London Book Fair 2026 – Opportunity for Independent Publishers
Inpress and Arts Council England are pleased to announce the twelve independent publishers selected for full delegate access to London Book Fair (LBF) 2026, taking place from 10–12 March at Olympia London.
We received a wonderful range of applications and the decision was incredibly difficult. After careful consideration based on application merit, geography and representation of contemporary England, we are thrilled to welcome the following publishers to LBF 2026:
And Other Stories
Bluemoose Books
Cassava Republic Press
The Emma Press & Lantana Publishing (joint bid)
Fly on the Wall Press
Heloise Press
Peepal Tree Press & HopeRoad (joint bid)
Peirene Press
Peninsula Press
Renard Press
Rough Trade Books
Silver Press
The London Book Fair is one of the world's biggest international literary and publishing events, offering a valuable space for the global publishing community to network, conduct business meetings and build brand awareness. We recognise, however, that the cost of attending LBF can be a prohibitive barrier for many small publishers which are crucial to national excellence in literature.
Each selected publisher will receive tickets to all three days of LBF 2026, an Exhibitor Profile Listing in the LBF Directory, use of a stock display shelf on the ACE/Inpress stand, and access to bookable meeting tables on the shared stand during the fair. We are also offering each successful publisher a bursary toward travel, accommodation and/or subsistence costs.
The successful publishers shared their excitement:
"This opportunity affirms the cultural work small presses like ours do to expand the literary imagination and strengthens our ability to champion writers whose stories deserve global attention." – Layla Mohamed, Cassava Republic
"As we celebrate our 20th year of publishing this gives Bluemoose a brilliant opportunity to share our stories with the rest of the world and meet like minded independent publishers from across the globe. Magic." – Kevin Duffy, Bluemoose Books
"Absolutely delighted for Fly on the Wall Press to be joining Inpress at the London Book Fair this year! As translation and international relationships grow in significance for our list, we're really excited to grow connections and visibility in London." – Isabelle Kenyon, Fly on the Wall Press
"Collaboration with international agents and publishers is central to our work in translated fiction, and book fairs play a central role in these relationships. It'll be great to attend London Book Fair alongside fellow independent publishers and showcase our work to old friends and new contacts alike." – James Tookey, Peirene Press
Congratulations to all our selected publishers, we look forward to seeing you at London Book Fair 2026!
***ORIGINAL CALL OUT BELOW***
Inpress are working with Arts Council England (ACE) to offer up to twelve independent publishers full delegate access to London Book Fair (LBF) 2026. The opportunity will cover all three days of LBF, from 10–12 March at Olympia London.
The selected publishers will receive tickets to LBF 2026, get an Exhibitor Profile Listing in the LBF Directory, have the use of a stock display shelf on the stand hosted by ACE/Inpress, and will be given access to bookable meeting tables on the shared stand during the fair. We are also able to offer each successful publisher a bursary (on evidence of need) toward travel, accommodation and/or subsistence costs.
The London Book Fair is one of the world’s biggest international literary and publishing events. It offers a valuable space for the global publishing community to network, conduct business meetings and build brand awareness. We recognise, however, that the cost of attending LBF can be a prohibitive barrier for many small publishers which are crucial to national excellence in literature.
To qualify for this opportunity, we ask for the following criteria:
- You are a small independent publisher, based in England. We would define ‘small independent’ as owner-operated and fewer than five FTE staff.
- You have a list(s) foregrounding fiction, poetry, comic art, creative non-fiction, or translated fiction in the above genres (we are unlikely to consider academic or educational publishers).
- You plan to publish one or more titles between February and August 2026, that would benefit from LBF market exposure.
- You are not self-publishing, or operating a hybrid publishing model.
An invitation to submit an application will go live on Monday 1st December 2025, with a deadline of 12pm, Monday 22nd December 2025. Decisions will be made by Inpress, with the support of ACE, and will be communicated by Friday 23rd January 2026. The chosen publishers will be selected on application merit, geography and representation of contemporary England.
We expect successful applicants to attend the three days of LBF and all publishers must contractually abide by LBF’s Terms & Conditions. Publishers will have capacity to develop meeting plans and contacts in advance of LBF attendance, to maximise the varied commercial opportunities.
We look forward to hearing from you! To make an application, please click here from Monday 1st December. If you have any questions, please contact enquiries@inpressbooks.co.uk.
