PVLF 2025

London Book Fair 2025 Tackles AI and Youth Readership Crisis

LBF 2025 tackles AI in publishing and youth readership decline, with top speakers, expanded rights trading, and a booming audiobook market.
on Feb 24, 2025

The publishing industry gathers to discuss AI integration and youth readership issues amidst robust international rights trading.

The London Book Fair (LBF), back at Olympia London from March 11-13, 2025, will be the biggest English-language publishing trade show since the pre-pandemic era, with more than 30,000 visitors and 845 exhibitors anticipated. With new director Adam Ridgway at the helm, the fair is putting particular focus on the influence of artificial intelligence on publishing and plans to tackle dwindling youth readership.

Key Themes and Programming: The 2025 fair focuses on two key industry challenges – integrating AI technology and the necessity of developing young readers in a time of falling literacy rates.

Top industry leaders such as Maria Pallante (Association of American Publishers) and Dan Conway (Publishers Association UK) will speak about AI and copyright policy trends

A new programming block dedicated to youth reading features authors Will Rayfet Hunter and Taylor-Dior Rumble discussing strategies to engage the next generation of readers

The fair introduces its first three-day academic publishing conference focusing on sustainability, business models, and AI’s impact on scholarly publishing

Notable Expansions: Growing demand has led to significant expansion of key fair components.

The "audio alley" has grown into a larger "audio village" to represent the worldwide audiobook boom

The International Rights Center expanded by 10% to fit almost 550 tables

A new Chinese pavilion with 19 companies represents enhanced international participation

Featured Speakers and Events: The fair has arranged a strong lineup of industry players and creative voices.

Hachette CEO David Shelley and Barnes & Noble/Waterstones CEO James Daunt will present a keynote on running transatlantic businesses

Authors of the Day are Monica Ali, Claudia Piñeiro, and Frank Cottrell-Boyce

Comics artist Jamie Smart was announced as the first-ever Creative of the Fair

A series of awards will be handed out, including the Lifetime Achievement Award to Gloria Bailey

Logistical Factors: The ongoing redevelopment of Olympia London remains to affect the operations of the fair.

Organizers have upgraded catering amenities and increased meeting space based on past comments

The venue is likely to get back to full capacity in 2027, when the market focus country program returns

Strong international attendance is anticipated from the US, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, and other countries

Looking Ahead to 2025: The fair's focus on AI integration and young readership indicates a publishing industry keenly busy responding to technological change while maintaining its core function in supporting literacy and storytelling.

The growth in rights trading and audio material hints at a thriving international publishing environment

But the industry continues to struggle to connect with younger readers who increasingly read through non-traditional paths

The increasing emphasis on AI indicates publishing is on the cusp of a revolutionary era that will necessitate sensitive handling of opportunities as well as challenges.

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