A Caribbean’s perspective: a revitalizing experience at FIL Guadalajara 2024

Ten days ago, I returned from Mexico after a nine-day journey to the Guadalajara International Book Fair. While I could craft a typical travelogue about this beautiful city, my focus during this trip extended far beyond sightseeing. For me, Guadalajara provided a transformative literary experience that broadened my Caribbean perspective.

Not surprisingly, FIL Guadalajara is considered the second most important international book fair globally and the first in the Spanish-speaking world. The sensation of entering the Guadalajara Expo Convention Center during the first few days was overwhelming; we left with splitting headaches from processing so much information. But let’s first examine the event from an organizational standpoint: what are the priorities of such a literary colossus?

Despite spanning ten days, the initial days are dedicated entirely to the publishing industry: editors, agents, booksellers, distributors, and international guilds. A dedicated professionals’ lounge facilitates 30-minute meetings for publishers, agents, and distributors to discuss business proposals. The Rights Room was also a hub of activity, with major English-language publishers and agencies like Princeton University Press and Transatlantic Agency meeting with potential buyers.

My role during the fair was as a literary agent. It’s important to note that while FIL Guadalajara caters to readers, it also maintains a busy schedule for professionals. This year, Spain was the guest of honor, with a substantial space dedicated to Spanish literature, authors, and publishing houses.

I can’t accurately measure the fair’s vast expanse, but there were distinct areas for international entities, national companies, and children’s literature. The international sections often featured country-specific pavilions, showcasing the work of various publishers. The level of organization was impressive, catering to both professionals and readers, although I believe professionals benefited more from the structured networking opportunities.

Many countries had their own national pavilions, highlighting their publishing industries. The presence of book chambers from Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, and Panama was notable. Countries like Italy, Germany, Norway, and Saudi Arabia were actively seeking to sell rights to their work, demonstrating a global commitment to internationalizing their authors.

The camaraderie and willingness to conduct business were palpable throughout the fair. It’s important to note that FIL Guadalajara is a fair, not a festival. After the initial four days, the fair becomes a space dedicated almost entirely to readers; many professionals depart, and the fair becomes available to its readers. During the last three days, the aisles were crowded with students enjoying and browsing books, attending sessions with their favorite writers, and purchasing books.

For any reader wanting to verify the existence of a book in the central information mound, a comprehensive catalog of all the books in the fair was available – because FIL thinks of everything!

The presence of booktubers, bookstagrammers, booktokers, and other content creators contracted by FIL was constant throughout the event. The content kept an entire city and its guests engaged, knowing they could find and enjoy everything there.

Moreover, the presence of radio and television media was extensive: W Radio, Radio Universidad de Guadalajara, UDGTV, Noticiero Científico y Cultural Iberoamericano (NCC), and many more provided local and national coverage.

In short, there’s so much more that could be mentioned, but if there’s one thing I as a reader appreciated, it was the organized and strategically placed information throughout the fair. An informed customer, an informed reader, has a better chance of fully enjoying their experience. I thank FIL Guadalajara and its entire team for providing the best experience I’ve had in my short cultural life.

I can only add that there’s much to be done in the book fairs of our countries across the continent. Guadalajara is a benchmark, especially for its hospitality and welcoming nature, always eager to ensure that every visitor never forgets it and always wants to return to be fully immersed in whatever new it brings.

Until 2025, Mexico!

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By Roxanna Marte
Writer and Cultural Promoter
@cuentard