The pages are beginning to turn for the Cape Town Book Fair

Things are moving rapidly on the planning for the Cape Town Book Fair, it's one of the most exciting events in Cape Town and this year the fair will have representatives from the 12 African publishers courtesy of the Goethe Institute, which is a great way to open up African publishing to the European market. But, apart from that, we all know that the public loves the fair, last year 50 000 people came through the fair in the four days, they met publishers, looked at books, shared in dynamic discussions and a few heated debates. Just the thing that we need to keep reading and puplishing growing in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. For me, as part of HWB Communications it's one of the highlights of the year, seeing people engaging with each other, bumping into old friends and meeting new authors. Hard to see it as work really, although for the Cape Town Book Fair team it is a huge undertaking. It's an event we can be really proud of and I am looking foward to meeting you all there. For more information and times on the programme it's up now on www.capetownbookfair.co.za, go and browse get out your diary and make your plans. Everything from chick lit (and we have a man on the panel) to acclaimed teen writer Kevin Brooks will be on offer, not to forget our own brilliant writers. Get ready for a lot of fun, and if you want some really practical advice from me buy a pair of comfortable shoes.