Heather White

After the largely successful London Book Fair in March, this past week's Bologna Children's Book FairThe Bologna Children's Book Fair or La fiera del libro per ragazzi is the leading professional fair for children's books in the world. confirms that, at least for the books sector, such events are back in business. Bologna is usually both busy and buzzy-yes, the alliteration plays its part-but this year it was positive and energetic too, its new April date providing the longer run-up that London, for some, lacked.  Read more

Publishers and agents have reported "brisk" trading on the first day of a packed 61st Bologna Children's Book FairThe Bologna Children's Book Fair or La fiera del libro per ragazzi is the leading professional fair for children's books in the world. (BCBF), with Young Adult and rom-coms the hot titles, graphic novels on the rise and picture books holding steady, though middle-grade has been called "a tougher sell".

As m.d. of the almost 90-year-old agency David Higham AssociatesAgents for the negotiation of all rights in fiction, general non-fiction, children's fiction and picture books, plays, film and TV scripts (home 15%, USA/translation 20%, scripts 10%). Represented in all foreign markets. Preliminary letter and return postage. All adult submissions should be typed with double line spacing on one side only of A4 paper and pages should be numbered. Be sure to include a covering letter; a full plot synopsis of the proposed book; the first two or three chapters of the book; a CV and a stamped addressed envelope. Founded 1935, Lizzy Kremer isn't afraid of a little hard work and says what's crucial is 'a keen sense of unseen advocacy and active engagement with publishers'.