Independent Publishers Guild creates Virtual Book Showcase for London Book Fair 2023

The Independent Publishers Guild (IPG) has created a new Virtual Book Showcase publishers will be able to take part in during London Book Fair 2023, running from 18th to 20th April.

Developed by publisher services company Exact Editions, publishers joining the initiative will be able to display up to four books on their own digital ‘shelf’ in their original print formats. Each will be fully searchable and drive traffic to a shop link of the participating publisher’s choice, with previews available for a period either side of the event.

Bridget Shine, chief executive of the IPG, said: “We are pleased and proud to be providing this first-of-its-kind multi-publisher virtual book fair showcase. It’s a great way to improve the visibility of IPG members’ output and help their superb books reach new audiences. With the help of Exact Edition technology, independent publishers will get the professional display and collective discoverability they deserve.”

Managing director of Exact Editions Daryl Rayner added that publishers have “really got behind this exciting new technology” and “have integrated it into their own marketing strategies”.

“Book fairs are key dates in the calendar for book promotion and negotiations, and IPG members will benefit from the fact that Reading Rooms for Books is expressly designed for time-limited marketing,” he said. 

A prototype of how the platform will look can be found here. The books included are preview-only.