David Maybury lives in Dublin and has worked as chief tea-maker for Business World, The Irish Writers Centre, Musgraves, the National Library, European Union, RTÉ, Sunday Tribune Business Supplement, Inis Magazine, GCN, the Belfast Telegraph and Poetry Ireland.

David has studied in Colaiste Dhulaigh, University of Wolverhampton and University College Dublin. He writes a blog about reading and writing children’s books and is a judge for the 2008 CBI Bisto Book of the YearCompetition. He is currently writing his first novel.

David travelled to the Children’s Book Fair in Bologna this year and we asked him to share his thoughts on the fair.

The insatiable appetite for paranormal romance/YA shows no real sign of abating – Editors/rights buyers are wailing for something new – while booksellers are crying for more of the same. More of the same, only better. (As the market floods only the very good, or very lucky/smart, will survive.)

Both Usborne and Oxford University Press are dipping their toe in the market – and Little Brown have an incredibly established list. Interesting too that Little Brown are launching their first non-paranormal romance this year too.

There was lots of talk about ‘the book of the fair’ – the title awarded to Emerald Atlas (John Stephens’ debut fantasy novel) aimed at 11+. (The Bookseller has plenty more – and my notes on it are here)

There was a distinct appeal for young fiction (middle-grade) with agents, editors and booksellers all in hot pursuit of a big bang for the market – something to level out the playing field (as paranormal romance did for teen fiction). The bids for Emerald Atlas is heralded as the beginning of a resurgence for younger fiction.

There has been far more interest – and commitment – to standalone novels too. Teen books have been given the limelight – Puffin have Eve Edwards’ The Other Countess (under new imprint, Razorbill).

There was little or no talk about digital development or plans – the focus was primarily on content and not on media. Nosy Crow, Kate Wilson’s new publisher, has got some very interesting apps in development – with great immersive storytelling.

It was the year of super tag teams – with John Boyne and Oliver Jeffers releasing a book in September. Siobhan Dowd’s final, unfinished, manuscript will be finished by Patrick Ness – due for release next year (possibly illustrated by Dave McKean… maybe). And there is Emily Gravett and Julia Donaldson, who have collaborated on Cave Baby. (Both have individual books out this year too)

There is plenty to look forward to – including Judi Curtin in many guises, 3 new Patrick Ness books from Walker, Lauren Child with her first new Lola and Charlie in more than 6 years, Chris Riddell’s Alienography, a new Frances Hardinge, Frank Cottrell Boyce, a PC Kast renaissance, lots more Oliver Jeffers, Kevin Waldron and Chris Haughton and that rumoured new Irish publisher that I might have mentioned.

There is plenty of other notes online – including Kristin Nelson (pubrants) Mary Hoffman (Book Maven), Rhiannon Lassiter,  Hemingway Heroine and Jacket Flap.