CAPNET Head Pleased with Group’s Participation in London Book Fair

Chairman of the Caribbean Publishers Network (CAPNET), Ian Randle, has expressed satisfaction with the group’s participation in 2007 London Book Fair, noting that CAPNET’s involvement in the event was better than expected.
“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration that this is actually one of the more popular stands in this corridor at this book fair. Obviously, there is something that people like about Caribbean books,” he told JIS News.
The three-day fair ended yesterday (April 18) and Mr. Randle said that this year was the first time that the Caribbean was being represented at the event as a collective. “Individual publishers have come over the years and visited (the London Book Fair) but it’s the first time that the region has been represented as a Caribbean collective. It’s the first time we have had a Caribbean stand and it seemed to have caught people’s imagination,” he stated.
Mr. Randle told JIS News that by participating in the fair, the five-year old organization hoped to raise the profile of Caribbean publishers in the United Kingdom (UK).
High Commissioner, Burchell Whiteman, who officially opened the CAPNET booth, commended the organization for showcasing the work of Caribbean writers and publishers. He also lauded the group’s commitment and work in keeping the sector strong and vibrant in the region.
In addition to the Book Fair, CAPNET will be participating in several other events in London, including a mini Caribbean Book Fair at the Brixton Library on Friday (April 20).
“We also want to connect with the Caribbean Diaspora in the UK to see how we can exchange both books as well as training. We want to put a Caribbean perspective on the bicentennial observations in the UK and we will be participating in a number of events this week until Saturday,” informed Mr. Randle.
The London Book Fair is one of the world’s leading fora for the business of publishing. The annual three-day event attracts an international audience of booksellers, publishers, agents, authors, production professionals and journalists.