“At The London Book Fair, everyone belongs. We cultivate a culture of inclusion, where the things that make each of us unique are celebrated.
Our exhibitors, attendees, partners, and event colleagues are people from a wide variety of backgrounds, making our show stronger and our collective experience richer.”
– The London Book Fair
The London Book Fair (LBF), held at Olympia London from March 11-13, 2025, reportedly drew approximately 30,000 attendees and experienced a 10-percent increase in rights-center table sales. The event hosted over 1,000 exhibitors, although providing an exact figure would offer more clarity and detail. The International Rights Center, which saw a 10-percent rise in sales compared to 2024, is said to have sold a total of 550 tables.
The London Book Fair (LBF) serves as a premier gathering for the global publishing community, providing a platform for individuals to forge connections, gain valuable insights, and shape the future of creative content. This event brings together a diverse spectrum of professionals, including publishers, dealmakers, copyright specialists, commissioners, and global licensors, all representing the broad scope of the publishing industry.
For more than 50 years, The London Book Fair has been a pivotal event in the international book trade calendar and a key springtime gathering for the publishing sector. Year after year, both exhibitors and visitors return to foster relationships, acquire industry knowledge, and establish the direction for the year ahead.
LBF offers an ideal opportunity for exhibitors to engage directly with customers, build brand recognition, conduct face-to-face business, and secure sales. The event provides cost-effective, all-inclusive packages through its in-house stand design and build service, ensuring an optimal platform for showcasing your business.
For publishing professionals and authors attending LBF, a carefully curated selection of seminar sessions is offered, providing valuable insights into the latest developments within the publishing industry. Key topics include sustainability in publishing, the publishing process, literary translation, diversity and inclusion, and emerging trends.
At the core of LBF lies the International Trade Centre (IRC), which offers a prime opportunity to forge meaningful relationships and meet both new and established contacts. With private meeting spaces and exclusive services, the IRC is designed to facilitate rights professionals in selling rights during this critical period for the industry.
Visitors can take part in over 100 seminars held across multiple stages, including the Main Stage, Author HQ, English PEN Literary Salon, Literary Translation Centre, Tech Theatre, Focus Theatre, and the Sustainability Hub. Additionally, attendees are invited to celebrate industry leaders through the Trailblazer and Lifetime Achievement Awards.
The Writers’ Summit conference, designed to assist authors in gaining visibility among agents, publishers, and readers, is held offsite from Olympia. The Academic and Professional Publishing Conference, a three-day paid event, addresses the growing demand for deeper exploration of key themes such as business, professional, and academic publishing.
This year, we are proud to support The Reading Agency as our selected charity. This UK-based charity is dedicated to empowering individuals through reading. Research demonstrates that reading enhances health and well-being, improves life opportunities, and strengthens social connections. The Reading Agency promotes access to the transformative power of reading through a variety of programs aimed at all age groups. By collaborating with public libraries, prisons, hospitals, and other community organizations, they reach over two million people annually.
However, with a UK population exceeding 67 million, their mission remains ongoing, as they strive to inspire more people to embrace reading, recognizing the profound changes it can bring.
ARPress proudly displayed its bestselling books at the London Book Fair, held at Olympia London (Hammersmith Road, London, W14 8UX) from March 11-13, 2025. Both the publisher and author are honored to participate in an event that fosters “a culture of diversity and inclusion.”
Recently, “To Be a Rose” was featured in the February 2025 issue of The New York Times Book Review (NYTBR). The NYTBR is a weekly magazine supplement included in the Sunday edition of The New York Times, where professional critics review current fiction and nonfiction books. It is considered one of the most influential and widely read book review publications in the world, offering in-depth analyses of new books.
Additionally, Anne Bowen, wife of E.B. Mason, author of “To Be a Rose,” was featured in the Author Spotlight of ARPress. “To Be a Rose” is a memoir by Edmund B. Mason, detailing his transformative journey as an advisor in Afghanistan and his subsequent battle with a life-threatening illness.
The narrative is divided into three sections, with the most extensive focusing on “The Dream,” which recounts Mason’s critical illness and time in intensive care. During this period, he faced collapsed lungs, reliance on ventilators, and significant physical debilitation, including the inability to walk or perform basic tasks. Despite medical projections suggesting prolonged hospitalization and rehabilitation, Mason’s determination led him to return home just two weeks before Thanksgiving.
The memoir also highlights Mason’s time in Afghanistan, where he served as an advisor to Afghan generals—former warlords—in efforts to build the Afghan Army. A memorable anecdote describes his flight from Dubai to Afghanistan, where a goat in the passenger compartment added humor to the journey by headbutting passengers due to air pressure changes during landing. This story exemplifies Mason’s ability to find levity in challenging situations.
The title “To Be a Rose” holds personal significance, stemming from Mason’s childhood admiration for the roses cultivated by his mother. In the arid landscapes of Kabul, the vibrant and diverse roses served as a poignant contrast, symbolizing resilience and beauty amidst adversity.
Edmund B. Mason’s life was tragically cut short in 2011. An obituary notes his tenure as an advisor to the Afghan Ministry of Defense and mentions his publication, “To Be a Rose,” which chronicles his experiences in Afghanistan and his remarkable recovery.
The novel delves into themes of love, loss, transformation, and perseverance. As the protagonist faces hardship and triumph, the story unfolds with lyrical prose and profound insights that resonate with readers on a deep level. The book is more than just a story—it is an exploration of what it means to evolve, to embrace one’s true self, and to bloom despite the odds.
To Be a Rose teaches readers that personal growth is a journey, not a destination. Finding oneself is not about reaching a single moment of clarity but rather about embracing the journey of growth and self-awareness. Just as a rose blooms despite the thorns, true beauty lies in resilience, courage, and authenticity.
Purchase the book via these links:
- ARPress: https://authorreputationpress.com/bookstore/to-be-a-rose/
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Rose-B-Mason/dp/B0DWDXTCV1/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image
- Barnes&Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-be-a-rose-e-b-mason/1014463226