You may not know me, but my name is Meryl Moss, the Founder and CEO of Meryl Moss Media Group and the publisher of BookTrib.com. I started BookTrib 21 years ago on a napkin in a restaurant in Greenwich, CT. I’ve been working in the world of books for more than 32 years and I have loved every minute of it. Thank you for being part of the BookTrib family.
I plan to pop into the newsletter from time to time to say hello and this time it’s about attending The London Book Fair.
After 30 years of attending BEA in New York City — only to see it disappear — I knew it was time for a fresh chapter. This year, I decided to attend the London Book Fair.
What a brilliant decision. I hadn’t been surrounded by that many people since before Covid, and the sheer energy was exhilarating. Over 30,000 book lovers, publishers, agents, and industry pros from around the world poured into the massive, bustling city of London.
The fair itself took place at Olympia, right off the Kensington Station stop — so close that you literally had to walk past the entrance just to reach the street.
My journey began with a ten-hour overnight flight from Miami, landing at Gatwick at 8:30 AM. Bleary-eyed but excited, I found myself in the company of a wonderful group of fellow travelers who practically took me by the hand, guiding me through the train route from Gatwick to Kensington. That small act of kindness set the tone for the entire trip — serendipitous encounters and meaningful connections.
After a quick refresh at the (non-W W) hotel, I hit the ground running. My three-day schedule was packed with back-to-back meetings — conversations with UK-based publishers, marketing companies eager to break into the U.S. market, and potential new business partners.
The aisles buzzed with professionals discussing the latest industry trends — new book releases, what’s selling, the explosive impact of AI, and, of course, the ever-pressing question: What’s next?
But as incredible as my scheduled meetings were, it was the spontaneous conversations that truly defined my trip. Every interaction felt like a door opening to something new. One of the most memorable moments? Meeting a young woman while sitting in the International Rights Center. She’s currently studying at the London School of Economics, recently became an assistant literary agent, and — to make her even more impressive — sings in a band. Her fresh perspective and passion for books were contagious, and I’m hopeful she’ll soon be contributing to BookTrib as an international correspondent.
Another highlight was unexpectedly running into a literary agent I had worked with on several high-profile books — someone I hadn’t seen in years. Reconnecting was a delight. I also caught up with old friends and colleagues who once lived in New York City but have since moved elsewhere. Meeting up in London, of all places, made our reunions very special.
Being in London I had to try to see a show and I was lucky enough to get the very last ticket in the Barbicon Theater to see The Seagull with Cate Blanchette.
It was a very modern version of this Russian classic written in 1895 and first produced in 1896, it was fabulous!
The London Book Fair wasn’t just an event — it was an experience. A reminder of the power of the in-person connection, the thrill of discovery, and the magic of books bringing out the best in people.
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