Frankfurter Buchmesse 2026: What Everyone in Publishing Will Be Talking About

00:00:04: And here is On The Books.

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00:00:39: Welcome to On The Books presented by Publishing Perspectives & Remote Daily!

00:00:45: OnTheBooks is this show for global publishing community where we feature sharp insights news and trends and irresistible guests.

00:00:56: I'm Felix Zeltner, a journalist and founder of Vermo Daily.

00:00:59: And i have the huge honor to co-host together with

00:01:02: Aaron Cox!

00:01:03: I am the publisher of Publishing Perspectives.

00:01:05: So good to see you Aaron.

00:01:06: so good to See You too Felix.

00:01:07: we've both been on The Road this summer...so it's nice To be back Together again in studio..and here We go?

00:01:13: ..And we're now just before Just under Cusp Of the oldest and largest book fair In the world Frank for the Buchmesse ...and we want Take Readers Listeners Viewers today into the biggest topics of The Biggest Book Fair in the world.

00:01:29: We will be recording live morning shows want to call

00:01:32: it yeah

00:01:33: episodes With prominent guests and Frankfurt, and today now first ever taping from New York City we are sharing a preview.

00:01:41: what's coming.

00:01:42: I'm so excited Aaron because you know?

00:01:44: I am the journalist.

00:01:45: I'm sitting somewhere on the outside.

00:01:46: You're not your end year like in there embedded With the team, you know everything that's going on.

00:01:53: The hottest topics...the latest trends.

00:01:55: maybe a few secrets.

00:01:57: How many times have you attended Frankfurt?

00:02:00: So officially I've been seventeen times but sixteen of those were in person and one was virtual.

00:02:06: so i was One of the Virtual co-hosts of the Frankfurt Frankfurter Buchmasse when we did it virtually in twenty twenty.

00:02:18: Co-hosting with you is always a bliss because your in so many communities and conversations.

00:02:24: And of course I have to start by asking just from your perspective, how do we weigh AI as the topic this year?

00:02:35: Just me hosting The Hof which was one of the formats for Book Fair and being a journalist Young professionals fearing for their jobs.

00:02:45: I have read about publishers suing AI While using a i internally.

00:02:52: so they're suing ai companies, but they're using your tools internally.

00:02:55: at the same time.

00:02:56: There are authors.

00:02:58: there were pieces all over that than the news media.

00:03:01: The last couple of days admired author is being accused Of writing with AI been taking off up being taken off awards lists and others on the other hand are self publishing, and sometimes a book a day or twenty books a week openly admitting that they're using AI.

00:03:20: And co-creating with about weeping benefits.

00:03:23: so I don't even know where to look.

00:03:25: To be honest what were you paying attention?

00:03:28: What it would have you looking at as the most worthwhile things to look into when going to Frankfurt this year?

00:03:36: Yeah absolutely As you said It's a thorny subject.

00:03:41: You know, in past years it was sort of like we went from the theoretical to now last year or the last two years.

00:03:47: It's been more practical.

00:03:49: how do you use AI?

00:03:50: And now where are in them

00:03:52: should

00:03:53: be using if he said How she would be using it responsibly.

00:03:56: all those questions and I think that mirror is what were seeing on the rest of world there some people who used a high many people who use after their daily news intake for finding out road trip in Spain and Portugal, we use Claude to sort of plan our roadtrip activities.

00:04:16: So there are people who use AI for all kinds of things And I think AI is such a it's big term with a lot in their that as an you know world but also has industry need unpacking little bit more.

00:04:29: We're starting see some cracks on the system.

00:04:32: Of course You were hearing from people have created these systems.

00:04:36: There are dangers that had been unexplored emerging, and so looking at that through our prism.

00:04:43: And that's definitely something the opening press conference speaker Joel Lapour will be speaking about.

00:04:49: So she just wrote a book that focuses very much on that.

00:04:52: I'm sure

00:04:53: we'll hear more

00:04:53: about it.

00:04:55: Peace from her in The New Yorker where this magazine is being published worries and also some of the incidents that were happening.

00:05:06: And what I get from you is it sounds like when we look at this AI topic as a hype cycle, with all those little topics underneath there which just talked about... It seems where maybe gone over-the-peak already?

00:05:18: Going

00:05:18: to Frankfurt twenty

00:05:20: six?

00:05:21: We're still sort seeing in ... When people are actually being surveyed how much they use AI a small subset of people who are using it quite a lot.

00:05:33: Some people were using for basic tasks and then some not use at all, but also depends on the market where we're speaking from you know, Northern Hemisphere or Western European standpoint and other places where technology may be more advanced.

00:05:49: So potentially in Asia they're maybe using it different ways.

00:05:53: in other places were they might not have as much access to the technology that we'll see a lot of played out on various stages

00:06:05: Are using it, but is not getting as much benefit from it.

00:06:08: then there's a danger zone.

00:06:09: Is there something that gets you really excited about AI and publishing?

00:06:14: I think we...I enjoy change so- And also i came form technology background.

00:06:22: my father worked in technologies.

00:06:25: I am always looking for how we can improve the systems.

00:06:28: Publishing is, there are some aspects of publishing that we've been doing for hundreds of years.

00:06:34: There's room to do things and use technology in order to reach our customers or engage readers if AI can be used in a responsible way.

00:06:46: That conversation is interesting But you know, I'm a person who is very comfortable with technology.

00:06:55: And with change and having an open mind going out of the comfort zone which i think a lot of people in publishing are telling each other now hey yes You have to go out into comfort so we can not fend this off.

00:07:06: somehow embrace it.

00:07:11: Exactly!

00:07:15: speakers where you're saying, also maybe from a technology standpoint it's super interesting to listen in.

00:07:20: Yeah definitely so I think the CEO of Tonys which is an interactive audio system.

00:07:27: his name is Tobias Juan.

00:07:28: Yes he has that at home

00:07:29: okay?

00:07:29: Oh You do tell me more!

00:07:32: The Tony box Is To Me A Design Genius Product.

00:07:39: i don't know if That was correct English but just our now two year old being able to use a tech product by himself.

00:07:50: To me that was like, okay this is amazing design if thats you know If that works, then you have cracked something.

00:07:57: That's much bigger than net and I don't like the price of the Tony figures because they're all licensed.

00:08:03: And then you get a new toy story Tony figure for A lot of money and Then your half this piece plastic at home.

00:08:10: so there is also things i am Like.

00:08:12: yeah not sure but The genius thats in This box?

00:08:17: I'm totally and for it and Im very excited to hear from From the CEO who I think took over form the founders branching out this company worldwide.

00:08:26: And I think it is taking the U S right now, yeah?

00:08:29: It's wildly successful.

00:08:31: It started in Germany and expanded across Europe.

00:08:34: Now he was coming to the US.

00:08:36: so you know world domination as next i'm sure.

00:08:39: but yes will be interesting to see what Tobias has say that we'll at noon on Wednesday In The Global CEO Talk

00:08:46: As a journalist also looking at This is IP.

00:08:50: nowadays You have it in AI stealing book pages, but you also have it a little plastic figurine that's sitting on the box.

00:08:58: Yes!

00:08:59: It is

00:08:59: an amazing world to publishing as

00:09:02: well.

00:09:02: Remember when we just had physical books and then they went out of print?

00:09:05: And your like?

00:09:05: oh there was nothing I can do about now... Well never read this again.

00:09:10: And its so not true.. I think book sales are up aren't they in

00:09:12: U.S.?

00:09:13: They Are Up.

00:09:15: But actually, that's a good question.

00:09:17: Yeah

00:09:18: I mean it fascinates me endlessly this whole industry and i'm so glad we get the chance to mingle.

00:09:24: you can listen to one of people who are in many conversations next topic hours audio.

00:09:32: We keep thinking that audiobooks are going to go the same way that ebooks went, which was audiobook sort of or ebook sort of went you know had a meteoric rise.

00:09:40: everybody got really excited about their technology and oh this is something really good!

00:09:43: And then it leveled off...and then it started to decline....And so now we're looking at audiobooks saying wow are we still..we're now multiple years each with exponential growth as new listeners are coming new readers new listeners um and in some cases were tapping into an audience of people who have never You know, who don't read anymore.

00:10:04: They don't physical books any more they don't really need books But they enjoy storytelling, and so this gives them an opportunity to if they have busy lives.

00:10:12: If they long commutes or other things that This is an opportunity for them to still listen to books.

00:10:18: So I think we're still seeing that growth.

00:10:21: We are seeing it also new markets expand.

00:10:25: so the US the UK Parts of Europe Sweden those are all very well-developed audio bookmarkets.

00:10:32: but we're seeing audiobook Markets in other parts of be created and built.

00:10:39: And we're seeing that with a lot of infrastructure from, you know sort of these larger platforms that are expanding into these markets to provide With humans and with AI.

00:10:54: Okay, it's fascinating to me because a friend of mine just published her book And he went to the studio and you read the audiobook.

00:11:00: so when I listen through your big guy Listened to my friends which i love now also can hear him breathe?

00:11:05: It's him right.

00:11:06: but then You know i also imagine let say somebody wants an eye to publish in icelandic audio book in farzy.

00:11:14: How do you find someone who Can translate that book or can even, you know be there as a speaker.

00:11:21: So why not using technology for that and making the market grow exponentially because he can think of any combination language now somehow able to do it.

00:11:31: what I also heard though was in latest half session we hosted which is fittingly around AI.

00:11:37: Is that English your language?

00:11:40: I'm not native German Your languages this bridge.

00:11:44: so when go from Icelandic to Farsi probably the EIAI takes English as an intermediary, so we might all speak a little more English-ish even in other languages which is kind of weird

00:11:57: to me.

00:11:57: Which it's very strange and I think that something... We're sort of seeing with technology in general because people who are building these large language models that were developing then being used for creating things they tend be American And so there is that American English sort of barrier.

00:12:18: It's not, it's not a one size fits all for everybody and

00:12:20: you're sneaking into other languages?

00:12:24: You know... It's our

00:12:24: secret world domination

00:12:26: by the way.

00:12:27: I know as a fact Chechia is part like guest-of-honor country.

00:12:34: yeah off this year book fair and i know because my dad was born their and still speaks a language little bit.

00:12:41: he says english Creeping into that language and the older are telling their younger people you're using too much English And they're like well, but we have a tiny landlocked country.

00:12:51: We have to adjust an adapt and we're global citizens.

00:12:54: We are Europeans.

00:12:55: super interesting to think about that country as now being on The big stage this year.

00:13:02: I'm so looking forward to it.

00:13:03: Yeah discover books You know from My dad's home country in a way and part of my family, so I'm super excited about this.

00:13:11: But i'm also wondering like how does the country like that do it?

00:13:21: Which

00:13:22: they don't have.

00:13:23: It's a reference to Winter's Tale by Shakespeare, which is set in Bohemia and talk about the sea.

00:13:31: And of course there are no actual seas.

00:13:34: I forget what they call it The Shakespeare Problem Play or something like that.

00:13:38: That's

00:13:38: just like metaphor.

00:13:40: They say we're on the Sea Of Literature The Ocean of Literature that you will explore, and they'll bring seventy-five writers who will very much focus on sort of the ocean literature we're seeing both from there but also how it fits into larger oceans.

00:14:01: It's really compelling.

00:14:03: I can't wait to see their

00:14:09: Guest Of Honor Pavilion.

00:14:15: the people who are creating it, but they've shown me no images.

00:14:18: Oh

00:14:18: wow!

00:14:19: Come

00:14:19: on tell us something.

00:14:20: I feel like i should get that inside scoop.

00:14:22: But now

00:14:23: what else is coming to The Book Fair this year from around the world?

00:14:26: That you're excited about?

00:14:27: well...I'm really excited because one of the challenges I think Is being able to drill in to different markets.

00:14:35: So, you know I'm obviously American but publishing perspective is we focus a lot on...I mean our goal industry and focus on markets, educate people in other markets about a market that they don't live but which would like to work.

00:14:53: So it's great having new stages.

00:14:57: so we have the Asia stage.

00:14:59: returning this year always has really rich market reports and insight into how people might be working at that market.

00:15:06: This year were launching the LATAM stage although the Germans say Yes, exactly.

00:15:15: But short for Latin American.

00:15:19: but it's the fiftieth anniversary of Frankfurter Book Mesa having a focus and their first sort of focus at The Book Fair was Latin America.

00:15:27: so this is Um, fifty years later.

00:15:34: So they're launching the stage which will be really great because The Latin American market is is Really fascinating and interesting And so we'll be able to get lots of great insight about the various countries in that region and how those are How people can Can work?

00:15:51: In those regions.

00:15:52: one thing I do know from hosting the office at Brazil has an amazing variety things going on when it comes to events, social media and anything that engages readers.

00:16:05: What else excites you as a North American looking towards the South?

00:16:10: Well I think its interesting because this is sometimes our challenge Northern Hemisphere, sort of European American perspectives.

00:16:23: We say all Latin America is this way which isn't true at all.

00:16:28: so it's interesting to look the differences from country-to-country.

00:16:32: you just highlighted some great things about Brazil.

00:16:35: The first half year saw a thirteen percent increase over twenty twenty five in terms book sales.

00:16:41: that an incredible increase.

00:16:44: That's huge.

00:16:45: You know, we're hearing about how there is a decline in readership all around the world.

00:16:48: well this just shows that maybe thats not the case in Brazil.

00:16:52: There are obviously many more factors to weigh-in but Thats something really interesting.

00:16:57: But in Argentina The booksellers say its state of emergency because they've had a decline of twenty five percent from twenty three to twenty six.

00:17:08: So those two countries have wildly different situations.

00:17:12: And in Guatemala, that's another market.

00:17:16: That's really interesting.

00:17:16: there are twenty two Mayan languages that are spoken and Guatemala.

00:17:21: I know it's shocking.

00:17:22: so not everybody is reading in Spanish which would be the sort of national language i guess.

00:17:29: So then how do you appeal to twenty?

00:17:31: You obviously can't publish a book in twenty-two different languages.

00:17:39: Information.

00:17:40: I think that we have very little reporting on that market.

00:17:42: So it's interesting to just sort of see all the differences and to understand.

00:17:47: And there's a lot of opportunity for publishers around the world to sort of tap into this markets.

00:17:51: so, you know The goal of publishing perspectives in the goal of the book fair is very much To sort of make the world seem a little smaller and be able to bring books to readers wherever they might Be mm-hmm.

00:18:02: Can't imagine that booksellers used to have just a lot infrastructure issues, especially in these large land masses that are there on South America when you're thinking about Chile or Argentina.

00:18:16: What it even means to ship a book to the south versus the north?

00:18:19: Or out of a big city into countryside.

00:18:22: and I guess also technology is probably off help.

00:18:26: Yes definitely Definitely well.

00:18:28: And then It's Also Looking at if You just To go Back to The AI Question too Is our audio books maybe the best way?

00:18:36: So in Guatemala, would it be easier to have AI translate all of these audiobooks into the twenty-two Mayan languages.

00:18:46: And so that's sort of you know we want to be able to tap into readers and share stories.

00:18:52: is there a way?

00:18:53: they're technology might bridge that gap.

00:18:57: well Have seen any?

00:18:59: Not

00:19:00: yet, but I'm not a specialist in that area.

00:19:03: So iIm sure my colleague at the book fair

00:19:06: who

00:19:07: works down there.

00:19:07: Countries like Papua New Guinea have like two hundred languages inside of the country and what they could unlock.

00:19:15: And I want to go back sort-of too you know To go more local into The Book Fair because a lot has happened around the actual fair.

00:19:27: Inside baseball here for a moment, so I know that one hall had to shut down

00:19:32: structural

00:19:32: issues?

00:19:33: So everybody who was booked in that space has to be moved or have to move somewhere else.

00:19:39: There is also new layout.

00:19:41: there's not...the fair itself changed.

00:19:45: Willingly to say we want to do everything differently this year with people who are readers and People were more in the business of publishing.

00:19:51: Mm-hmm.

00:19:52: And then there's also new incoming director, so I don't know what is not changing

00:19:58: Me just me.

00:20:00: yep on stage hall six closing was sort of a situation beyond The book fairs control.

00:20:08: That's like convention center messa issue.

00:20:11: that than the Book Fair had to navigate

00:20:14: last minute

00:20:14: Last minute, and so I think that was its own challenge But with hope that will not Prevent anybody from doing you know good work.

00:20:24: Yeah week but the hall layout i think is really important?

00:20:28: I mentioned previously That i'm absolutely delighted by change And I Think this Is something Good But I think it's The Hall Layout Was to Bring Readers sort of more central into the book fair.

00:20:42: And as we're seeing in the market, you know social media is driving what people are reading and buying.

00:20:50: so me as a person who has not an expert in the industry could develop a following on Book Talk and I can recommend a book that came out forty years ago That i really loved or I could You Know recommend my friend's book Or whatever?

00:21:07: And that's something we, as an industry need to really be paying attention too.

00:21:12: You can see the increase in sales for books and particularly printbooks which is fascinating are a younger generation of audience who are discovering these books purely through book talk.

00:21:23: They do not read literary criticism.

00:21:25: they don't know anything about publishers except from those publishing.

00:21:31: It's very much driven by the readers.

00:21:33: The readers are driving it themselves, and so we need to pay attention to that and we need embrace as an

00:21:39: industry.".

00:21:39: So I think book fair bringing readers in more closely for engagement helps but also not integrating with larger process of B-to-B work which needs done all be on the same level.

00:21:54: So it'll be easier, you're not running up and down escalators business

00:21:57: upstairs party downstairs that's

00:21:59: right.

00:21:59: yeah It's like a business in The Front Party In The Back but different.

00:22:03: yes Yeah

00:22:05: And there is an but.

00:22:05: then the purpose of real motivation Is driven by the readers because the book fair sees more Readers more absolutely younger audiences just coming to this event.

00:22:16: Absolutely On them buy themselves self motivated and they want To Be There.

00:22:20: and so the Book Fair giving Them More Space

00:22:22: Right That's pretty cool.

00:22:24: And I think engaging them in a different way and that we as an industry need to really take the heart, you know?

00:22:31: This is something where we might say like book talk isn't a fad but it's driving what are not every type of book which has been published by us

00:22:50: so much.

00:22:52: I also read like as a journalist, i'm so intrigued by just people gathering around reads.

00:22:59: So there's now reading parties where people go to the bar and they're all...they are reading books in silence

00:23:06: pretty much.

00:23:07: There is Book clubs springing up everywhere.

00:23:11: I just wrote a statistics.

00:23:12: There's the first half of twenty six saw on Just one events platform where people put like hey sign Up here for my book club.

00:23:20: thirty three percent more book clubs and most Of them around niche topics, Like really small granular?

00:23:28: And From hosting this one person in Brazil.

00:23:31: she said you know any interview that Now there is book clubs in brazil That meet For A book.

00:23:37: thats not out yet.

00:23:38: Oh, so let's say there have been a series of three books and the fourth is like about to drop that year.

00:23:45: They already meet and talk about that.

00:23:47: Wow!

00:23:47: And I thought this amazing.

00:23:49: but then off course the publishers are like wait a second.

00:23:51: There's The Readers Of Our Next Book Already Gathering?

00:23:54: Yeah We could maybe be part of it.

00:23:56: So there was huge breakup moment she said in Brazil too phenomenon And maybe a little more progressive than in other places in the world.

00:24:03: Yeah, absolutely Absolutely.

00:24:05: I mean i think we get sort of you know We get sort Of stuck In a rut like this.

00:24:09: is what?

00:24:09: We've always done or Or a rut slash tradition people You Know depending on What side of it you Think you're On.

00:24:17: um you know sometimes you you you think This Is The way It has Always Been Done and This Is the Way We will Always do it.

00:24:24: but Sometimes There's an Opportunity and I think we need to look To what readers are telling us that they want.

00:24:31: And so, you know this sounds really interesting in Brazil but they're doing that...

00:24:38: Well is there anything else where This is a change this year that you should pay attention to.

00:24:47: Of course, I'm also thinking about Juergen Bose the director of The Book Fair who never wanted i think To be called the boss of the book fair but Who was its face and it was traveling world?

00:24:58: And Was there for so many years.

00:25:01: So what are these kind of like personal changes?

00:25:05: What we're feeling do they bring to You?

00:25:09: I mean, I'm sad.

00:25:10: I've worked with Jurgen for seventeen years.

00:25:12: so as the publicist of the book fair yeah The US publicists.

00:25:18: So i'm sad to see him go because he's just great to work With.

00:25:25: He has fun and ideas helped the book fair transition through a number of phases that the industry has gone through.

00:25:37: He's navigated through COVID when it thought, oh are we ever gonna be back in person again?

00:25:43: So I think he had really solid run and this role.

00:25:49: so its sad to see him go but i think you know, into what it is today and he's happy to pass it off to Joe Kaufman who will be taking over as director at the end of year I believe.

00:26:08: Well, I know yes.

00:26:10: In some ways...I don't know him well but i knew of him because he grew up in a publishing family and his family started to publisher long time ago.

00:26:20: so part is DNA.

00:26:23: He's most recently been the CEO of a big German publisher Carlson Verlag So he knows But has also been a part of IPA The International Publishers Association.

00:26:36: He's from within, but he also has an eye to the world which I think is really great.

00:26:41: And Andrew Albanese who was editor of Publishing Perspectives will be interviewing him on stage in Frankfurt Friday.

00:26:47: So that would kind his moment to lay out a vision for the fair maybe?

00:26:52: Not!

00:26:52: I think hes gonna focus just what he sees as future publishing.

00:26:56: I'm not sure...I think hes coming into this year book fair.

00:27:03: Now he's inside learning the game of baseball because it is different when you're coming either as an attendee, a young person or publisher who is exhibiting.

00:27:17: Those are two different ways of looking at the book fair, but being inside it's a different ball of wax.

00:27:21: So we'll see

00:27:22: interesting.

00:27:23: well I'm definitely gonna listen and It's great to you know.

00:27:27: You said in the beginning that you embrace change That this is also an exciting change And a change that seems to be?

00:27:35: Yes ended from all kinds Of corners.

00:27:37: yes industry

00:27:39: i hope so.

00:27:40: what are your hosting This year.

00:27:42: Oh boy, I'm hosting a lot of things.

00:27:46: Can you even count?

00:27:47: Yes yes!

00:27:49: Well i am doing our podcast every morning Wednesday Thursday

00:27:53: and Friday

00:27:53: with coffee.

00:27:55: we're doing our podcasts everyday.

00:27:58: We have two sessions on the dialogue stage for The Publishing Perspectives Forum.

00:28:05: so will be talking about some audiobooks issue, but the larger Point of audio audio platforms and streaming services going into these smaller markets, which I previously mentioned.

00:28:20: So that'll be interesting to talk to people from those markets or there's areas of audiobook publishing To see you know what they think of the larger impact.

00:28:29: We're also launching something with publishers without borders Which?

00:28:33: I'll share a little bit more on in the future

00:28:36: community.

00:28:37: Yes building Community on the library market.

00:28:46: So e-books and libraries have been, there've been some stories in some surveys and reports in

00:28:54: U.S.,

00:28:54: talking about how library e- books are sort of cannibalizing on book sales which we would dispute.

00:29:04: so they're gonna dig into... There is some controversy sort of the larger e-book market for libraries.

00:29:17: So it will be tackling that, so yeah.

00:29:19: Fascinating when I hear libraries in

00:29:20: U.S.,

00:29:21: I'm always like oh my God this must not a good story.

00:29:24: but there's is thriving library country and its often maybe underestimated little bit how powerful libraries are.

00:29:34: on this continent

00:29:35: There're more libraries than United States then Starbucks.

00:29:39: That's good news.

00:29:44: Yes, yeah.

00:29:45: And from traveling the country with family I can say many of them are fantastic.

00:29:49: even in the smallest towns and villages You might run into a library end librarians.

00:29:57: that are just amazing.

00:29:59: They're so focused on you as a reader and maybe have parent or on the kids.

00:30:05: So we've had Run-ins or we're just like.

00:30:08: this is an amazing place.

00:30:09: We were like, you could live here.

00:30:11: Oh good

00:30:11: so I. yeah i'm really fond of the libraries Here and off course.

00:30:14: also You know everywhere they are being held And sometimes fought over.

00:30:19: yes So I love that you did?

00:30:21: You dive into that.

00:30:22: and there's another thing That's Really a think you know, close to my heart which is like how is the next generation coming into this whole industry?

00:30:31: We hosted The Hof here live in New York City a while ago and we had the same topic.

00:30:36: And what I learned about New York city is... Which maybe not so surprising but it's not easy to start into this industry here and Live right in the city at the same time because salaries entry salaries are so tricky and so low So hard also just too to get a job in the industry these days, after COVID especially because a lot of the publishers are also not in their offices where they used to be.

00:31:02: So we're hosting The Hof hybrid.

00:31:05: that means you can participate online or you can be there sitting in front of the stage and were going talk about who gets it?

00:31:13: And who doesn't when he comes into publishing industry.

00:31:16: Do you have an opinion on this?

00:31:17: Like, I know that you've helped many people in the past and also helped many positions into publishing industry.

00:31:25: And it's not only a gender debate but also... Many organizations of publishing are run by women as far as I understand and led by men.

00:31:32: So what is your kind when i would put you on stage at that conversation say Aaron whats your take?

00:31:38: Well, I think it's really hard for young people to get into the industry.

00:31:44: I was telling somebody my publishing how I got in a publishing story and I said that showed up to New York had two interviews And then I got another interview by day three ahead of job.

00:31:55: Wow what nice?

00:31:56: It I know but that was nineteen ninety nine.

00:31:58: So now is totally different year.

00:32:00: Now there are many more people who were aware of publishing.

00:32:03: their more publishing programs will post a job and there'll be five hundred submissions for that job.

00:32:11: So it's incredibly difficult to get jobs in publishing, and its incredibly difficult if you don't know anybody all these other things.

00:32:20: so the challenge of getting an understanding what we set apart I think is incredibly difficult for young people.

00:32:36: you know, as you mentioned sort of women in publishing.

00:32:38: That's that is we still have a problem globally.

00:32:42: I'd like to say We've solved this problem the United States.

00:32:45: but even in The United States it's-we Still struggle with...the people at the top tend To be men and And Even though You Know Women are doing A lot Of work or might Have senior roles Or things Like that There's there's a lack perhaps welcoming or providing space, or a pathway for women to take some of those larger roles.

00:33:07: So I know that's something the UN and IPA and Publisher and other organizations are really focused on.

00:33:16: I know Frank Frida-Bookmesse is doing an event Thursday.

00:33:21: very much talk about this publisher.

00:33:22: Her has workshops and mentorship programs to sort help with it but its still sort of dealt with globally and that's a challenge.

00:33:33: I wonder what you tell your students because, y'know...I can at least say this year if you can't afford to go to Frankfurt or you could atleast tune into the Hof and be part of The Conversation online.

00:33:41: but what do you tell all your students who are sitting in front of view different programs?

00:33:47: Yeah it is hard!

00:33:48: As somebody who has hired people for this industry, I can say what sets you apart is your eagerness and your passion.

00:33:58: For the work that we do.

00:34:00: That's something that i think We as an Industry sometimes struggle with it.

00:34:07: People come in With a lot of Passion And then we turn them out again.

00:34:12: So we want to know that Somebody didn't just wake up one day And Say I wanna Work In Publishing Come In And Go Like Ooh!

00:34:18: I don't Know About This.

00:34:20: You know what you're talking about.

00:34:21: You've figured out what the industry is about, you know... What your role could be even if it might change over time?

00:34:28: You might say like oh I came in and marketing but now really want to work on sub rights or something like that.

00:34:33: But have that sort of larger idea Of what The industry isn't what your career Could Be And show That you are willing To Spend time in the industry

00:34:46: and we will.

00:34:47: I won't let you off to hook there.

00:34:48: I think it'll host one of our podcasts from The Fair, and also tackle this One thing that I see in journalism is at the playing field as much flatter than It used to be.

00:34:57: so if you have a good idea for media venture You could really start today.

00:35:02: setting up finding first subscribers leaving even maybe paying Subscribers or finding some sort of business model has also gotten A lot easier.

00:35:11: he can try out a Lot Of things through that build experience totally like just on your own or with help of friends and you don't have to be part thing to have in our days.

00:35:26: Absolutely, and that's something I often will say people look at.

00:35:31: so i teach the marketing week of The Denver Publishing Institute And I always say how many people...I come the third week and first two weeks are editorial.

00:35:38: So I would say How Many People Came In Wanting To Be Editors And Almost The Entire Room Raises Their Hand.

00:35:43: Okay..How Many People For Marketing?

00:35:44: Like Three People I'm like.

00:35:46: okay im gonna see how many can turn you over the course Of The Week And I think it just.

00:35:50: we know these small things Over the week.

00:35:54: Well, it's not just marketing.

00:35:55: It's also publicity.

00:35:56: It is digital marketing and sub-rights as well as library marketing.

00:36:00: They're all the sales storytelling that deals with this.

00:36:07: one problem in publishing you can tackle creating a book club where people go to local bar read together.

00:36:16: there are lots of things Adjacent to the industry that young people could be doing too.

00:36:23: You know further all of this or Be a part of the industry and so I think as you said it

00:36:28: doesn't even have to feel like your part Of It yeah, to be in it

00:36:31: exactly.

00:36:32: last question Aaron Your Number one book fair hack.

00:36:38: i put This down And i know That at some point when i met you In frankford you had was it dried broccoli.

00:36:47: sure was

00:36:49: to this day.

00:36:49: I don't know why, but it must have helped you.

00:36:52: so what is your magic?

00:36:54: Potent that you have this year to finish the marathon

00:36:58: of?

00:36:58: I want to explain for the listeners who are viewers Who have not heard me talk about?

00:37:04: This it was when It was really hard To find green vegetables at the messa and so i brought them as a way, too.

00:37:10: Have some greens over the course.

00:37:12: The week they tasted terrible And nobody ate them but i ate them and i felt better.

00:37:16: now You can get a salad okay So that's good.

00:37:19: um i think right Now i would say sort of patience kindness, respect for each other.

00:37:27: I think the world is really polarized.

00:37:29: right now There's a lot going on, there are a lot of challenges to our industry with AI.

00:37:37: With decline in readership all these other things so I think we're spread really thin were tapped out little bit.

00:37:45: So being able bring an extra reserve and remember that We're all the same team trying get books for readers wherever they.

00:37:57: you know, let's work together and try to further that goal.

00:38:00: So instead of yelling at someone For any gathering, but especially for Frank for the bookmasters here Aaron.

00:38:18: Thank you so much.

00:38:18: I look forward to our morning shows and too anything You do there?

00:38:23: And To be taking a bath in this In this wonderful community of people that are so excited about what they're doing and i always feel like A lot Of them Are just in it for The right reasons and It's it's a great Gathering to Be with Them.

00:38:37: i'm super Excited to What we're going to learn and thank you all for you know, being a part of this New York City version on the books.

00:38:46: I'm Felix Elmer.

00:38:47: And

00:38:49: we hope that y'all tune in live when it's time for The Fair and the Publishing Perspectives YouTube channel is off

00:38:58: course

00:38:58: to place where were going.

00:38:59: streamed live wherever.

00:39:02: get your podcasts.

00:39:11: This was On The Books.

00:39:13: Thank you so

00:39:13: much for listening!