Press photo selection available to download here

All photos available to download here

LONDON, 12 March 2026: The London Book Fair, the largest spring gathering of the international books industry, welcomed publishing professionals from across the globe back to Olympia today for the final day of programming and its final chapter at Olympia. The third day brought together authors, academic publishers, industry leaders and aspiring publishing professionals for discussions on the future of the industry. This year’s Fair welcomed 1,005 exhibitors and over 33,000 visitors.

The International Rights Centre saw many an exciting deal take place, including deals for books by the likes of Idris Elba, Mike Gayle, and Mishal Husain, among others [see details below].

Emma Lowe, Director of The London Book Fair, said: “The final day of The London Book Fair has been a wonderful celebration of the people and ideas that will shape the future of publishing. From conversations about building sustainable research systems to inspiring sessions with authors and industry leaders, today’s programme highlighted the importance of nurturing the next generation of publishing professionals. Events focused on careers in publishing and initiatives connecting students with industry volunteers reflect the Fair’s commitment to supporting those looking to enter the sector and culminated in the Trailblazer Awards. It’s been an incredibly successful few days here at Olympia and we’re proud to have brought together the global publishing community once again. Today is also a bittersweet occasion as we’re also saying goodbye, which has been a wonderful venue for many years. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back for the next chapter of the Fair.” 

From left to right: Rt Hon Ian Murray MP; AF Steadman, Author of the Day; Jill Luber, CTO Elsevier - Academic Conference

Highlights from Day Three of The London Book Fair (Thurs 12 March): 

Academic publishing took centre stage as Monica Westin from Cambridge University Press explored developments in scholarly publishing and research communication, highlighting the evolving role of academic publishers in supporting global research communities and ensuring the sustainability of scholarly knowledge.

On the Main Stage, a keynote session on “Designing a Sustainable Research System” with Jill Luber, Chief Technology Officer of Elsevier brought together industry experts to examine how publishers, institutions and policymakers can work together to create more resilient and sustainable models for academic research and dissemination.

Author A.F. Steadman, creator of the bestselling Skandar series, appeared alongside Minister of State for Media, Tourism and the Creative Industries, The Rt Hon Ian Murray in conversation with Hannah Bull from The Alligator’s Mouth bookshop. The two discussed storytelling, creativity and the role of books within the UK’s wider creative industries. 

At Author HQ, sessions included a conversation exploring the world of non-fiction publishing, which offered insight into how nonfiction writers shape ideas and influence public debate, a discussion around protecting Authors Rights in the age of AI entitled “Mission Impossible? Protecting Authors Rights in the age of AI”, and “Publishing Pathways”, which explored the numerous routes authors can take to publication. 

A Main Stage panel, “Trailblazers: How to Get into Publishing”, brought together industry professionals to share advice with aspiring publishers and highlight the many pathways into the industry, offering practical guidance for students and early career professionals, featuring the winners of the Trailblazer Awards 2026.

The National Literacy Trust hosted a special event connecting publishing volunteers with students interested in careers in publishing, giving young people the opportunity to learn directly from industry professionals and explore the many roles available across the sector.

• Ends     -

For further information, please contact Tom Neilson and Madison Sotos at Midas:

tom.neilson@midas-group.com / madison.sotos@midas-group.com / +44 (0)20 7361 7860 

Notes to editors:  

LBF 2026 TOP DEALS

Day One Deals

• Hodder & Stoughton has acquired three new historical thrillers from global bestselling author Conn Iggulden.
• Batsford has signed Tiny Animal Kingdom, the new colouring book from best-seller Millie Marotta.
• Simon & Schuster (S&S) has scooped Amy Barry’s four-book series, beginning with a dual timeline novel, with rights selling into 22 territories.
• Sphere has bought journalist Moya Lothian-McLean’s debut “sharp, sexy romantic comedy” Matchmakers from Monica MacSwain at Aitken Alexander.
• Zaffre has won Nick Brucker’s Vatican-set heist novel White Smoke in six-figure deal within a seven-publisher auction.
• Penguin Michael Joseph (PMJ) has bought world English rights to Dr Federica Amati’s The Appetite Reset: How to Eat, Drink and Thrive Before, During and After GLP-1s.
• The Miniaturist author Jessie Burton moves to Phoenix in two-book deal.
• Transworld has leapt for Manifesting Love, the latest book from “manifesting queen”, self-development coach, inspirational speaker and podcaster Roxie Nafousi on how to choose the right partner.
• Doubleday editorial director Bobby Mostyn-Owen has acquired Nick Bradley’s “big-hearted” third novel The Second Life of Professor Takahashi.
• Oxford Children’s has signed Scaredy Cat, the first picture book from the author of the bestselling Marv stories, Alex Falase-Koya, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max.
• Bluebird and One Boat publisher Lizzy Gray and editorial director Martha Burley won in an 11-way auction for the rights to nutritionist and social media star Dr Emily Prpa’s debut book, Eat Like a Woman: Nutrition Your Body Needs, Based on Science You Can Trust.
• BBC MasterChef: The Professionals judge Monica Galetti will move to Pavilion for Gathering, her vibrant celebration of the flavours that have shaped her life.
• Macmillan and indie Bedford Square Publishers have scored the rights to Games of My Life, Alex Ferguson’s first autobiography in 13 years.
• Faber has acquired the second novel in David Peace’s planned Manchester United-themed Munich trilogy, Strangeways.
• Donna Ashworth, the UK’s bestselling poet of the 2020s, is to write her first collection featuring prose in a title won by Hay House at auction in a “multi-six-figure” deal.
• Canelo imprint August Books has snagged ITV News UK editor Paul Brand’s assisted dying book Fight to the Death.

Day Two Deals

• William Collins has landed a memoir from Hollywood super-agent Ari Emmanuel, CEO of WME parent TKO Group Holdings.
• Idris Elba is to author three thrillers with novelist and screenwriter Adam Handy, with Simon & Schuster bagging UK rights.
• Wildfire editorial director Rachel Hart has acquired world all-language rights, including film and TV, to Two Truths and a Lie by Chris Bridges, from Hannah Schofield at LBA.
• The debut children’s book by broadcaster and author Mishal Husain is set to be published by DK’s Children’s.
• Faber has acquired Joan Barfoot’s novel Gaining Ground, originally published in 1978.
• Bonnier Books UK imprint Manilla Press has pre-empted Rebecca Hooper’s “absorbing, unsettling” debut.
• HQ has acquired “the world’s first middle-age body-swap romcom” in the debut joint outing by bestseller Mike Gayle – who, along with Jo Nesbo, Is one of today’s (11^th April) London Book Fair Authors of the Day – and his wife Claire.
• Ken Follet has signed another global English-language rights deal with Hachette UK and Hachette Book Group for his next novel, The Deep and Secret Things.
• Penguin Michael Joseph (PMJ) has pre-empted Lou Morgan’s “love letter to storytelling” For All This Time, her first adult romance.
• Pan Macmillan is set to publish the story of designer Paul Smith’s life, co-written with journalist and author Richard Williams.
• Weidenfeld & Nicolson has captured one of the year’s hottest books in translation, acquiring Maria Niskavaara’s award-winning novel about “meat, reproduction and mortality” in an 11-publisher auction.
• HarperVoyager has signed a “significant” six-figure pre-empt for three new books from Nibbles winner Saara El-Arifi.
• Picador has bought Niamh Mulvey’s Patricia Highsmith-inspired “extraordinary” novel, described as “not a whodunnit, or a howdunnit, but a whydunit and a who-knows-whodunnit”.

Day Three Deals

• Wildfire has acquired a “smart, funny and furious” account of how innovative women have been removed from history, by award-winning comedian Ria Lina. Consultant editor Lindsay Davies acquired world all-language rights in How to Erase a Woman: The Women Who Did the Work. The Men Who Get the Credit in a deal with Rowan Lawton at The Soho Agency on behalf of Cristian Knowles at Blue Book Artist Management.
• David Fickling Books (DFB) has inked two debut authors from its 2025 Search for a Storyteller open-submission competition. The winner, When the Birds Wake Up by Jessica Mary Ellis, illustrated by Sophie Burrows, is a “powerful” verse novel about 10-year-old Pear as she navigates her grandmother’s Alzheimer’s, a new school and an unexpected friendship. Runner-up A Scrap of Moss and Magick by Helen Parry is a “richly imagined, Gothic-tinged” middle-grade fantasy in which servant girl Thirza must confront a world of spells and darker forces.
• Joël Dicker has hired WME as his agents, the first time The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair author has had literary representation.
• HarperVoyager has acquired two new adult fantasy novels for seven figures from its bestselling and critically acclaimed author Shannon Chakraborty in a world all-language two-book deal.
• Batsford is set to publish artist and “home-styling sensation” Java Bere’s first book. Newman acquired world all-language rights to Your Space, Your Story from Nemonie Craven at Jonathan Clowes.
• Bluebird associate publisher Jodie Lancet-Grant has acquired world rights to The Seven Rules of Highly Destructive People: How to Leave Bad Habits Behind and Build a Truly Happy Life by writer and content creator Abi Feltham.
• Sceptre and Hodder Fiction publisher-at-large Federico Andornino has acquired UK and Commonwealth (excluding Canada) rights to Public Access Afterworld by writer and film-maker Jane Schoenbrun in an overnight pre-empty, with the debut “queer opus” also sold into multiple other territories.
• Summit Books UK has acquired Every Exit Brings You Home, the “deeply moving” novel by Palestinian-Irish writer and Booker longlistee Naeem Murr.
• John Murray has snapped up Stephanie Bain’s “Restoration dramedy” Wits following a 10-way auction. Executive publisher Jocasta Hamilton acquired UK and Commonwealth rights for two novels by Bain from Clare Convill at C&W for a “strong” six figures.
• Hodderscape has acquired two “sweeping fantasy” novels from award-winning Young Adult author Anna Sei Lin in a “hotly confused” five-way auction.
• Hay House has triumphed in a “competitive auction” for the latest title from alcohol and mental health campaigner, influencer and sober-curious movement advocate Millie Gooch.

About The London Book Fair (LBF)

The London Book Fair (LBF) is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels. The London Book Fair is a unique opportunity to explore, understand and capitalise on the innovations shaping the publishing world of the future. LBF brings you direct access to customers, content and emerging markets. The London Book Fair 2026 will take place 10-12 March 2026 at Olympia London. Find out more at www.londonbookfair.co.uk

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