LBF 2025 showcased significant US investment, particularly in solutions-based and escapist genres. Despite successful sales, concern arose over the Organisation of the International Rights Centre amid ongoing renovations. Agents reported high-profile pre-empts and a positive outlook, although some faced challenges with table assignments.
The London Book Fair (LBF) 2025 proved to be an incredibly busy event. US publishers invested heavily, particularly in solutions-based non-fiction and escapist fiction. Literary agent Rachel Mills’ debut novel was an Olympia success while concerns arose regarding the International Rights Centre (IRC).
Drummond Moir of Atlantic Books highlighted a growing demand for solutions-focused content, stating the market felt dynamic and lively. He noted an increasing interest from American publishers, particularly pre-empts.
Juliet Mabey from Oneworld echoed the sentiment, confirming more US editors were present than the previous year, though Vicki Willden-Lebrecht of The Bright Agency expressed worries over potential American book tariffs.
Mills’ novel, featuring a group enabling each other to fulfil their fantasies for a day, gained significant traction. Her agent, Harriet Poland, confirmed a major pre-empt by Atria, marking it as a key release for summer. Additionally, Clare Alexander reported HarperCollins pre-empting Jung Chang’s sequel to her bestselling title, securing multiple translation deals swiftly.
Interest in escapism literature was strong, with titles like Eleanor Buchanan’s “The Sea Stone Sisters” and Gilly Macmillan’s thriller “The Burning Library” attracting numerous international deals. Jon Mitchell from Pan Macmillan described the atmosphere as upbeat, particularly for romantic fiction.
Despite a busy fair, challenges arose with the IRC, which was split due to renovations. Agents reported issues with table assignments, impacting their ability to conduct business effectively. The LBF organisers acknowledged the problems and promised to investigate and rectify table allocation.
Overall, excitement abounded at LBF 2025, showcasing a surge in US interest and addressing the agents’ concerns regarding the IRC’s organisation.
LBF 2025 witnessed robust participation from US publishers, with a focus on solutions-based and escapist literature. While agents highlighted significant sales and pre-empt deals, problems with the IRC marred the experience for some. Despite these setbacks, the fair was regarded positively, revealing a vibrant market eager for new content.
Original Source: www.thebookseller.com