International alliance of independent publishers

Babelica 2026: “Resist and Hope”, 21 and 22 September

Laurence Hugues — 2026-06-02T14:46:58Z

“Resist and hope”
This year, Babelica amplifies the voice of the new generation!

For several months now, the International Alliance of Independent Publishers has been working alongside Double Ponctuation to publish a very special issue of the journal Bibliodiversité, which will give a voice to 30 young authors under the age of 30, from 30 different countries. Invited through the Alliance's member publishers, these young authors speak out and tell us about their world, their society, their anxieties, but also their struggles, their utopian visions and their hopes.
This huge project will not only result in a collection of texts entitled “Resist and Hope” but will also shape our discussions within Babelica.

They live in Niger, Morocco, the Philippines, Singapore, India, Afghanistan, Palestine, Mozambique, Uruguay, Chile, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Turkey…; these young talents will take centre stage at the 2026 edition of Babelica, and we invite you to listen to them and engage in dialogue with them on 21 and 22 September!

The Babelica 2026 programme is available here (subject to change).

A huge thank you to everyone involved in the design and production of Babelica: Maxime Guedj (PCFH Studio), Thibault Daumain, and the wonderful team of interpreters (Raquel Aguilar Núñez, Morgane Alexandre, Elena Arroyo Torres, Ali Cruau, Louis Leman-Hibon, Armando Moya Ruiz and Marcela Nicolao); a thousand thanks to Babelica's partners: the International Organisation of La Francophonie, the Centre national du livre, and the Charles Léopold Mayer Foundation.

What to say, and where to say it? Open Letter from Independent Publishers to authors and intellectuals committed to a fairer world, 2020

Laurence Hugues — 2026-04-17T11:17:00Z

“Now that we have entered the 21^st century, it is difficult to dissociate the end from the means: what to say, and where to say it? Thus, we find that many authors seeking to promote debate, creativity and critical thinking, justice and equality are published by large conglomerates with multiple editorial labels. Isn't the transformative power of these works reduced to nothing when they plunge into the workings of the entertainment industry? It is a fact that transnational corporations, whatever their field of action, are the very expression of the system that dominates us. By choosing them as publishers, do we not somehow leave the world of transformative ideas in the hands of those who lay the foundations of the model we criticise? Doesn't that strengthen the control of big capital over the word and our daily lives? Moreover, how can we not question the cross-industry investment of the business groups that own publishing houses? And, are these investments neutral?”

In this open letter, independent publishers invite all the actors of the book industry to reflect with them on their practices and the impacts that result from them. In particular, they call on authors, academics and intellectuals to work on projects whose vocation is to transform the order of things and not to consolidate the status quo, to publish their works in independent publishing houses in their own countries, and to give preference to independent publishing houses when it comes to transferring foreign and translation rights.

As the world suffers the health, social and economic consequences of the pandemic, book ecosystems and independent publishing houses are further weakened and, for some, are trying to survive. If solidarity between creators and book professionals is one of the foundations of bibliodiversity, this solidarity is vital in the current context.

Read the letter here.
This letter is also available in Spanish, French, Arabic and Portuguese.

Freedom to write, to publish, to read

Laurence Hugues — 2026-04-01T11:04:36Z

In a period when freedoms such as the right to write, to publish, and to read are increasingly under threat, we revisit the insights and perspectives shared by independent publishers during the Babelica Book Fair.

You can listen on Babelica to the nine round-table discussions dedicated to freedom to publish, including: ‘Freedom to publish in Eastern Europe'; ‘Resisting Authoritarianism'; ‘Déborder Bolloré Project'; ‘Freedom to publish and Decolonial Issues'; ‘Creating and Writing in a Context of Crisis: The Haitian Dilemma'…

Label of good editorial practices

Laurence Hugues — 2026-03-04T09:29:17Z

A label committed to the cultural, social, and political role of books and reading
‘Aware of our responsibility towards the future of our societies, the environment, and humanity; convinced that only joint and united action will make it possible to change the situation and reverse the dynamics of concentration, destruction, and domination of some over others, the members of the International Alliance of Independent Publishers reaffirm their commitment to decolonial, ecological, feminist, free, social, and united publishing (Pamplona-Iruñea Declaration, 2021). Through this label, we pledge to put sustainability and bibliodiversity into practice in each of our books.'

The cultural, social and economic added value of independent publishers is often little known outside professionals in the book and reading ecosystem, and goes unnoticed by readers. Similarly, among independent publishers, there are different ways of carrying out editorial work, more or less aligned with the good practices of sustainability and bibliodiversity that the publishers of the International Alliance of Independent Publishers defend.

Against this backdrop, the Spanish-language network of the International Alliance of Independent Publishers has decided to use this label to “explain” to readers and stakeholders in the book trade why publishing with a committed independent publisher is different from publishing with a multinational.

The label highlights three areas of editorial work: ecological, decolonial, social and solidarity-based.
Three guidelines have been drawn up for each of them.

ECOLOGICAL
1. The book has been printed locally (in the country/region where the publisher works) in order to reduce the carbon footprint generated by transport from other latitudes. It also contributes to the development of the local economy.
2. The print run of the book has been adjusted as closely as possible to its commercial potential, thus avoiding overstocking, which leads to excess use of raw materials and an increase in stored resources.
3. No additional plastic materials have been used other than those required for the book in the climatic conditions in which it was printed, in order to protect the environment and the quality and durability of the book.

DECOLONIAL
1. The publishing house publishes works in minority/local languages, thereby promoting plurality of content, democratising access to reading and encouraging the circulation of ideas beyond hegemonic languages.
2. The publishing house co-publishes with other independent publishers, in its own country or in other countries with the same language, in order to promote joint work, solidarity and the strengthening of local ecosystems.
3. The publishing house is a member of a local and/or international association of independent publishers working to strengthen bibliodiversity.

SOCIAL AND SOLIDARITY-BASED
1. For equal working hours, the pay gap within the publishing house will not exceed a scale of 1 to 3, in order to guarantee fair pay between employees.
2. Copyright is respected in accordance with current regulations, and a fair income has been agreed between the author and the publisher.
3. The publication promotes access to books beyond the logic of the market, encouraging the circulation of ideas by establishing a fair price that seeks to determine the most economic value possible for the work, taking into account the durability of the book and the editorial catalogue.

The label's visual identity was conceptualised and created by María Paz Morales (Chile): @dudoediciones

BookDAPer - a tool to anayse and improve the publication of eco-books, 2026

Laurence Hugues — 2026-02-09T11:16:18Z

An online workshop on book ecology, held on 20 January 2026.

This workshop was offered by the Institut de l'Ecoedició (an initiative launched by Pol·len Edicions – a member of the Alliance in Catalonia/Spain).

The Institute proposes analytical tools to manage and improve the publication of eco-books. In this workshop, the Institute's team shares their experience and practices and presents the BookDAPer (an environmental calculator for the publishers).

More information here: https://institutecoedicio.cat/lentitat/

Palestine Catalogue (solidarity with book professionals in Palestine)

Laurence Hugues — 2026-01-12T15:46:53Z

In October 2024, the members of the Alliance decided to create a space of solidarity with book professionals in Palestine, to promote and encourage the circulation of Palestinian texts across continents, and to make the voice of book professionals in Palestine heard.

This space is flexible and will take different formats.
In 2026, the Alliance is offering a catalogue of titles on Palestine (titles published by Palestinian publishing houses and/or about Palestine). This catalogue is based on titles proposed and recommended by Alliance members. The primary objective of this catalogue is to promote projects involving the transfer of rights, co-publications and translations of titles published in Palestine or about Palestine. It will be regularly updated and expanded.

In June 2025, Arabic-speaking publishers (including Palestinian publishers) and French-speaking publishers gathered in Tunis for meetings organised by the Alliance to present titles from their catalogue on Palestine, with a view to exchanging rights (transfer of rights, co-publications, translations).

During Babelica, on 24 and 25 September 2025, several activities have been scheduled:
• Readings of Palestinian texts by Palestinian authors;
• A round-table discussion with Palestinian book professionals.

See also the numerous activities carried out by the Publishers for Palestine (P4P) collective.

Freedom to publish in Eastern Europe, 2025

Laurence Hugues — 2025-12-19T11:03:00Z

Young democracies are fragile. How are Eastern European publishing houses fighting against the danger, ideology, hybrid war, propaganda, fake news and violence of the hegemonic forces within the post-communist space and times? What are the strategies of Ukrainian publishers to empower themselves in the war? How is Slovakian culture dealing with the incompetent and risky behaviour of several of its leaders? What are Bulgarian publishers most scared of within their practice? How can we inspire each other in our coping strategies? Are local writers able to become again strong voices of their society and change the political heading? What are the strategies of Eastern European publishing houses to place their work in the global book market? And what are the main subjects from the post-communist regions that have the potential to enrich the global culture, narrative and storytelling?

Speakers:

Antoinette Koleva (KX - Critique and Humanism Publishing House, Bulgaria)
Slava Svitova (Creative Women Publishing, Ukraine)
František Malík (BRaK, Slovakia)

Moderated by Barbora Baronová (wo-men, Czech Republic)

Esta mesa redonda tuvo lugar durante la edición 2025 de Babelica.

The right to read, resist, hope / International Conference of Independent Publishers, Fez, November 2027

Laurence Hugues — 2025-12-18T11:30:27Z

The right to read, resist, hope
The new generation speaks out

Initiated by the International Alliance of Independent Publishers, the Fez Conference is organised in collaboration with En toutes lettres in Morocco, which put forward Fez's candidacy to host this upcoming major event.

Common thread
Strengthening and promoting the values of the Alliance
In 2021, while the world was living to the rhythm of the Covid pandemic, preparations were underway for the 2021 Pamplona Conference, with one key word in mind: REthink. How would independent publishing be built “after”? What would be the responsibility of independent publishers in the transitions and transformations of tomorrow? How can we (re)affirm the role of bibliodiversity in building more emancipated, freer and fairer societies? The Declaration that came out of the Pamplona Conference reflected (and still reflects) the collective will of independent publishers to work “For a decolonial, ecological, feminist, free, social and united independent publishing”, recalling their commitment to the cultural, social and political nature of books and reading; the democratisation of books in society; reading as an emancipatory practice that forges the critical spirit of citizens, as active participants within their society.

Following the 2021 Conference, several initiatives were set up: a Guide to Good Practice, thematic working groups within the Bibliodiversity Observatory, the Babelica Book Fair dedicated to independent publishing on an international scale, translation and co-publishing projects, mapping, analyses, workshops, meetings, etc.. At the same time, the Alliance network has grown and welcomed new publishing houses (particularly in Asia and the Arab world). A lot has happened in 6 years.

The Conference will therefore continue the work and reflection that are at the heart of the Alliance network around these issues (book ecology, public book policies, freedom to publish, solidarity co-editions, digitalisation/ AI, etc.) and commitments made by independent publishers.
• Passion at the expense of health (mental, financial, physical...)?
• Which book for which reader?
• Status of book donations?
• What are the alternatives to industrial piracy?
• What are the uses and practices of AI for independent publishing? What are the possible “ethical” alternatives?
• What are the good ecological practices for publishers?
• What translations from so-called ‘minority' languages into the dominant languages?

Inclusive and welcoming; fostering dialogue and amplifying voices
The 2027 Conference is also shaped by several key words: ‘everyday' youth/ Gen Z/ LGBTQIA+ voices/ censorship (and the circumvention of censorship)/ mental health/ well-being/ safe spaces/ inclusion/ critical thinking...

A chaotic and bruised world
Since 2021, new conflicts have erupted around the world, and the violence of war has become a daily reality for more publishers. The rise of nationalism, conservatism and authoritarianism has spread throughout societies, with waves of racism and sexism threatening diversity (gender, religious, cultural, etc.). Natural disasters have multiplied, rendering us powerless spectators of a predicted climate crisis. Financial and technological empires have been formed and consolidated, imposing a standardisation of content, undermining the current book ecosystem and limiting freedom of expression and critical thinking.

It is in this increasingly chaotic and bruised world that we find ourselves 6 years on... A world where it is becoming difficult to listen to one another, to engage in dialogue, to disagree. A world where the debate of ideas and books is threatened (even banned), where censorship (and self-censorship) prevents a plurality of points of view and testimonies...

Spaces of solidarity and resistance
In this context of retreat, difficulties and even dangers for the expression and representation of all diversities, there are many spaces of solidarity and resistance on a small or large scale that achieve great things. These “safe spaces” can be helpful, unifying and hopeful. These spaces of solidarity and resistance will be at the heart of the forthcoming International Conference of Independent Publishers.
• How can we resist together?
• What are the means of circumventing the attacks on freedoms?
• What social and political role do books and publishers play?
• How do we discuss complex and sensitive issues in an intercultural context?
• How do we publish in times of crisis and war?
• How do we take care of ourselves, of these spaces of solidarity?

Other voices/ directions
In Indonesia, Madagascar, Morocco, Nepal, Peru... the Generation Z is on the streets, demanding new possibilities, calling for greater social justice and dreaming of a dignified life. This new generation will lead the Conference, thanks to a partnership with the School of Critical Thinking, an initiative run by En toutes lettres in conjunction with the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez. A group of students and emerging book professionals will develop the Conference programme, facilitate the debates and discussions and share their experiences and perspectives.
• How and around what issues is the new generation organising its resistance?
• What role and place do books and reading play in this resistance - and more broadly for the new generation?
• What are the ways in which Gen Z organise themselves and their knowledge?
• What are the hopes and utopias of young people?
• How can we build bridges (between cultures, generations, etc.)?

As a unique moment for the independent publishing movement, the Conference highlights another facet of the world of books, made up of a multitude of voices that are often marginalised and stifled. Based on intercultural dialogue, solidarity and a plurality of approaches, the Conference is a forum for discussion, reflection, research and action. It provides an overview of independent publishing worldwide (Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, the Arab world and Oceania): it sets the tone for the trends and issues that are shaping the world of books - and, more broadly, the state of the world.

More information here (document under development, currently being collectively constructed!):

Alliance's 2026 programme

Laurence Hugues — 2025-12-17T16:30:46Z

The Alliance's action plan 2026 is available here!

Australian Publishers Green Guide, 2024

Laurence Hugues — 2025-12-15T16:55:40Z

The Australian Publishers Association has published in 2024 a Green Guide dedicated to sustainable practices in publishing. This document highlights the environmental issues associated with book production and distribution, and offers concrete recommendations for reducing the ecological footprint of the publishing chain: choice of materials, printing, distribution, and raising awareness among industry stakeholders.

Consult the complete guide on the Australian Publishers Association website: Greener Publishing Guide