My LBF Jenny Brown
My London Book Fair Jenny Brown
This is my 16th LBF and I’m again sharing space with fellow Scot- tish agents. Tunnock’s sponsored us one year and publishers happily plundered our supplies of Caramel Wafers and Teacakes. One very elegant senior French editor selected a Snowball, took one bite, got covered in coconut flakes and handed the gooey, sticky mess back to me. That meeting ended quickly.
I won’t be able to resist eavesdropping on Fiona Brownlee as she pitches Birlinn’s 101 Champagnes, a great book on the world’s best bubbly by wine expert and author Davy Zyw. He just happens to be my son.
At my first LBF, I took photos of publishers at the start of each meeting. Folk were a bit surprised, but it was a brilliant way of remembering who was who aſterwards.
Some books are joys to pitch. I am going to particularly love talking to people about Goblin by Ever Dundas, which is set in London during the Blitz and also during the 2010s—it won the Saltire First Book of the Year. I’ll also be spreading the word about Ian Garbut’s remarkable novel The Ghost Land.
Tartan Noir will take place in the Club Room, National Hall Gallery today at 4 p.m.
This year I’m taking a quick break from pitching, and I will be chair- ing a session about the rise and rise of Tartan Noir. We have two great Scotish writers in Denise Mina and Doug Johnstone, along with Saraband owner Sara Hunt, who has of course published some excellent books in this area.
My top tips for survival and having a successful fair? Don’t forget your phone charger. Bring hand gel, and some bananas to keep you going. And whatever you do, don’t rely on the wi-fi to work. And don’t worry: even if you knock back too many gins over the course of the day and night, you can still feel virtuous because your step count will be massive.
A highlight is always the Publishing Scotland whisky party, which is a chance to catch up with the organisation’s International Fellows. Otherwise, aſter-hours we’ll be toasting all the rights deals for Alison Belsham’s The Tattoo Thief with the bril- liant Trapeze team. My fair will end with a lunch to celebrate Joanna Hickson’s new book deal with editor Kate Bradley of HarperFiction.
sting all the rights deals for ith the bril-
with a lunch ok deal with
I have no patience with those who moan about the fair, and there are some who do. Three days spent with passionate people talking about books? Heaven!
moan about Three days ng about
t WORDS Tom Tivnan
www.thebookseller.com 15
Tunnock’s’ backing of Jenny Brown Associates at the fair came to a sticky end after a meeting with a French editor; now she’s fuelled by bananas instead
Jenny’s son Davy Zwy is hoping to attract attention at the fair with 101 Champagnes
Founder, Jenny Brown Associates
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
