind the scenes with Kelly

Sitting out in the sunshine