London Book Fair is a massive trade fair and can feel overwhelming and a hard place to navigate as an author or to someone new to the publishing industry. Even seasoned publishing professionals can feel intimidated. We set up Byte the Book to help authors and publishing newbies learn about the industry and make valuable connections. 

We're here to support you all year round but especially at London Book Fair so here are our handy tips for the fair. 

Don't forget that we have a limited number of discounted tickets to London Book Fair 2026 to offer our Byte The Book members! If you're interested, please contact info@bytethebook.com. 

Described as the global marketplace for story creators and the publishing industry’s essential spring chapter, LBF is the annual event where publishing professionals from around the world visit to learn, network, do deals and kick off their year of business.

But it is increasingly an event for authors too with events designed to help authors in the different areas of the career and exhibits to help them with the publishing process.

It can also be quite overwhelming, especially if this is your first visit so here are some of our tips to make the most of the fair:

As a beginner:

“If this is your first book fair, don’t try to ‘do it like a pro’ — do it like a learner. A book fair is essentially a live map of the publishing industry, and your job is to observe how it works. Walk the floor, notice who talks to whom, listen to a few panels, and collect catalogues and cards. Treat the first fair as research rather than a pitching opportunity, and you’ll leave with clarity, confidence, and a much better idea of how a book fair works.” - Maleeha, Byte the Book

The practical:

Be prepared for it to feel quite physical, there is a lot of walking around and it’s often hot. Bring water and wear comfy shoes.

“Allow time between when you first arrive (the queue to get in seems to get longer every year) and your first meeting or event you want to attend - and once you get in, familiarise yourself with the layout and the major zones and landmarks.” - Simon Appleby, Bookswarm and Bookbindr

Plan ahead:

Not all the events at the fair will be relevant to you so don’t feel you have to attend everything (you won’t be able to manage that even if you wanted to)

Spend some time with the the event schedule - and plan the talks you’d like to attend that will be helpful for the stage you’re at at the moment.

There is an Author HQ stage which is where you are likely to find most of the author related talks.

“Be sure of what you want to get out of a visit otherwise you are going to get lost in the hubbub of the event. ”  - Emma Lowe, LBF Exhibition Director

Be ready to network:

There are plenty of opportunities to network so it’s worth getting some business cards printed.   Several exhibitors host stand-drinks (Justine. - where are these?) from around 5pm on the Tuesday and Wednesday of the fair which are open to all attendees.

Byte the Book and Bookswarm are also hosting some drinks on Tuesday, 10th March from 7pm - 9pm just over the road from the fair, downstairs at The Hand & Flower pub.  These drinks are open to all and you don’t need to have a ticket to the fair to attend, but please do book your spot so that we know that you’re coming along. You can book your space here!

Don’t:

“Think this must be an opportunity to pitch your book. Publishers and agents are extremely busy at this event. Most have back to back business meetings for the whole duration. So, unlike most trade fairs, you can't go on to a stand and expect to have meetings with publishers or agents. Their diaries are booked months in advance and they won’t have time to meet with individuals they don't know.  This is not the the time for an unsolicited pitch of your book. Instead if you do visit the publisher stands use this time to see what else is on the list and get a sense of what books are coming up.” Justine, Byte the book

“Worry that you don’t belong there. Others might be rushing around and everyone else might feel like they have a good reason to be there or already look like they are in an important meeting, but this will be your space just as much as theirs.” - Emma Lowe, LBF Exhibition Director

Feel overwhelmed or intimidated:

"There’s a lot going on at the fair, a lot of authors speaking and people you’ll meet who are all at different stages of their career. it is easy to fall into overwhelm or worry that you’re not as far along as someone else. STOP. Focus on yourself and what you need and be proud that you made the step to go along." - Kelly Weekes, coach for authors and Byte the Book

Do:

"Be inspired and use the fair for inspiration, motivation and encouragement. One of the positives of the large size of the fair is seeing how many books and authors there are which shows the enormous possibilities, but also the numbers of people and organisations ready to help authors like you." - Kelly Weekes, coach for authors and Byte the Book

If you do attend, and we hope we’ve encouraged you to come along, we would love to invite you to Byte the Book’s panel event, Publishing Pathways – What are your Different Routes to Publication? on 12th March 2026 at 2.05pm and do remember to come along to our Networking Drinks at London Book Fair 2026 on 10th March 2026 at The Hand & Flower, from 7pm - 9pm.

We look forward to seeing you there!