London Book Fair to move to Olympia In 2015, confirms comics pavillion for 2014

By John Freeman on January 15, 2014

Reed Exhibitions has announced that The London Book Fair 2014 – which will again include a comics pavilion this year – will be the last to take place in its current location, Earls Court.

From 2015, The London Book Fair will move from Earls Court to an equally iconic new home at sister ECO venue, Olympia.

The venue change follows the substantial coverage in the media regarding the Earls Court Opportunity Area, which means the future of Earls Court as an exhibition venue from 2015 onwards remains uncertain and it is unlikely to be available.

The momentous decision to change venues was taken following extensive consultation with The London Book Fair Advisory bodies, representing the industry at home and overseas.

‘We have listened long and hard to those who participate in The London Book Fair,” explains Jacks Thomas, Director of The London Book Fair. “While it is sad that Earls Court is unlikely to form part of the London exhibition venue mix, we fully appreciate the great affection the industry has for West London and believe that moving to Olympia is currently the right move for the publishing industry.

British comics publishers at this year’s Book Fair include Random House, SelfMadeHero, Soaring Penguin and Titan Books, with Diamond Distribution also in attendance.

The Fair will be launching its London Book and Screen Week, with the book fair as the pivotal three day event within a five day programme.

The week will open with the established and highly acclaimed Publishing for Digital Minds Conference, on Monday 7th April and will close with a direct-to-consumer creative writing event The London Writers’ Fair on Friday 11th April with other events to be confirmed over the coming weeks.

The week is designed to bring into focus the importance that written content has across an increasingly multi-channel route to the consumer with events planned that it’s hoped will provide cutting-edge revelations about the future of publishing and debate on that future on the Monday, to the business of global rights sales and international meetings throughout the book fair, concluding with an event aimed at the ever-increasing audience interested in writing for book and screen.

The London Book Fair 2014 also launches new pavilions in the Brand Licensing, Gaming and Comics sectors, and an enhanced TV and Film content offering.

“Ensuring that all our 25,000 visitors and exhibitors, representing 114 countries, are presented with a broad range of options to further their businesses remains at the heart of what The London Book Fair does,” says Thomas. “Creating an exhibition and content offering, via the Book Fair itself and also London Book and Screen Week, that showcase the core of publishing while also highlighting the opportunities around aligned multi-media businesses is an exciting reflection of today’s book industry.

“LBF 2014 is shaping up to be a fantastic fair that will celebrate one of the most important creative industries during a time of huge change and opportunity.”

• The London Book Fair 2014 will take place at Earls Court Tuesday April 8th to Thursday April 10th inclusive. London Book and Screen Week will take place from Monday April 7th to Friday April 11th. Web: www.londonbookfair.co.uk

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “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.