The London Book Fair (LBF) announced last night a brand new international awards for the book industry – The London Book Fair International Book Industry Excellence Awards, which is being launched in association with The UK Publishers Association (The PA).
The awards will cover all aspects of the business of publishing, including academic publishing, the supply chain, education, children’s publishing and digital innovation. A panel of UK judges, with international or discipline-specific expertise, will judge 12 individual award categories, which will include:
• The LBF Lifetime Achievement Award in International Publishing
• The PA Award for International Copyright Protection, sponsored by Awards partner, The UK Publishers Association
• The British Council International New Publishing Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This award is part of the British Council Creative Entrepreneurs Programme which identifies and rewards innovative entrepreneurial thinking in the creative sectors around the world
• The LBF, The PA and the British Council Award for Market Focus Innovation
Jacks Thomas, Director, The London Book Fair, said: “Whilst there are various awards in many markets that include an international category, these awards will fill a gap by celebrating international achievement across the whole business of publishing. The awards will provide a truly global view of the book world, and provide an opportunity for the UK publishing industry to recognise, and celebrate, the excellent achievements of their international book industry colleagues.”
Richard Mollet, Chief Executive, The UK Publishers Association, said: “An award recognising the important international dimension of our industry feels long overdue, and it is right to have an occasion in the year to acknowledge it. Overseas markets continue to play a key role for UK publishers, with 41% of revenue coming from exports. There are numerous innovative companies and talented individuals who contribute to the continued success of British publishing internationally and we look forward to applauding their achievements.”
The London Book Fair International Book Industry Excellence Awards will be an evening event, and will take place on Tuesday 8 April, the first day of LBF 2014. The Awards Ceremony will be held in The Conference Centre, Earls Court, London.
The judging panel and A Call for Submissions, outlining entry criteria, will be issued later this month. Submissions will close in December, and the announcement of the shortlist will be issued in February 2014.
