BolognaBookPlus Events

Award-winning Ukrainian book design meets European illustration in a conversation on visual storytelling across cinema, literature, and contemporary book culture.

Literary Agents are at the core of the industry, yet it is not clear how to become one, nor the full range of activities that agents can carry out. Hear more about the role of the agent, and some tips on getting started.

The 2026 Talking Pictures Award celebrates Norway's visual book excellence. A dedicated jury selected winners for their creative innovation and outstanding visual impact.

La meraviglia di scoprire la bellezza della Natura e il prepotente desiderio di proteggerla: può un albo illustrato contenere tutto questo?

Explore the intersection of editorial illustration and poster design, learning how to "distill" an image for maximum visual impact without losing the raw, expressive energy of the hand-drawn mark.

Bestseller Awards Italia! A seminar that launches the 2027 NielsenIQ BookData Bestseller Awards, in Italy, in partnership with BolognaBookPlus. These prestigious awards come to Italy, bringing the well-known data-driven awards to one of Europe’s most important publishing markets. Join us to find out more and to toast the success of the Italian book industry.

L’autopubblicazione non è solo una scelta tecnica, ma un vero progetto editoriale. In questo workshop Nike Ror, tra le autrici più lette nel romance su Amazon KDP, condividerà la propria esperienza diretta: dalla costruzione di una serie alla gestione delle uscite, dall’ottimizzazione di metadati e categorie alle strategie promozionali che aiutano a consolidare una community di lettrici. Un incontro concreto, dal punto di vista di chi scrive e vende, per capire come trasformare la pubblicazione in self in un percorso professionale strutturato e sostenibile.

Il Nido e la Scuola dell’infanzia comunali Salvador Allende a Reggio Emilia hanno “il cuore di fuori”: un cuore vitale, mutevole, che ossigena gli sguardi di bambini e adulti. È il loro Parco, un’area verde che è qualcosa di più di un semplice luogo, bensì qualcosa che assomiglia a una pluralità di mondi, strettamente intrecciata al proliferare della vita e del tempo, del nostro crescere e del nostro apprendere, che è vita e tempo.

Questa novità editoriale racconta il parco attraverso parole, fotografie, disegni e opere delle bambine e dei bambini che negli anni, insieme a educatori e genitori, ne hanno vissuto da protagonisti le trasformazioni, dando respiro a un dialogo quotidiano con la natura, le sue istanze, la sua progettualità. Il volume nasce dal desiderio di promuovere sguardi e idee innovative con cui ripensare la progettazione delle aree verdi scolastiche, rendendo possibili pratiche educative eco-sostenibili, animate da un rapporto etico ed estetico con la natura che non possiamo più permetterci di rimandare. 

Accessible fixed-layout e-books are an emerging frontier in inclusive digital publishing. This event will explore the opportunities and challenges faced by publishers working with complex-layout books—such as illustrated titles, children’s books, educational materials, and other richly formatted publications. The session, by Fondazione LIA, will offer participants insights into the ongoing work aimed at enabling publishers to create accessible fixed-layout EPUBs, as well as guidance on how to leverage their accessibility features during reading, in line with the requirements and recommendations of EPUB Accessibility 1.1.

Join us for a guided tour of the Society of Illustrators Annual Book Award exhibition, featuring winning works from the past five years and insights into the competition and innovation in publishing.

Only for Italian illustrators and graphic designers

Is it better to self-publish or work with a traditional publisher? What are the real advantages, risks and responsibilities of each path? A direct comparison of different publishing models to help authors navigate rights, distribution, marketing, investment and creative freedom — and make an informed, strategic decision.

As Indian storytelling finds a growing audience across global markets, the session will explore the rising international appetite for Indian narratives. It will highlight key genres gaining traction, unpack what global editors and publishers are actively seeking from India, and share market-led insights from leading Indian publishers. The discussion aims to decode emerging trends, opportunities, and pathways for Indian content to travel, translate, and succeed worldwide.

Marking the centenary of Agatha Christie’s passing, this talk explores her literary success from an editorial perspective alongside the visual design of her book covers, exploring the intertwined threads that keep the Queen of Crime a timeless icon.

There has been an increase in translated book titles from the region in the last few years as curiosity has been aroused towards Bulgarian authors... More and more Bulgarian titles reveal authentic voices that discuss modern topics like domestic violence, life right after the end of the Cold War, feminist issues or global warming.

Come si cattura davvero l’attenzione di un agente? In questo incontro un agente letterario spiegherà cosa rende un manoscritto interessante, come costruire una proposta efficace e quali errori evitare nella fase di invio. Un’occasione per capire dall’interno le dinamiche dell’agenzia, i criteri di selezione e il percorso che può portare dalla proposta alla pubblicazione.

Join us for a guided tour of the Society of Illustrators Annual Book Award exhibition, featuring winning works from the past five years and insights into the competition and innovation in publishing.

This seminar explores the "renaissance" of poetry in the digital age, specifically focusing on the cross-cultural exchange between the Chinese and European markets. With a panel of international publishers and cultural strategists, we will examine how poetry transcends linguistic boundaries and what "international appeal" looks like in 2026.

Artificial intelligence already relies on editorial content to generate answers and new texts — but what does this mean for authors? This session explores how writers can protect their rights in the AI economy and turn the use of their works into new revenue opportunities. It will introduce Amlet, a platform that helps creators track and manage the use of their content within AI systems, ensuring control, transparency, and fair compensation.

Una chiacchierata sugli albi illustrati scelti dagli editori esteri: analisi dei casi di successo.

Author Ambassador Rafał Kosik, in conversation with Natasha Poliszczuk.

Grazie a un’ampia rete di professionisti, La bottega dei traduttori affianca editori e autori lungo tutto il percorso editoriale, offrendo servizi su misura quali scouting, valutazioni, traduzioni, revisioni, editing, curatele e supporto alla promozione. Ogni progetto è seguito con cura, garantendo qualità elevata. Durante l’incontro saranno presentati i servizi messi a disposizione di editori e autori e il metodo di lavoro: un’occasione per conoscere da vicino un approccio fondato sul dialogo costante, cura dei dettagli e attenzione alle tempistiche, con l’obiettivo di garantire qualità, continuità e valorizzazione di ogni progetto editoriale.

Join us for a guided tour of the Society of Illustrators Annual Book Award exhibition, featuring winning works from the past five years and insights into the competition and innovation in publishing.

Today, the ability to fully leverage proprietary content has become a strategic priority. Print and digital integration is no longer a technical choice, but a key editorial decision that can strengthen sustainability and long-term competitiveness. Multiformat publishing allows publishers to extend the lifecycle of their content, reduce duplication of work, and optimise investments already made in their catalogues. At the same time, digital content can enhance the value of print books through updates, supplementary materials, multimedia elements, and new forms of reader engagement, without undermining the central role of the book.

Contemporary Eastern European literature has aroused palpable interest in the last few years. The market saw a wave of titles from the region translated to “big” languages. It’s encouraging to observe also the regional exchange of titles--neighbouring countries have seen more translated local books hitting the shelves recently than in the past 3 decades. Are there any specific mechanisms behind this? Is it important to base strategies on awards, grants, exchange programs or newly emerged and more enthusiastic literary translators.

The connections between the publisher, the illustrator, and The World of DOT studio—from the initial brief to the collaborative exchange that transforms a book’s text into its cover.

A reflection on the book as a crafted design object, where paper plays a defining role—not just as a container of creativity but as content itself—starting from the presentation of Best of Publishing, Fedrigoni’s tool for choosing the right paper for editorial projects.

Introducing Zig Zag Festival: a program celebrating "graphic alliances" between Italy and the US, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

This session explores how books, authors, translation, and publishing ecosystems contribute to soft power and cultural diplomacy beyond traditional political and institutional channels. Bringing together perspectives from publishers, cultural institutions, and international practitioners, the discussion will examine how publishing supports cross-cultural understanding, promotes diverse voices, and strengthens global cultural exchange. It will also consider the role of international book fairs, translation initiatives, and rights markets in enabling cultural outreach and long-term collaboration.

During this workshop on illustration and graphic journalism, participants will develop an editorial cover by transforming real events into a powerful visual concept.

Since 1995, Reggio Children gives voice to the children of Reggio Emilia’s different knowledge, expressive languages, thoughts and ‘wonder of learning’, through publications and exhibitions translated into 27 languages, also promoting the determining role of education and public schooling in contemporary society.

Join us for a guided tour of the Society of Illustrators Annual Book Award exhibition, featuring winning works from the past five years and insights into the competition and innovation in publishing.

New markets and mature markets have different ears and different needs. This international panel juxtaposes actors and AI directly and addresses, the creative aims vs the need for speed and availability.

Award ceremony of the international recognition dedicated to the best cover of a self-published children’s or young adult book. An award celebrating the creative and strategic role of the self-publishing author, highlighting the book cover as a powerful space of visual storytelling and editorial positioning.