Liverpool road show links libraries and children’s publishers

The Reading Agency held its latest ‘road show’ event for publishers of children’s books, librarians and writers on 14 November 2013 at Liverpool Central Library, providing a unique forum to build relationships for running exciting events, promotions and projects for young readers.

                                                         

Networking with a sell-out number of librarians from the North West of England and North Wales, author attendees included Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom (published by Frances Lincoln) who are launching their new book on The Beatles in January. They were joined by Holly Webb (published by Little Tiger) who talked about her new book The Reindeer Girl; Steve Hartley – author of the popular Oliver Fibbs series (Macmillan Children’s Books ); Sharon Jones, whose debut novel  Dead Jealous won the Undiscovered Voices 2012 prize and who presented her latest work Dead Silent, together with Hot Key debut author Cas Lester.

Other attending publishers included Faber, Nosy Crow and Barrington Stoke.

Each publisher gave a presentation about their latest children’s titles, and there were displays and giveaways, plus ‘speed-meeting’ between libraries and publishers. The event was sponsored by Bertram Library Services, with Liverpool City Council playing host. John Keane, divisional manager of Liverpool Libraries welcomed attendees to the Central Library, and his staff took them on guided tours. 300,000 people have visited the library since it re-opened in May.

Heather Pitman of Lancashire Libraries told attendees about their current, county-wide ‘Big Read’ of The Spook’s Apprentice, which is set in Lancashire and written by local author Joseph Delaney. Organised in partnership with The Reading Agency and publishers Random House, 1,000 copies of the book are being given away in public libraries to encourage as many county residents as possible to read, review and join in conversations about the book, culminating in a screening of the film version of the book. 

Heather Pitman commented: "I haven't been to one of these road shows before and I found it really interesting and useful. I'd definitely recommend people to come along to the next one."

Independent charity The Reading Agency began its programme of road shows in 2008, to give publishers the opportunity to promote new titles directly to librarians, build new library contacts and support librarians to promote lesser known titles to their readers. Librarians get the chance to learn about new authors and new titles, make publisher contacts and meet and talk directly to children's authors.

"We were delighted to come to the North West and Liverpool's spectacular Central Library for this road show and this fabulous line up of publishers and authors. The road shows are always useful and stimulating events, a really practical chance for attending librarians and publishers to find out what each other are up to,” says Andrea Reece, who co-ordinates The Reading Agency’s work with children’s book publishers and libraries.