A bunch of Bologna

book faire takeaways and fun on Lake Como

Hi! I’m Kayla Stark, an illustrator working primarily in the children’s publishing world. You’re reading “Odd Thoughts”, my blog/newsletter where I talk mostly about illustration, process, publishing, and anything else that’s tangentially related in my life. Join in! Everyone’s welcome!

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These porticos are what I will remember when I think of Bologna.

The Bologna Children’s Book Faire is MASSIVE. Publishers from all over the world set up booths in 3 (or was it 4?) buildings the size of football fields (or soccer pitches 😉) in Bologna, Italy and do business—the business of selling translations and foreign rights that is.

That’s the primary focus.

BUT they also try and lure authors/illustrators/children’s book fans/agencies/etc by hosting lectures and panels covering industry topics, exhibiting artwork from published author/illustrators, (+ a handful of more art shows speckled about that I was too overwhelmed to even remember, I’M SORRY OKAY, IT’S A LOT). And because I know I’m leaving things out, here’s a link to the website to get a feel for everything going on.

Experiencing The Bologna Children’s Book Faire as a visitor

I went for the first time this year with my friend, and fellow illustrator,

Vivien Mildenberger

. We arrived in Bologna later in the day on Monday (the first day of the faire) and promptly received a 77€ fine (each!) on the city bus.¹ So we weren’t in the best headspace for meeting people and seeing artwork. We did quickly go check out the faire as most of it was closing for the day, immediately felt overwhelmed by the size and amount of art (but not necessarily in a bad way), then walked to the city center for sightseeing and an aperitivo². Shoutout to Barlume! ✌️

post fining. “And now there is a fine.”

The next couple days were pretty much the same:

• get to the faire

• buy a cappuccino and croissant (the faire had the best croissants of the trip, really! I was shocked too!)

• walk around with wide eyes and open mouths

• hand out postcards to publishers

• attend panels and lectures that seem interesting

• get a sandwich when we feel like we are about to pass out

• walk around some more…get a little lost…

• head to the city center for food/drinks/hanging out

On Tuesday, our first full day at the faire, we started by walking around the Illustrator’s Exhibition (this year was the 58th). And I immediately started…to cry? I’m still trying to understand why exactly that happened. I was surrounded by art that people put their thought and effort into—thinking about the same things I think about; worrying about the same things I worry about; wanting the same things I want (well…maybe). And it all just felt so beautiful, so connected, and (dare I say it again)…overwhelming.

And on a less emotional note, the art in the exhibition was good as hell! I went in with the goal of absorbing some new compositional inspiration and boy howdy! it hit just right!

Sorry these aren't cropped well and there is a glare. I was probably crying when I took them.

The lectures and panels were mostly focused on the publishing process, how to publish a successful book, and the relationship between the authors/illustrators and their publishers. There were many overlapping throughout the day and you had to get to them early to get a seat. I took notes and doodled while I listened.

click through these if you want to read my scratchy notes

Shoutout to the real-time French to English translator. I don’t know your name, but I salute you! 🫡 (one of my favorite parts)

This is HIM! Translating legend.

We were reminded that pretty much every author/illustrator struggles with the same things, no matter how far along in their career or successful they seem to be. We’re all struggling to keep the life from our sketches in our final work; to make stories for kids (and ourselves) that publishers and the markets will “accept”³; pursuing our own styles and sensibilities while trying to “fit in” in on social media⁴; etc.

During our days at the faire, Vivien and I went through a lot of emotional ups and downs. There are so many people in the world that do (or want to do) this job—and so many publishers in the world too. We would go from feeling validated in our gripes and struggles, to feeling on a high “Yay! We are talented! We can do this! We ARE doing this!” to wondering what the point of it all was anyway…and maybe we should find different jobs. All the emotional ranges of being alive were zigzagging through us while we were overwhelmed and underfed. 😅 We leveled out. We’re fine. It’s just so much to think about!

One observational drawing I did of a lion fountain outside our place in Menaggio

What I got out of attending the faire as a visitor

Inspiration:

As I mentioned before, my main goal was to gather inspiration—especially for new compositions. That was accomplished.⁵ There was so much art collected into those 4 massive buildings, it was impossible to see it all and I was reminded that there are infinite ways to illustrate, and there is space for everyone.

Connection and Validation:

Meeting up with other illustrators and saying an in-person “hello” to people I’ve only chatted with online/emailed was a big perk of the faire! Having so many book people in one place makes this easy. And when we are together, we talk shop. That’s where the feeling of validation comes in. We are all going through similar struggles (internally and externally), similar highs too, and no one really knows what they’re doing 😅. We’re just making it work as we go. Validating.

speckling in a pic of Neptune. (don’t call him Poseidon, you’ll be fined!)

What I’d do differently next time

I’m glad I went (everyone says to go at least once). Would I go back to The Bologna Children’s Book Faire?

Yes, but not as just a visitor.

Next time, and I do hope there is a next time, I’d rather attend as a participant and do any and/or all of the following:

• give a lecture or be a part of a panel on a specific subject. (I have a whole list of things I’d love to speak about)

• do a book signing (if I have something to promote at the time)

• give portfolio reviews (there are many illustrators/editors that do this at the faire)

• school/library/bookshop events in the city

And I wouldn’t stay for all 4 days (unless events necessitated it). It takes so long (and cost a good amount of money) to get to Europe from the US—I’d make the faire one stop on a longer trip with friends⁶. :) It wouldn’t be the main event—only one of them.

Lake Como/Menaggio

Apart from Bologna, we spent some time in Menaggio on Lake Como. What a beautiful part of the planet! (almost too beautiful…👀sometimes it felt like Disneyland 😅)

We hiked, we ate (a lot of gelato), we drank, we took in the sites, but most notable of all we took a boat out on the lake. And I’ll probably never look or feel this cool again.

Get ready for me to use this picture for everything.

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Other Noteworthy things

• Here are a couple more posts about the faire from

  Jennifer M Potter
  and
  Katie Stack
  !

You Don't Need to Go to Bologna

Art from the Bologna Children's Book Fair

• I logged all (well…most) of my transit in preparation for a piece (or a series) similar to the “Ode to Scarry Halloween” series I did. This time it will be focused on Italian transit, the food I ate, and the animals I saw while traveling. :)

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Thanks everyone for being here! 💛 Talk again soon!

1. A lot of people attending the faire were fined. …this is a racket from the city. You can’t convince me otherwise. The ticket agents wouldn’t let us buy a bus ticket on board like we thought and they wouldn’t let us get off the bus without paying. Also we didn’t trust they were actually from the city…we thought they might be trying to scam us…so we definitely made them run their paces. 😅 Be wary of the Bologna bus my friends. (I love buses…I felt betrayed.)

2. Our daily ritual.

3. kids aren’t afraid—parents are.

4. Don’t chase trends y’all. It’s not worth it.

5. The sights of Italy also helped fill that inspirational well

6. Okay friends, who wants to plan a Eurotrip?