conferences – Frankfurt Book Fair 2007
Hello ladies!
Sorry for my absence these days. Here's a quick post though about the Frankfurt book fair!
I got to attend, and it was huge. I rushed through 1.5 halls in one day, and attended a quick 45 minute seminar organized by the German Illustrators Organization www.io-home.org. The seminar was about how to hold successful negotiations with clients. It was as good as it can get in 45 minutes – but due to the short time didn't hold much news.
An interesting argument thrown in by a German illustrator was that he has a lot of trouble holding an efficient client meeting when he's on first name terms with the client, and they get along like great buddies. According to him, this makes him take things too easily and makes it harder to remember to negotiate all business terms that have to be discussed. Another illustrator threw in that yes, he hates all this first name stuff, and if a client offers the first name, he refuses. I was slightly appaled at this, as in my book, there's nothing better than being on good terms with a client – and refusing an offered "Du" (the personal address Germans use towards each other, when on friendly terms) would be great in that respect! I'm not sure how this is gauged in the States exactly. I usually don't have a problem with just sticking with the address the client suggests. Any thoughts?
Get addresses from the book publishers you love:
The book fair has a nice treat on their website. All the exhibitors who chose to do so are listed in the database, with their address and website, sometimes even with a contact person. You can register to access all this market information, for around 30 EUR, it's valid for 1 year (until October 2008).
Sign up here, on the Buchmesse Frankfurt Website.
Picture book publishers that I liked:
I had an eye out for what's on the market right now regarding children books. This has a lot to to with personal taste, as I don't know which of these publishers sell best. But it's not all about money, is it. These are a couple of the ones that I LOVED looking at:
Barefood Books
Templar Publishing
Grimm Press (I can't believe it's only in Chinese though!)
Andersen Press
Meadowside Books
Sorry for my absence these days. Here's a quick post though about the Frankfurt book fair!
I got to attend, and it was huge. I rushed through 1.5 halls in one day, and attended a quick 45 minute seminar organized by the German Illustrators Organization www.io-home.org. The seminar was about how to hold successful negotiations with clients. It was as good as it can get in 45 minutes – but due to the short time didn't hold much news.
An interesting argument thrown in by a German illustrator was that he has a lot of trouble holding an efficient client meeting when he's on first name terms with the client, and they get along like great buddies. According to him, this makes him take things too easily and makes it harder to remember to negotiate all business terms that have to be discussed. Another illustrator threw in that yes, he hates all this first name stuff, and if a client offers the first name, he refuses. I was slightly appaled at this, as in my book, there's nothing better than being on good terms with a client – and refusing an offered "Du" (the personal address Germans use towards each other, when on friendly terms) would be great in that respect! I'm not sure how this is gauged in the States exactly. I usually don't have a problem with just sticking with the address the client suggests. Any thoughts?
Get addresses from the book publishers you love:
The book fair has a nice treat on their website. All the exhibitors who chose to do so are listed in the database, with their address and website, sometimes even with a contact person. You can register to access all this market information, for around 30 EUR, it's valid for 1 year (until October 2008).
Sign up here, on the Buchmesse Frankfurt Website.
Picture book publishers that I liked:
I had an eye out for what's on the market right now regarding children books. This has a lot to to with personal taste, as I don't know which of these publishers sell best. But it's not all about money, is it. These are a couple of the ones that I LOVED looking at:
Barefood Books
Templar Publishing
Grimm Press (I can't believe it's only in Chinese though!)
Andersen Press
Meadowside Books
3 Comments:
I think it's Barefoot Books, but I could be wrong.
Great post Astrid. frankfurt is the biggest book expo in the world, so it's great that you went along. Thank you for sharing!
I don't have a problem with first names. I think I am able to keep my professional distance at a point where I can still 'negotiate'. Actually, I find it easier to talk about that stuff. I feel more comfortable knowing that they understand too, and that it's all just business. After all, they are not personally paying for it, the company is. (I'm talking about publishers). I look at it this way: if a client really doesn't want to pay — and I have to say "thanks but no thanks" — then it wasn't meant to be. If they want you bad enough, they'll pay the going rate!
Leezy, I totally agree!
:-)
Astrid
Great post Asrtid. I agree about the friendly relationship with a client. I'd think it would make business a little easier.
Anyone know why the rest of our blog is suddenly all in bold? It's strange.
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