ARPress

“Empower book fair with new technology and create a never-ending exchange platform for international book industry.”

– Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF)

ARPress has been actively participating in some of the world’s most prominent international book fairs, from the Bologna Book Fair and the London Book Fair to events in Miami and Sharjah. We’re excited to share that our journey doesn’t stop there. Our latest step forward: participation in the Beijing International Book Fair. This expansion brings even more opportunities to connect with readers, authors, and publishers on a truly global scale. And we’re just getting started.

The 31st edition of the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF), held from June 18 to 22, 2025, unfolded as a vibrant tapestry of literary innovation, cultural exchange, and academic collaboration. Hosted at the China National Convention Center, this year’s fair showcased over 400,000 titles and introduced groundbreaking initiatives that highlighted the evolving landscape of global publishing.

Spanning 50,000 square meters, BIBF 2025 featured more than 1,700 exhibitors from 80 countries, a significant increase from previous years. Notably, first-time participants from Bangladesh, Chile, Ethiopia, and Jamaica brought fresh perspectives to the fair’s diverse representation. The event attracted approximately 300,000 visitors on the first day alone, reflecting the growing global interest in literature and publishing.

Looking ahead; as BIBF 2025 concluded, it became evident that the fair had not only showcased the latest trends in publishing but also set the stage for future innovations. The integration of digital technologies, the celebration of cultural heritage, and the fostering of global dialogue all underscored the fair’s role as a pivotal platform in the evolving publishing world.

In the coming years, we anticipate further advancements in digital publishing, deeper cultural exchanges, and continued global collaboration, all of which will shape the future of literature and the publishing industry. BIBF 2025 has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the literary world, paving the way for a more interconnected and innovative publishing landscape.

ARPress has had the privilege of working with talented authors from around the globe. From June 18 to 22, 2025, some of their most remarkable works were showcased at an incredible book fair. It was a proud and humbling moment for both the authors and the publisher to take part in such a meaningful and prestigious event, one that not only celebrated literature but also supported a greater cause.

Recently, “Hazardous Pay, Shirt Talk and Twenty-Four Other Stories” by Ivan Prashker was displayed at the 2025 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (LATFOB) – Book Gallery. LATFOB 2025 emphasized accessibility and community involvement. General admission was free, with select programming requiring tickets. The festival’s partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs ensured that a wide range of activities were available to attendees of all ages and backgrounds, fostering a welcoming environment for literary enthusiasts and families alike.

Ivan Prashker’s “Hazardous Pay, Shirt Talk, and Twenty-Four Other Stories” is a powerful, eclectic collection of short stories that span time periods, geographies, and emotional landscapes. Through vivid, often haunting prose, Prashker explores the fragility of human relationships, the weight of history, and the intimate conflicts that define our inner lives.

Each story stands alone as a complete world, yet together they form a cohesive portrait of humanity’s ongoing struggle with identity, morality, grief, and survival. From the innocence of childhood to the trauma of war, the brutality of history, and the complexities of modern family life, this collection reveals Prashker’s incredible range and literary depth.

In stories like The Doll, Prashker masterfully captures the delicate emotions of children navigating loss and change. The Minyan explores the ripple effects of tragedy and the subtleties of friendship, guilt, and cultural identity. In Hazardous Pay, the title story, Prashker takes readers into the heart of military tension, merging bureaucratic absurdity with the psychological strain of combat service.

The tonal range shifts from poignant to satirical to philosophical, but each narrative is rich in character and emotional weight. These stories delve not only into personal struggles but also into larger social and historical themes, providing a compelling and multifaceted reading experience.

Ivan Prashker’s collection is not just a book—it is an emotional odyssey through the peaks and valleys of human experience. It demands attention not through melodrama, but through its quiet, penetrating truths. Each story is a carefully crafted vignette that lingers long after the final line. For readers who value literary fiction that tackles real issues with depth and nuance, this collection is a treasure.

Purchase the book, “Hazardous Pay, Shirt Talk and Twenty-Four Other Stories” by Ivan Prashker, via this link:

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