Manila International Book Fair organizer slammed for banning book signings for exhibitors reserving below 15 booths

A group of independent publishers slammed Primetrade, the organizer of the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), for imposing a new rule banning author book signings for those that only reserved 15 booths and below.

In a Facebook post on July 11, the Indie Publishers Collab PH (TIPC), noting it's making a verbatim quote, said Primetrade emailed the message: “Please be informed that we will implement that author book signings are not allowed inside the booths for those who reserved 15 booths and below to avoid disturbance to the other exhibitors.”

TIPC called the rule unfair "since it discriminates against small publishers" like itself, noting that it can barely afford a booth measuring three meters by three meters and costs P74,000 plus value-added tax.

Still, it tries to "persist because we want to make our titles available to the general reading public, and thus give a bigger exposure to our authors and the important messages we want to communicate."

"Author signings at the booths draw the readers and boost book sales, aside from providing the readers opportunities to interact with the authors," TIPC said.

It noted the rule was "arbitrarily imposed" just two months before the MIBF in September, "without prior consultation with the exhibitors and when all of us have given down payments, and some of us have made arrangements with our authors to be present during the MIBF, i.e. bought tickets/ booked flights, reserved accommodations."

"This is a sad development, to think that we supported Primetrade and MIBF during the COVID years as we were all struggling ourselves," TIPC said.

The organization pointed out the importance of the MIBF for independent publishers "to raise awareness for our advocacies, provide exposure for our fledgling authors, and expand our market."

"More than the wasted financial and marketing opportunities," it said, "it is the disregard for independent publishers, small presses and the Filipino literature and culture that we champion and represent that make us feel disheartened."

It called the MIBF "partial to only the big ones," despite its organizers that "pride themselves in having a diverse collection and representing authors and publishers, both big and small."

TIPC asked Primetrade not to favor one party over the other "for the sake of invigorating the small presses and developing readers."

Authors and readers weigh in

Authors and readers likewise aired their disappointment with Primetrade's new rule on social media.

Award-winning essayist Danton Remoto wrote in a Facebook post: "Excuse me, Primetrade Asia, Inc. Are you ready for the consequences of your hare-brained decision?" He also expressed his support for TIPC and said he "will mount a campaign vs this move that discriminates against small, indie publishers."

Writer and independent film producer Gay Ace Domingo wrote online: "Author signings at the booth at the Manila International Book Fair are important to us, independent publishers, and our readers. Imagine the dismay we felt when we were informed that only exhibitors with more than 15 (!) booths can avail of this privilege." Domingo noted that "unfair is an understatement."

A reader also questioned Primetrade's decision in the comments section of TIPC's post. "What kind of mindset is this?" she wrote. "It's like telling a small store in a street, for example, not to hold any event because it might disturb big stores. Make it make sense."

"Super disappointing naman nito," another reader commented. "Sa MIBF na nga lang may biggest interactions ang authors and readers, ipagkakait niyo pa."

Marvin Acceron, executive publisher of San Anselmo Press, finds the situation "unreasonable" as the organizers changed the rules after they paid the downpayment.

He wrote on Facebook, "The real threat to the book fair (which the organizers seem unaware of) is that it will become boring again. We’re reverting to the pre-pandemic years, with big chains simply moving stock from their bookstores. What's the point of a book fair if it offers the same titles as the mall?"

PhilSTAR L!fe reached out to the MIBF organizers for comment but has yet to receive a reply.

The MIBF is the country's longest-running and largest book bazaar, featuring over a hundred exhibitors. This year's edition will be held from Sept. 11 to 15 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay.