VOL.72/2024.07

 

Book Fairs, Another Type of Holiday

 

2024.07.01

 

When you work with books, you get to experience a yearly cycle of events. For small bookstores/publishers like Ghost Books, which is both a bookstore and a book maker, book releases are usually aligned with these events. This is because you can have quite good promotional effects by doing so, particularly if you publish fewer books and don’t have a great budget for marketing each book. As such, book fairs are very important for planning the year ahead. Aligning your publication schedule with these annual events gives you a clear guideline for managing the manuscript editing, designing interior layout and cover, and printing timelines.
Over the past 8 years of running a small publishing house and bookstore, I have attended a number of book fairs. As I mentioned earlier, these events usually occur in a certain cycle. Meeting the authors that you have been seeing at a similar time and space every year is quite special. It can be like a “holiday,” so to speak. It was like a holiday in that people who make books in their own way in Korea, whether through writing, drawing, or photography, regularly get together to exchange greetings and talk about their works. And, I felt so lucky to be able to meet people every year with whom I can share similar thoughts and feelings in the same language. I guess you could say it’s like meeting a long-lost relative with the same blood, or meeting someone similar to you with the same DNA - books.
Perhaps it will be a great deal of luck to meet relatives who are connected with books. In Korea, big national holidays for the year narrow down to two - Lunar New Year and Chuseok (Thanksgiving Day), but there are many more “book holidays.” Just like you get one year older by having tteokguk (rice cake soup) and giving new year’s greetings to older family members during the Lunar New Year holidays, and doing Charye (memorial service for ancestors) with newly harvested fruits and songpyeons (traditional Korean rice cake) you made during the Chuseok holidays, what are the characteristics of “book holidays” where we meet “book relatives”? In this article, I would like to talk about some of the events that Ghost Books attends regularly, sharing the characteristics of each, as well as some of the things learned from them.

 

The herald of a new year: Jeju Book Fair

 

April is a month full of a warm spring vibe. While it seems like only yesterday that the green buds were bursting out, the branches of the cherry blossom trees soon began to bear pink blossom clusters. The cherry blossoms, which will soon bloom and cover the world, begin to slowly work their way upward from the warmer southern parts of the world. And on Jeju Island, the first place to see the blossoms in full bloom, the book fair begins, signaling the start of the year. The ‘Jeju Book Fair’ is held every April at the Halla Sports Complex, located at Ora 1(il)-dong, Jeju-si, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. It is the first event where book relatives greet each other after the cold winter.
The ‘Jeju Book Fair’ primarily features not only active independent creators in Korea but also new creators who have just published their first books. Locals and travelers visiting Jeju to enjoy its warm atmosphere and beautiful cherry blossoms gather around Halla Gymnasium to experience the fragrance of the flowers and explore fresh creative works. This event, which attracts many visitors each year, showcases not only the works of independent publishers but also the independent publications completed through various book-related projects by Jeju residents. Additionally, there is an interactive corner for children, making the event enjoyable for people of all ages.
However, one thing that is increasingly alarming is that the rapidly changing climate caused by global warming is forcing the cherry blossoms to bloom earlier than they should. Looking back at the 2024 event, where we had no choice but to sadly gaze at the petals that had already fallen to the ground in early April, we have one more reason to save our planet.

 

 

Seoul International Book Fair: The biggest book festival in Korea

 

In June, when the heat is just beginning, the largest book-related event in Korea, the ‘Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF),’ takes place at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul. While many major publishers participate, small independent publishers also take part and can be found in the special ‘Book Village (Chaegmaeul)’ section. This ‘Book Village’ corner is designed to showcase the diversity of domestic publications and features active independent and art book publishers. Ghost Books has participated for the past three consecutive years, and each year, we feel that ‘everyone who loves books in Korea seems to gather here!’ It’s impressive to see so many people come together, all sharing a common interest in books! The enthusiastic atmosphere that fills the COEX halls during the event is something any book lover will be completely immersed in without hesitation.
On top of all that, the fair is also packed with moments where your eyes, ears, and heart can’t help but be captivated - lectures by writers and famous figures you might normally not have the chance to meet are held frequently in different parts of the venue. Personally, there is something special and unique about this event: you can meet both established publishers and independent publishers that you have been eyeing “all at once.” The opportunity to participate in special events by established publishers that can only be found at the Seoul International Book Fair, or to meet and talk to the people running independent publishing houses that we have always secretly favored, is always a valuable experience. What’s more, since Ghost Books is not just a publisher, but also “presenters” of various books, it’s special to be able to “discover” amazing books here that we didn’t know existed. An added advantage is the reduced stress of choosing a date to visit, as the fair is open for five days.

 

 

Introducing a special world of “independent publishing”: Seoul Publishers Table

 

As summer fades and autumn begins, another book fair that excites independent publishers is held. This time, it takes place at ‘Musinsa Terrace’ near Hongdae Station in Seoul. Since 2013, the ‘Seoul Publishers Table’ has been held at various locations, but for the past two years, it has settled at Musinsa Terrace. This highly accessible location attracts many visitors in their 20s and 30s. Last year, around 230 teams participated, showcasing a diverse array of works including writing, drawings, and photographs that are popular with the general public.
This event is particularly appealing to beginners who have just discovered the world of independent publishing and want to explore what fascinating things this new world holds. The creative works presented here offer fresh perspectives on everyday stories without being overly artistic, making visitors think, ‘I want to try independent publishing too!’ Additionally, a unique feature of the ‘Seoul Publishers Table’ is its ‘delivery system.’ For those wondering how to carry home all the attractive books they’ve purchased, this convenient system allows you to package and send your purchases in a special box directly to your home for a low fee. Exploring the new cultural domain of independent publishing while enjoying the convenience of the ‘Seoul Publishers Table’ might be a great way to take your first step into this exciting world.

 

 

Unlimited Edition: The Root and Heart of Independent Publishing Book Fairs

 

And finally, in November, as the year is coming to an end and the chill is growing stronger, the biggest event for independent publishers and art book creators, ‘Unlimited Edition,’ is held. This event, now in its 16th year, takes place over three days at the Seoul Museum of Art in Nowon, Seoul. ‘Unlimited Edition,’ considered the root and heart of independent publishing book fairs, attracts numerous unique creators who showcase their distinctive styles and experimental approaches through their books. It also features a diverse range of participants, including creators from Asia and the Western world, adding to its rich composition. The impressive scale of visitors is another notable aspect. This event records the highest number of visitors among independent publishing book fairs, with attendees eagerly exploring and purchasing various works as if they have been waiting for this day all year. Seeing such enthusiasm makes it impossible for me to remain seated; I feel compelled to passionately explain our works.
The curious gazes directed at the fresh books filling the entire gallery, and the precious conversations exchanged between creators and visitors, might be the very driving force that keeps us creating books consistently. Additionally, this event appeals to me not just as an independent publisher, but as a book lover and a consumer who appreciates creative works that convey the inner voices of others. Held at the end of the year, this event allows for a slightly more relaxed atmosphere. However, seeing the meticulously crafted works of various authors reminds me not to become complacent in my daily routine. For those seeking a fresh breeze in their monotonous lives or striving to find new inspiration, I highly recommend ‘Unlimited Edition.’

 

 

Every time we participate in a book fair and return to Daegu after completing all the events, there are things we feel. We are deeply grateful to the visitors who always praise and show great interest and support for Ghost books’ publications and products, even though we ourselves still find it hard to gauge our role in the history of publishing. Meeting such precious people makes me never regret, even for a nanosecond, my decision to leave my previous job in 2016 and dive into the field of independent publishing. Even when overwhelmed by the hectic atmosphere of the event, and so exhausted every night that I can do nothing but lie in bed at the accommodation, recalling the love and support from visitors fills me with renewed strength. As a creator, I also want to express my admiration for the works of many fellow authors, gaining wonderful inspiration from them.
The independent publishing book fairs in Korea greatly enrich my dual roles as a bookstore operator and an independent publisher. In addition to the four fairs I introduced, there are smaller, more unique fairs that I highly recommend everyone with an interest visit at least once. Furthermore, please know that anyone can become an independent publisher at any time, and that the door is always wide open.

 

 

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Written by Kim In-Cheol (Head of “Ghost Books,” a bookstore and publishing house)