“After 50 years, The London Book Fair (LBF) has become an essential part of the international book trade calendar and is the pre-eminent Spring event of the publishing year.
Exhibitors and visitors return year-on-year to develop relationships, gain insights, and set the tone for the year ahead.”
– The London Book Fair
The London Book Fair 2026 (LBF), held from March 10–12, 2026, at Olympia London, once again brought together thousands of professionals from across the global publishing industry. As one of the most anticipated events in the international book trade calendar, the fair continues to serve as a dynamic platform where publishers, authors, agents, and content creators converge to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and shape the future of publishing. With strong international participation and a diverse range of exhibitors, this year’s event reaffirmed its role as a central hub for innovation and collaboration within the industry.
The International Rights Centre serves as a dedicated space for rights negotiations and professional meetings, where publishers, agents, and scouts connect to discuss new opportunities and secure deals. It remains one of the busiest areas of the fair, reflecting the ongoing demand for international rights and content exchange. For more than fifty (50) years, the London Book Fair has played a vital role in the publishing ecosystem, bringing together established industry leaders and emerging voices in a setting that supports both business development and creative collaboration.
Beyond its commercial significance, the fair also offers a rich intellectual experience through its extensive seminar program. Across stages such as the Main Stage, Author HQ, and the Literary Translation Centre, attendees gain insights into some of the most pressing topics in publishing today, including sustainability, diversity and inclusion, digital transformation, and the evolving global market for books. Special features such as the Writers’ Summit provide authors with guidance on navigating the publishing landscape, while the Academic and Professional Publishing Conference allows for deeper exploration of scholarly and professional publishing trends. These sessions are complemented by recognitions that celebrate excellence and innovation, reinforcing the fair’s commitment to advancing the industry.
In line with its advocacy for literacy and access to reading, the fair continues its support of The Reading Agency, a UK-based organization dedicated to improving lives through the power of reading. By working with libraries, schools, and community groups, the organization reaches millions of individuals each year, promoting the transformative impact of books on well-being, opportunity, and social connection.
Amid this vibrant global gathering, ARPress proudly participated in the London Book Fair 2026, presenting a curated selection of titles that reflect its commitment to diverse voices and meaningful storytelling. Through its presence at Olympia London, ARPress actively engaged with international publishers, literary agents, and rights professionals, creating opportunities for collaboration, translation, and wider distribution of its authors’ works. The company’s participation highlights its ongoing efforts to expand its global footprint, strengthen industry partnerships, and position its titles within the international market. By investing in major events such as LBF, ARPress continues to champion its authors, increase brand visibility, and bring compelling stories to a broader readership.
Among the titles showcased was Love Kept Hope Alive by Freda Harrison, a deeply personal Christian memoir about a daughter who is also a nurse, fighting to protect her mother as Alzheimer’s slowly takes hold. This is not just a story about illness. It is about responsibility, family conflict, faith, and the emotional weight of watching someone you love slip away while you are trying to hold everything together.
What makes this book different from other Alzheimer’s memoirs is the dual perspective. Freda writes not only as a grieving daughter but as a trained nurse who understands what proper care should look like. That tension between professional knowledge and personal helplessness gives this story its emotional depth. You feel her frustration, her prayers, and her determination to do right by her mother no matter what the resistance.
The book begins by sharing Freda’s childhood in Pine Hollow, Blue Ridge, including her father’s struggles after World War II and the deep faith that shaped her family. These early chapters are important because they show where her compassion was born. Her mother was a woman who worked hard, helped others, and carried strength through tragedy. That foundation makes what happens later even more heartbreaking.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, the story shifts into a painful reality. Freda notices changes in her mother’s grooming, anxiety, and medical condition. She tries to organize help among siblings, suggests practical caregiving solutions, and even seeks legal advice to protect her mother’s well-being. But instead of unity, she faces resistance. This part of the book is raw and honest. It highlights how caregiving can expose family fractures that were always there but never fully addressed.
Freda Harrison is not writing theory. She is writing a lived experience. The book clearly shows her background in nursing, especially her dedication to elderly care and Alzheimer’s patients. Her voice is direct, sometimes unpolished, but always sincere. You can tell she is not trying to impress anyone. She is trying to tell the truth.
Love Kept Hope Alive is for anyone who has ever loved a parent deeply and felt the fear of losing them piece by piece. It is honest, emotional, and grounded in faith. If you have walked the road of caregiving, or know someone who has, this book will feel personal. And if you have not yet faced it, this story might gently prepare your heart.
Hold on to faith. Hold on to love. Because sometimes, that is what keeps hope alive.
Love Kept Hope Alive by Freda Harrison continues to gain momentum and recognition within the global literary community. Its presence at the London Book Fair highlights not only its relevance but also ARPress’s ongoing commitment to promoting impactful works on an international stage.
The London Book Fair 2026 continues to stand as a vital meeting point for the global publishing community, where stories are shared, collaborations are formed, and new opportunities emerge. ARPress’s participation in this internationally recognized event underscores its dedication to amplifying voices, supporting authors, and bringing impactful stories to readers worldwide, contributing to the ever-evolving landscape of publishing.
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