One of the many PublisHer programs at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025 is watched by an audience in Hall 4.1. Image: PublisHer, Augustine Paredes
By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
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Bodour Al Qasimi: ‘Spaces of Belonging and Connection’
Everyone who was at Frankfurter Buchmesse last week will have encountered in our Frankfurt Book Fair Magazine (on Page 4) our preview coverage of the PublisHer Lounge’s first-time programming at the trade show.
While the United Arab Emirates’ Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi of Sharjah created PublisHer in 2019 during London Book Fair, this international network for professional women in publishing’s comparatively new “Lounge” element hasn’t been seen as widely as the project’s core stand and ancillary programming have.
(On this page from Frankfurt’s exhibitor directory, you can scroll down and see the bulk of the busy programming schedule offered at Frankfurt.)
Running throughout the five days of Buchmesse—including the public-entry days that follow the trade-visitor days—the aisle-to-aisle stand at C28 in Hall 4.1, PublisHer’s presence at the world’s largest international trade show for the book industry created a keen sense of steady, impactful, and intelligent programming for women in the business.
The PublisHer presence, in fact, was made possible by a partnership with Frankfurter Buchmesse, staging at least 30 speakers from six continents between October 15 and 19. Key themes ranged from women in executive roles and diversity in children’s publishing to professional development and sustainability in book production.
Bodour Al Qasimi. Image: Nabs Ahmedi
In a comment provided to Publishing Perspectives on the program at Frankfurt, the network’s founder Al Qasimi says, “PublisHer continues to mature and grow into an international change movement.
“We’ve evolved from creating spaces of belonging and connection to building structures of opportunity.
“I’m very grateful to Juergen Boos and the Frankfurt Book Fair team for the opportunity to reach and support even more women from around the world.”
Juergen Boos
Boos—who is president and CEO of Frankfurter Buchmesse—in turn says, “It’s fantastic to see PublisHer coming to Frankfurt with such a rich program to promote diversity and the empowerment of women in our industry.
“With its PublisHer Lounge, the program creates a vibrant and inspiring space at the book fair.
“It offers a meeting point where ideas, experience, and ambition come together to push our industry forward.”
‘The Invisible Woman’ and More
From left are PublisHer’s opening panel speakers at Frankfurt: managing director Zhora Qureshi; Tracey Armstrong, CCC; Elena Pasoli, Bologna Children’s Book Fair; Emma House, Oreham; Susznne Collier, Bookcareers; Mitia Osman of Mayurpankhi; and Linda Paul, PublisHer’s head of programs and partnerships. Image: PublisHer, Augustine Paredes
On the fair’s opening day, a PublisHer Panels discussion among leading women from international publishing on the trade show’s Center Stage was titled The Invisible Women of Publishing and featured:
- Elena Pasoli of Bologna Children’s Book Fair, BolognaFiere Group;
- Tracey Armstrong, Copyright Clearance Center;
- Mitia Osman of Mayurpankhi;
- Suzanne Collier of Bookcareers.com; and
- Emma House of Oreham Group, moderating.
PublisHer’s “Meet a Mentor” sessions were described as an ongoing highlight of the programming, allowing early- and mid-career professionals to book one-on-one meetings with leading women in publishing from Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, to receive guidance, support and encouragement.
The trade fair also provided a platform for the launch of the next cycle of the PublisHer Excellence Awards, which honor women who make exceptional contributions to publishing through leadership, innovation, and/or advocacy.
Since its founding, the PublisHer Lounge has pursued its concept of a go-to meeting point at major fairs, including those at Bologna and Sharjah, serving as platforms for mentorship, inspiration, and practical support.
PublisHer stand visitors at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025. Image: PublisHer, Augustine Paredes
More from Publishing Perspectives on PublisHer is here, international book fairs and trade shows is here, more on Sharjah Book Authority and its programs is here, more on the Sharjah International Book Fair is here, more on Sharjah Publishers Conference is here, and more on international book and publishing awards is here.
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