If you’re thinking of attending this year’s London Book Fair, there’s not much time left to register and take advantage of Early Bird rates, which end this week.
The trade event over 10th to 12th March 2026 at Olympia, London, isn’t just an opportunity for publishers to promote their catalogues and plans to buyers both in the UK and beyond: there are also a number of special creator panels, running alongside dedicated sections of this huge gathering, including a special “Comic Space” area.
Comic publishers at this year’s event include DC Thomson, Panini UK, Rebellion and Titan, alongside international publishers such as Dark Horse, Italy’s Giangiacomo Feltrinelli Editore, and South Korean publisher Atnoonbooks.
This year’s Creative of the Fair is graphic novelist Alice Oseman, a critically acclaimed, bestselling author-illustrator and a BAFTA-nominated and Emmy-winning screenwriter, based in Kent.
From securing a publishing deal at just 17 to becoming a BAFTA-nominated, Emmy-winning screenwriter, Alice has redefined how stories move from page to screen. A champion of graphic novels, illustration, and inclusive storytelling, their work continues to shape how a new generation reads and watches stories unfold.
Alice is the creator, writer and executive producer behind the Heartstopper Netflix adaptation and has appeared on BBC Breakfast and in Vogue, The New York Times, The Guardian, and many more publications around the world. She has written four YA novels, two novellas, five graphic novels, an official colouring book and a yearbook. In 2024, she was named as Attitude Person of the Year and they were also named as Illustrator of the Year by the British Book Awards.
Another speaker of note is Nigel Twumasi, co-founder of mayamada, a manga brand and mission-driven creative agency that equips aspiring professionals and practitioners with the skills to thrive on their journey. Through original manga universe, storytelling workshops and community events across the UK, they provide structured opportunities to develop skills needed in creative industries whilst championing diversity and inclusion.
Nigel, who’s author of several titles including Samurai Chef and Hot Lunch, serves on the London Mayor’s Cultural Leadership Board, Children’s Media Conference Advisory Committee, Young BAFTA Advisory Group, and Develop Advisory Board. Through hands-on creative workshops and the ‘Do I Look Like A Gamer?’ campaign, mayamada helps aspiring talent develop practical skills for storytelling and creative careers whilst challenging industry stereotypes. Their Showrunners Work Experience programme gives young people real experience working on manga projects, events, and creative content – turning creative dreams into industry ready skills.
Other speakers at this year’s event include Emma Farrarons, an award-winning illustrator and author, winner of the 2025 Klaus Flugge Prize for her debut picture book illustrations in My Hair is as Long as a River by Charlie Castle.
Based in South East London, Emma always carries a sketchbook, turning everyday observations into sketches that shape her stories. Born in the Philippines and raised in Paris, she grew up surrounded by books and drawing. Before becoming a picture book author and illustrator, she spent over sixteen years as a designer in children’s publishing.
UK-based award-winning Spanish illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo is also at London Book Fair. She completed her MA in Children’s Illustration from the prestigious Cambridge School of Art, before going on to be crowned the overall winner of the World Illustration Awards. Her debut picture book, Flooded, has been translated into 20 languages and won the Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration in 2023.
• London Book Fair 10 – 12th March 2026, Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UX | Register for LBF 2026 to hear a huge range of creative voices live on stage
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: British Comics, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, US Comics
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