Hong Kong publishers adopt cautious attitude ahead of Asia’s largest annual book fair
- Small and medium-sized publishers say they are taking extra care when picking titles to curate at Hong Kong Book Fair
- One seller says ‘nothing political whatsoever’ on shelves, while another publisher pushes bestsellers to help save struggling business
Small and medium-sized publishers in Hong Kong have said they are exercising more caution when selecting titles for Asia’s largest annual book fair in the city this year as some sellers struggle to keep their businesses afloat.
The companies were among the hundreds of exhibitors that set up booths on Tuesday ahead of the opening of the seven-day Hong Kong Book Fair the following morning.
Chan Sau-wai, the publishing director of Passion Times, an online media outlet founded by local activists, said she was surprised they had been allowed to take part after several other booksellers were banned.
The Trade Development Council (TDC), which organises the book fair, had previously rejected applications by some publishers to take part in the year’s event, which is among several activities arranged to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule.
But the publishing director said Passion Times had been careful when deciding what book titles to curate at the event.
“There’s nothing political whatsoever,” she said.
Chan added that the group planned to showcase a new novel written by one of its founders Wong Yeung-tat, a paranormal title by another writer and a comic book based on the classic 14th-century novel The Water Margin.
