The London Book Fair, Day 1
My first day at The London Book Fair is officially a wrap. As one might expect after the first day of visiting one of the worlds largest book fairs - I had to google it, LBF sits in 4th place in sheer size- I am utterly exhausted.
However, one detail trumps my swollen ankles and heavy head: the fact that I will get to go back for another two full days!
First things first
Every visitor is provided with a QR-code, but not for entrance. You need to scan that code at the door and get a printed piece of paper, which you can then use to get let in. It was quite the scene when me and everyone else stood and tried to fit the piece of paper into the thingy you carry around your neck for the remainder of the fair.
Second, the sheer size of the Olympia was breathtaking. I was in awe strolling the premises, taking it all in. I looked it up before posting this article and there are over 1,000 exhibitors showcasing this year. I don’t know how big percentage of the visitors at the LBF are here privately, but my impression from day 1 is that it is heavily geared towards business rather than pleasure.
I spent the morning checking out the different halls of the Olympia, before I headed to the Main Stage and my first session of the day, "How to survive and thrive in a post search world".
The talk was hosted by Searsha Sadek of Shimmr AI and she was joined by the author Jamie Bartlett and Sara Posner of Bonnier Books. The talk circled around how we can use AI to pump up visibility. For example, Sara Posner recommended publishers to let AI help out with metadata for backlist titles. The name of the game throughout the session seemed to be GEO and how it compares to the more commonly known SEO. Whilst on the subject of AI, I let my go-to agent Gemini explain the difference for us and here is the result:
"SEO optimizes websites to rank higher in traditional search engine results, while GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) focuses on getting content cited by AI models like Gemini or ChatGPT. While SEO relies on keywords and backlinks, GEO prioritizes authoritative citations.
Next up was a session that hit a little closer to home. Hosted by Nathan Hull of Beat Technology, with narrator Ray Porter, audio director Jo Tyabji, Lawrence Kendrick (Creative director at String and Tins), and Jodie Coles at W.F Howes Ltd.
The themes was "Audio as an experience" and it was a mixed conversaton. We got some different perspectives of producing on a budget, the process of and what goes into creating audiobooks and what sound effects and Dolby Atmos can do to heighten the experience.
An interesting take came from Ray Porter, expressing his dislike for the term “Premium audio”, when used to describe something other than a regular sole-narrator production. He said, and I might paraphrase a bit, “We create a divide when we say that something is better than another thing because of what is added afterwards”. On one note I totally agree - adding something to an already great production isn't necessarily the part that makes it premium.
Lastly - of course - I couldn't miss the interview of Bob Carrigan on Main stage. As many might know, Bob Carrigan is the CEO of Audible. You can’t stress enough the importance of learning from the best, and Bob sure fit that description. The most interesting part of the interview, for me at least, was the certainty he showcased that you can always turn up the volume. There will always be more audiobooks to produce and publish, we are merely scratching the surface compared to the number of printed books that are out there.
“Audiobooks are a gateway to people also reading more themselves”, referencing to studies they have carried out.
Bob also explained how they are looking to move into 11 new markets during 2026.
One of them being Sweden.
When asked on the matter of where AI narration - or Virtual Voices, as Audible brands them - might come to best use, he expressed that it will be for backlist titles. In the same breath he told us that 70% of the consumption on audible in fact are that of backlist titles.
The phrase that the future of AI voices are for "titles that wouldn’t have been made in any other way" is a phrase I have heard from many other people in the field, and it is apparent that Audible and Bob Carrigan shares that belief.
So, that concludes day 1 of London Book Fair.
And as this post goes live I am already off on new shenanigans that you will be able to read all about first thing tomorrow when my summary of day 2 is posted.
Until then,
Christopher Pålerud
Client Relationship Manager