I absolutely loved reading about your experience. It's my dream one day to visit (but it's a big commitment from Australia!) so this was a wonderful way to experience it from afar. Thanks for your generosity in sharing.
Great blog about the Bologna Book Fair, can't wait to take a visit, thank you so much for sharing, you are always so generous with your content. Would love it if you ever had time to go through the picture books you chose.
Ahh so good! All the ‘BIGs’ is such a good way to describe it all. So lovely to spend time with you there Ella! And loved revisiting it all in this post x
Ah I miss Bologna so much! I used to work in Rights for a children’s publisher so went every year - I miss the food, the books, the people and Italy (in no particular order). I haven’t been since becoming a children’s author so it’s lovely to hear this summery, thank you x
Loved this. I went last year, just as I was passing, so it was useful to be there with no expectations and just soak it up. I also had the bonus of having a book on the stands, which felt actually weird. I was also staying in Ferrara rather than Bologna, as it was much cheaper (beautiful place), and didn’t arrange to meet up with anyone or do portfolio reviews, so I only got maybe 30% of the atmosphere. Hoping to go next year, or maybe the year after, and do it ‘properly’.
Congratulations on seeing your books on the stands!
And I had no idea (I think - my memory can play tricks on me these days) that you were an AD and designer for so long. I work (freelance) in educational publishing, and have had a fulfilling 27 year career there, but now and then have a bit of a regret that I didn’t go down the children’s publishing route. It was really luck of the draw,I think. I did interview for a couple of children’s publishing positions very early on, but it was the educational publishing one I was offered, and I wanted to have a job to go straight to after uni. Do wonder, if I’d been less risk averse, and took my time with interviews, I might have had a whole different experience!
(Sorry, went off on a whole me, me, me tangent there! Great post.)
Don’t apologise! Always interesting to hear about other people! I totally relate to this - that’s kind of how I felt about getting caught up in my “career” for so long, and why it took me so long to have the courage to pursue my own dreams and leave my job. I’ve written about that quite a bit, but perhaps not for a while.
Congratulations on the book, is that as an illustrator or designer? Or editor? Did you say? I’ve had a few jobs in educational publishing (for kids). I worked for DK early in my career, and another Educational Publisher called Marshall Editions. Small world, eh ? X
A lovely description of the fair and all the complicated emotions (tears) it brings! I really enjoyed this Els and it makes me a little keener to go next year!! Xxx
I absolutely loved reading about your experience. It's my dream one day to visit (but it's a big commitment from Australia!) so this was a wonderful way to experience it from afar. Thanks for your generosity in sharing.
Oh wow! Yes, quite far from Australia!! So glad I could conjure it from afar for you!! X
Great blog about the Bologna Book Fair, can't wait to take a visit, thank you so much for sharing, you are always so generous with your content. Would love it if you ever had time to go through the picture books you chose.
Oh yes! Good reminder! I will do that 💛
Ahh so good! All the ‘BIGs’ is such a good way to describe it all. So lovely to spend time with you there Ella! And loved revisiting it all in this post x
Yes!! So lovely to see hang out with you there too! And so glad you enjoyed the post!! Xx
Ah I miss Bologna so much! I used to work in Rights for a children’s publisher so went every year - I miss the food, the books, the people and Italy (in no particular order). I haven’t been since becoming a children’s author so it’s lovely to hear this summery, thank you x
Ahh, congratulations on making the transition from Rights to author. How exciting!!
Yes, I always thought being in Rights looked fun (though tiring sometimes!). Lots of travel and experiences! X
It was fun (and definitely tiring), but not as much fun as making up children’s books and getting to share them with young readers at events x
That book looks amazing!!
I have never been in Bologna, and I am not prepared yet - do you feel prepared before go? - but someday maybe I'll be there <3
Hi Nicole! I never feel prepared!! 🤪😂 I reckon it’s good to go one year for a recce, and then you can figure out how to prepare for next time!
Thanks for the congratulations on the book! 🥰
Loved this. I went last year, just as I was passing, so it was useful to be there with no expectations and just soak it up. I also had the bonus of having a book on the stands, which felt actually weird. I was also staying in Ferrara rather than Bologna, as it was much cheaper (beautiful place), and didn’t arrange to meet up with anyone or do portfolio reviews, so I only got maybe 30% of the atmosphere. Hoping to go next year, or maybe the year after, and do it ‘properly’.
Congratulations on seeing your books on the stands!
And I had no idea (I think - my memory can play tricks on me these days) that you were an AD and designer for so long. I work (freelance) in educational publishing, and have had a fulfilling 27 year career there, but now and then have a bit of a regret that I didn’t go down the children’s publishing route. It was really luck of the draw,I think. I did interview for a couple of children’s publishing positions very early on, but it was the educational publishing one I was offered, and I wanted to have a job to go straight to after uni. Do wonder, if I’d been less risk averse, and took my time with interviews, I might have had a whole different experience!
(Sorry, went off on a whole me, me, me tangent there! Great post.)
Don’t apologise! Always interesting to hear about other people! I totally relate to this - that’s kind of how I felt about getting caught up in my “career” for so long, and why it took me so long to have the courage to pursue my own dreams and leave my job. I’ve written about that quite a bit, but perhaps not for a while.
Congratulations on the book, is that as an illustrator or designer? Or editor? Did you say? I’ve had a few jobs in educational publishing (for kids). I worked for DK early in my career, and another Educational Publisher called Marshall Editions. Small world, eh ? X
Congratulations on your new book! Love yours and Ruby’s outfits in the top picture, so beautifully colourful!😍😍
Double thanks, Jess!! ❤️❤️
Such a rich and full article, thanks Ella! And congratulations on your book about Vincent, so looking forward to it! 🌻🌻🌻
Thanks so much Sara!! Yes, once I started writing I had a lot to say!! And thanks re: Dear Vincent! Very exciting!! Xxx
A lovely description of the fair and all the complicated emotions (tears) it brings! I really enjoyed this Els and it makes me a little keener to go next year!! Xxx
Our moment of mutual tears didn’t make it to this in the end, but it forever remains one of my most comforting Bologna memories!! ❤️
Ooh!! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for next year!! Xxxx
Ahh this is brilliant, very well summed up, can’t wait to see the books you bought back /ordered in your return.
Thanks Helen!! I’ll do a video soon. Excited to share them! Maybe I should do a live show and tell. Have you shown yours yet? X
Ahhh Ella it was so good to share the overwhelm with you!
Yes!! So good!! Xx