The Career Value of the Oxdam Book Fair
By Emily Harvey
As a second-year undergraduate student studying Media, Journalism and Publishing, I chose the International Publishing module this year, which meant I was able to participate in the exciting Oxdam Book Fair. This two-day event, co-organized with Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, simulates a major international book fair, offering students invaluable hands-on experience within the publishing industry.
Before the fair, students are divided into teams of 4-5 and assigned the role of representing a fictional publishing house. Each team receives a set of book titles to promote and sell. The partnership with AUAS adds an exciting layer of competition. Students from both universities have the unique opportunity to visit each other’s countries, which means that they can gain valuable insights into the respective book markets. This cross-cultural exchange allows students to tailor their sales strategies and gain a broader understanding of international publishing trends.
From a first hand perspective, my experience at the 2024 Oxdam Book Fair was very enjoyable. I really enjoyed the process of working in an international team and learning about the book market in the Netherlands, as well as developing my cross-cultural communication skills through networking and negotiating. One of the main reasons I chose International Publishing as a module was due to the incredible exposure promised in regard to learning about the international side of the publishing industry. Through my role as a seller, I was able to share, recommend and develop detailed and compelling sales pitches and selling strategies for each of our titles. I learnt so much from this, honing in on my marketing, negotiation, and sales skills. Although working in a team could sometimes be a challenge, navigating this was incredibly rewarding and a vital skill when working in media, journalism or publishing.
Overall, the Oxdam Book Fair provided a dynamic and immersive learning environment which was extremely beneficial and a great opportunity to showcase the skills and knowledge we had acquired in class. By stepping into the shoes of publishers, students gained practical experience, making it an essential and enriching experience for aspiring publishing professionals.
I’d especially like to thank the MJP lecturers who organised and facilitated both the Book Fair and the field trip to Amsterdam, truly amazing opportunities.