Global Publishing Converges at London Book Fair AI Controversy and Audiobook Boom Dominate Day One

On 10 March 2025, The London Book Fair opened at Olympia London. Publishers, authors, and industry professionals from around the world gathered to negotiate rights, exchange market insights, and discuss key industry topics, including artificial intelligence and audiobooks.

The day began on the main stage with a keynote interview featuring Tom Weldon. He spoke with The Bookseller editor Philip Jones about the future of publishing and emphasized the importance of cultivating new readers and expanding audiences during the UK’s National Year of Reading.

Suzy Warnock, Senior Insight Manager at NielsenIQ BookData, presented global book market trends, analyzing consumer behavior and bestseller patterns, and highlighting emerging growth in fiction, non-fiction, and children’s publishing.

Alice Oseman, bestselling author of the graphic novel Heartstopper, appeared as the Fair’s Creative Guest, sharing their creative journey and receiving the YA Book Prize Special Achievement Award. They reflected on signing their first publishing deal at 17, the adaptation of their work for screen, and the evolving connection between publishing, television, and young readers.

Audiobooks also drew major attention. Ray Porter delivered live readings and explored the power of audio storytelling, while Bob Carrigan discussed Audible’s 20-year presence in the UK and how audiobooks are attracting new audiences and transforming the publishing landscape.

Meanwhile, an initiative led by Ed Newton-Rex drew significant interest. Around 10,000 authors, including Kazuo Ishiguro, Philippa Gregory, and Richard Osman, jointly released the “blank book” Don’t Steal This Book to protest AI companies using authors’ work without permission, making it one of the most talked-about events on day one.