The 2015 South African Book Fair

After a less successful South African Book Fair (SABF) in 2014, the board received some valuable input from members at the AGM meeting in August and introduced a few developments for 2015. Not only will this event now take place in Johannesburg, but it will also take place a month after the usual date. We asked new Programme Director, Batya Green-Bricker, to fill us in.

How did you get involved in the South African Book Fair?

For me, being part of a city-wide celebration of the written word, like a book festival, was a natural extension of my work to date in the South African book-trade. I worked for Exclusive Books for 13 years, in the role of strategic marketing manager for the group, as it grew from nine stores to over 50. I steered many projects that focused on encouraging a love of reading to both children and adults, Christmas campaigns that promoted books as the best gifts, and marking significant celebratory book days – such as World Book Day – on a national scale. The introduction and growth of the award-winning Homebru, a showcase to promote South African writing, succeeded in encouraging South Africans to read more South African written books. I also worked with the corporate social responsibility arm of Exclusive Books, with specific involvement in donating libraries to worthy communities.

The South African Book Fair is the perfect platform to take the many lessons learnt along the way and put them into practice on a different scale. And now that the bookfair is in my home-town, I think its going to fly.

Why the change in date?

The festival date is carefully selected based on what else is happening in that city over the elected period.

How does the Fibre, Processing and Manufacturing (FP&M) Seta fit into the SABF? We understand they are a sponsor.

The FP&M Seta , through the visionary leadership of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors (Mr Sipho Ngidi) and the dynamism of the Chief Executive Officer (Ms Felleng Yende), has massively supported the South African Book Fair 2015 as part of the Seta’s achievement of its Strategic Intent to “build sectoral skills and develop capacity” in its 13 industry sectors. The special project grant offered to the book fair will enable the publishing industry to assist the skills growth of 50 small and emerging publishers through the South African Book Fair in 2015. The book fair is a crucial platform for the FP&M seta to grow the skills of the publishing industry.

Other than the FPM Seta, are there any other big sponsors that have been approached?

Yes; we are in the process of negotiating these sponsorships.

Can you give us more information on the literary/author programme?  With this being the focus of the event, what can we expect to see?

The Fair hopes to offer, amongst others, a children’s zone, a book launch-pad, and three breakaway rooms that will offer around 40 diverse sessions – from serious discussion around topical issues and current affairs to fun chats with authors and local celebrities. The 2015 three-day programme will feature book launches and signings, author interviews, literary workshops and forums, exhibitions and displays, and much more. Friday is a dedicated schools and library day, with a committed and carefully crafted literary programme for learners and educators.

Through events, exhibits, readings and debates, we hope to make books and words come to life.

Do you think that more publishers and authors from Southern Africa will attend the Book Fair because it is in Johannesburg and not Cape Town this year?  

Undoubtedly.

The wide appeal and importance of this Book Fair, in addition to feedback from last year’s Fair, prompted a decision to alternate between Johannesburg and Cape Town – an innovative move that will ensure that SABF  has the greatest impact on South African readers and also becomes entrenched as a major book event on the African continent.

So, for the first-time ever, The South African Book Fair (SABF) will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa’s industrial and cultural centre.

We are excited to hear that there will be a special bookselling area. Will this area be dedicated to booksellers?  How can our members get involved and what would be expected of them should they participate?

Booksellers have often participated through initiatives devised by the South African Booksellers’ Association (SABA) or as individual companies. SABA could, if they choose to do so, exchange ideas with PASA about their programme objectives for SABF2015.  Booksellers should contact SABA  at +27 21 945-1572 alternatively saba@sabooksellers.com or the event organisers, The Forum, at +27 11 575 388 or www.theforum.co.za for enquiries and bookings.

In the past, school groups were invited, will this continue at this year’s book fair?

The school’s programme is going to be stronger than ever, and a structured programme has been established to ensure maximum benefit and exposure to a wide range of schools. Friday is a dedicated schools and library day, and so schools educators and librarians will be given our full attention.

Which government departments and or industry stakeholders will be approached to participate in the fair?

In the past, we have received support for the book fair from the Department of Arts and Culture and the Department of Trade and Industry. We also get good support from the Department of Basic Education. We hope to attract increased participation from the Department of Higher Education and Training.  These are government departments we will approach but we are also open to any other department that may show some interest in the South African Book Fair.

Will publishers also be selling books or is it just going to be the booksellers?

This is a rare opportunity for publishers and authors to directly interface with their readers, and so publishers will certainly also have the opportunity to sell books. However, the range sold by publishers will differ from what is on offer from booksellers, providing sales opportunity across the board.

With smaller stands and the fair focusing on the author programme, are you expecting publishers to bring more authors through, giving it a more literary festival feel?

The focus of this fair will be a celebration of books, reading, writing and authors, with special attention given to current issues as well as the breadth and depth of South African and African publishing.

You hosted the Footnote Summit in 2014, will there be any events similar to this in 2015?

The Footnote Summit will take place on Thursday 30 July in Johannesburg. Details of the venue will be confirmed shortly. For further details please contact Suhaifa Naidoo suhaifa@footnotesummit.com.

What marketing strategies will be considered to optimise media coverage of the Fair and to amplify the message of Reading, Writing and Books?

Sorry, I can’t divulge details at present. Watch this space!

Do you have any other public relations information our readers should know about?

Want to know more about the Fair? Visit:  http://www.southafricanbookfair.co.za/