Today's Read Team Insights from the London Book Fair 2025: Trends, Debuts, and Rights Deals
The London Book Fair 2025 proved to be a vibrant meeting ground for publishers and literary agents, reflecting an increased interest in solutions-based non-fiction alongside a notable rise in escapist fiction. Key figures in the publishing industry expressed optimism about the market dynamics while also raising concerns regarding international rights issues.
Trends in Non-Fiction and Escapist Fiction
Drummond Moir, Managing Director of Atlantic Books, highlighted a burgeoning demand among publishers for titles that offer practical solutions. “We are seeing a particular interest in solutions-based non-fiction… Romanian, Spanish, US pre-empts,” said Moir, expressing a sense of vibrancy at this year’s fair. His sentiment was echoed by other exhibitors who reported that American publishers were particularly active this year, often engaging in pre-empts for attractive titles.
The Growing American Interest
Juliet Mabey, publisher at Oneworld, noted a markedly busy atmosphere at this year’s fair compared to the previous year, largely driven by the participation of US editors. However, Vicki Willden-Lebrecht, CEO of The Bright Agency, raised concerns regarding potential American tariffs on books, which could pose challenges for the market.
Noteworthy Debuts and New Releases
A standout moment was the debut novel by Rachel Mills, founder of RML, which centers on a mysterious group committed to helping individuals experience their fantasies for a day. Her agent, Harriet Poland of CAA, revealed that “Kate Nintzel [vice-president and editorial director] pre-empted at a major level, as her first acquisition for Atria [US]. It’s going to be their lead release next summer.” This title has already generated significant interest both in the UK and internationally, including an ongoing auction in Germany.
Additionally, agent Clare Alexander announced that HarperCollins has pre-empted “Fly, Wild Swans,” a sequel to Jung Chang’s acclaimed 1991 book “Wild Swans,” while Aitken Alexander secured six translation deals by the fair’s second day.
Escapism in Literature
Rebecca Folland, director of group rights and audio at Hachette, noted a significant demand for escapism in reading, stating, “Everyone is looking for escapism and books to lose themselves in.” She highlighted excitement around titles like “The Sea Stone Sisters” by Eleanor Buchanan, which has attracted interest from seven countries, along with ongoing auctions for Gilly Macmillan’s thriller “The Burning Library.”
