The winners of The London Book Fair
International Book Industry Excellence Awards, in association with The
Publishers Association, have been announced at a prestigious Awards ceremony
held on the first day of The London Book Fair.
The Awards provide recognition from the
UK for the best companies and individuals from across the international
publishing industry, as such UK companies are not eligible for the majority of
categories.
The line-up of winners was truly global
with Belorussia, Pakistan, India, Denmark, Australia, Malaysia, the US and
China all coming up trumps.
The US publishing industry led the pack
with three winners including the University of Chicago Press in the Academic
and Professional category, The Best Translated Book Award won in Literary
Translation Initiatives category and Robert Kirkman who created Walking Dead
won for the best use of IP. The evening saw a real coup for Fixi, the Malaysian
publisher, who picked up The Bookseller International Adult Trade Publisher
Award despite having set up only three years ago. They have gained a great reputation
at breakneck speed including snapping up huge authors for their translation
list.
Jacks Thomas, Director, The London Book
Fair, said: “In the course of our preparation for The London Book Fair, my team
and I are lucky enough to meet so many inspirational individuals and learn
about fascinating initiatives from publishing companies around the world. So
it’s wonderful to be able to celebrate the best international talent at our
Awards. From new companies like Fixi in Malaysia to publishing stalwarts like
renowned Danish agent, Anneli Høier, the winners tonight provide a fascinating
showcase for international publishing.”
Richard Mollet, Chief Executive, The UK
Publishers Association, said: “The London Book Fair is the perfect location to
celebrate the achievements of international publishing and the range of talent
on display across the industry. Around the world, publishers are innovating and
developing new ideas of how and what publishing could and will look like in the
future and these awards are a great opportunity to demonstrate our success as
an industry.”
Cortina Butler, Director Literature,
British Council, said: “We are delighted that the winning organisations and
individuals in this inaugural awards demonstrate the exciting creative
entrepreneurship in today’s international publishing industry and the
continuing impact of The London Book Fair Market Focus programme.”