Italy Row, AI in Focus at World’s Biggest Book Fair
FRANKFURT: A row over an Italian mafia author, growing interest in wacky literary subgenres and the use of AI in publishing will be in focus at the world’s biggest book fair this week.
The Row Over Italy
Big names at the Frankfurt book fair include Israeli author and historian Yuval Noah Harari, US writer Anne Applebaum and British-Turkish novelist Elif Shafak. But the run-up has been marred by a row in Italy, this year’s “guest of honour” – an annual tradition intended to shine a spotlight on a partner country’s literary scene.
Fury erupted after the initial official selection put forward by the Italians did not include Roberto Saviano, author of bestseller “Gomorrah” who was convicted and fined last year for defaming far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Following the move, Saviano lashed out on social media at what he branded the “most ignorant government in the history of Italy”. In the end he is coming to the fair anyway, but at the invitation of his German publisher.
Critics say it is further evidence of a worsening climate for freedom of expression in Italy, with 41 authors writing an open letter in response that complained of “increasingly suffocating political interference in cultural spaces”.
The Italian Publishers Association insisted that it would never allow any kind of “outside interference” in the programme, called “Roots in the Future”.
New Adult Literature and AI in Publishing
There is much more going on besides the controversy surrounding Italy – the world’s biggest publishing trade event will this year welcome about 1,000 authors and other speakers at some 650 events on 15 stages.
A large area will be dedicated to “new adult” literature, which encompasses a weird and outlandish range of sub-genres beloved of younger readers, such as “Romantasy” and “Dark College”.
These genres have been rapidly growing in popularity, often boosted by exposure through social media trend BookTok on the TikTok platform, where authors promote their work and readers post reviews.
Artificial intelligence will also be a major topic, with talks and panel discussions dedicated to the subject, as fears mount in the industry about poor-quality, computer-written books flooding the market and potential copyright violations.
Conclusion
The Frankfurt book fair is a platform for authors, publishers, and industry players to come together and showcase their work. While controversy may surround certain aspects of the event, it is clear that the Frankfurt book fair will continue to be a driving force for advancing the world of publishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
* What is the main topic of controversy at the Frankfurt book fair this year?
+ A row over Italy, including the lack of inclusion of Roberto Saviano in the official selection.
* What are some of the other topics being discussed at the fair?
+ New adult literature, including genres such as “Romantasy” and “Dark College”, and the use of AI in publishing.
* Who is this year’s guest of honour at the Frankfurt book fair?
+ Italy, with its annual tradition of selecting a partner country’s literary scene.