Latest news from Frankfurt

The latest news publishers and writers from the biggest publishing event in Europe, Frankfurt Book Fair 2012.

And a couple of words about my latest memories about the Frankfurt Book Fair. Two years ago, I was one of the millions of visitors heading to visit the fair, in one of the many rainy afternoons. It was crowded, but everything was well organized and you were immediately directed to the good entrance from the first seconds of the arrival to the platform of the train.

My big disappointment was to not be able to get any of the wonderful books displayed on the shelves of the participating countries. When I decided to go to visit the book fair, I calculated all my savings for books for the coming months and thought that it will be my business of the year to go there and get amazing titles in several languages at significant discount. My first encounter was at the Pavilion of France, where I jumped enthusiastically to grab some new released titles. The disappointment occured when I started to look for a place to pay, as I was told that the books are not for sale and further explained that unless I am not a publisher or an author looking for one - I was obviously nothing else than a humblre reader - I am left with the choice of visiting the fair and getting some leaflets. My adventure in the world of books ended up with a voyeurist wandering between the generous shelves with the books I could not have it. 

The days when writing is a failure

My writing story is the following: I always wanted to be paid for words - since my 17 yo illumination moment when I've read Virginia Woolf's diary. With hard work, I succeeded to be what I wanted to be, and spent most part of my life around and with words. In different languages.

Despite various personal choices and the impossibility to refuse some out-of-the-writing-box professional challenges, I continue to consider myself a writer and I published many articles and books and I am planning to do so till the last word.

However, there are some days, when even the most stupid wording is a big unsuccessful trial. Like, for instance, a couple of 150-word clothes descriptions a couple of days ago. A ridiculously simple task did not get the minimal approval and the collaboration ended up after less than 3 days. Today, I got a fabulous feed-back from a client, for a paper that I did fast, without too much editing. And this situation happens at least 3 times the month. In 100% of the cases, is the same hand typing the words and the same brain knitting the sentences. When I am too happy with the content, I receive some bad news, when I am relaxed the feed-back may be fabulous. And I continue to get my money as a freelance writer and editor. 

Of course that after 5,000 words, one may not expect to be coherent and successful, even when the only words you should write are those that make your name. But this is how it works when you get your bread from writing. Sometimes I am too much caught by the pleasure of writing and regardless of the commercial result of my work, I continue to be happy.