book fair

Frankfurt Book Fair 2019 – Retrospective View

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Canada-Booth

 

The 2019 Frankfurt International Book Fair just ended and saw the number of visitors hitting a new record of more than 300,000, according to its organizer.  The International Book Fair was an extremely busy place – situated in several huge buildings.  Hundreds of publishers from Canada showed their books off at the fair – next year the country will be the “Guest of Honour” in Frankfurt.
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Olga Tokarczuk
Polish author Olga Tokarczuk was named the winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature and Tokarczuk had been added to the opening press conference at Frankfurter Buchmesse.  She has seen a wave of literary recognition in the past year. She won the 2018 Man Booker International Prize for “Flights”.  Tokarczuk is one of only 15 women to win the Nobel Prize in Literature!
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Charming Presentation
The best presentation in Frankfurt had Austria – not only due to free coffee, cookies, namely “Manner Schnitten” which were offered freely.  They showcased very interesting books, not only novels and memoirs of famous Austrians but also non-fiction books about climate change, organic agriculture, etc.  Everyone at their booth was friendly and charming, just the way the Austrians are. I lived in the country for many years and I had been missing their way of life a lot in North America.

Austria-Booth

 

From children’s books about reducing plastic to tips for zero-waste cooking, the climate crisis was dominating this year’s Frankfurt book fair.

7,400 Exhibitors from 104 Countries and Regions!
Besides the publishers and publishing organizations, printing companies, translators, editors, book cover designers, print-on-demand companies, agents, audiobook and podcast producers, book agents, voiceover artists, and many more organizations that are dedicated to all kinds of books had a presence.
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Chinese Art Exhibition
The installation “China Through Time” was brought to an overseas book fair for the first time and was an eye-catching project at the book fair’s THE ARTS+ exhibition area.  It was a wonderful example of the effort to showcase the arts through new technologies.
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Sami

 

Margaret Atwood
“No”, the voices of women are not loud enough yet – Booker Prize winner Margaret Atwood was talking about feminism at the Literary Gala – and said: “Wars are always especially bad for women and women’s rights”.
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International License Dealers
With 355 agencies from 35 countries, approximately as many companies as in the previous year have registered at the Literary Agents & Scouts Centre.  They had plenty of books in their luggage to talk about.  If the deals announced from the USA in recent days are a barometer, the mood among American exhibitors is clearly on the upswing.

ART-at-FBM

The new “Frankfurt Audio”, an area of more than 600 square meters for audiobook publishers and streaming platforms, debuted at this year’s book fair, putting a spotlight on one of the media industry’s fastest-growing segment worldwide.  It’s all about audio! The Frankfurt Audio Summit on 17 October, 2 pm – 5 pm, addressed the biggest trends and challenges in audio markets worldwide.  Speakers included Michael Krause from Spotify, Michele Cobb from the Audio Publishers Association and Bradley Metrock from Score Publishing.
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Frankfurt-Downtown

Highlights of Some of the Most Interesting Author Presentations:

Colson Whitehead
With his novel “The Underground Railroad” about the secret escape network of slaves during the U.S. colonial era, Colson Whitehead not only headed the NYT bestseller list for weeks but also won the renowned Pulitzer Prize.  His new novel “The Nickel Boys” is also about deep-rooted racism in American society.  During the Frankfurt International Book Fair Whitehead gave signings and interviews.

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Reinhold Messner
He is the most famous mountaineer in the world. He was the first person to climb all fourteen eight-thousanders, including Mount Everest without oxygen for the first time.
His new book “Der Eispapst – Die Akte Welzenbach” is a homage to a mountaineer who was not interested in power or ideology, but in joie de vivre and self-expression.  Messner signed on Saturday in different halls and on Sunday morning he appeared in the event area “Save the Mountains”.
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Nele Neuhaus
With her Taunus crime thrillers about the investigators Pia Kirchhoff and Oliver von Bodenstein, Nele Neuhaus has gained the hearts of her readers.  Her novels regularly conquer the bestseller lists, the film adaptations reach an audience of millions.  She has signed at several book events at the fair.
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Frankfurt-Book-Fair

 

Soon my feet were burning from hours and hours of walking through all the Fair halls.  It is a huge affair, indeed!  Wi-Fi is not only offered at the fairground and halls but also in all subways, trains, and streetcars in Hamburg.

The next Frankfurt Book Fair (Buchmesse) 2020 will be staged between the 14th to 18th of October – come and see yourself this wonderful event!

More Photo Impressions from Frankfurt and the World’s Largest Literary Meeting:

Frankfurt-Trainstation

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Frankfurt-Heritage.

Leipzig-BuchMesse

 

 

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Intl. Book Fair 2016 Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurter-BuchmessePhoto K. Johansson
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The most important publishing industry event of the year, takes place in 2016 from October 19 to 23: The Frankfurt International Book Fair. During these five days in October, it is THE PLACE TO BE – for authors, publishers, and book lovers.
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With 275,000 visitors, 7,275 international exhibitors and 9,300 journalists and bloggers Frankfurt is a great platform to show books, including self-publishers. Present your title, book a slot or participate at one of the discussions and workshops. 15 insider tips for exhibitors at book fairs can be found in one of our blog articles:  Planning to Exhibit at a Book Fair?

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The internationalization of the publishing sector continues to accelerate rapidly, a fact reflected in the strongly cosmopolitan networking pursued at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the most important in the world.
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30th Frankfurt Rights Meeting.
For 30 years, the “Who’s Who” of the international trade in rights and licenses has been meeting and networking at the Frankfurt Rights Meeting (formerly International Rights Directors Meeting). This year is all about Surprising Successes in Challenging Times. High profile speakers will look at this intriguing topic from an array of different angles, providing the audience with valuable insight into their strategic thinking. Different success stories, one promise: Market knowledge, inspiration and network!

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Guests of Honor
Flanders & the Netherlands together will be the Guest of Honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2016.  A look ahead: In 2020 most likely Canada will have this pleasure – a wonderful opportunity and an unprecedented boost to Canada’s literary industry with a year-long spotlight on the country’s cultural sector.

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Industry Insights, Inspiration, International Trends.
International experts present and highlight leading trends and forecasts for the media industry.  Business Ticket holders have the opportunity to meet international decision makers and pioneers in the industry.  Get connected; every day in the Business Club starts with a Business Breakfast and ends with a Happy Hour (sounds promising, doesn’t it?)

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Get an Impression of the Fair.
See a life Video from the International Frankfurt Book Fair on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yz_uI8pE0U

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More Tips for your Visit:

To make your book fair visit even more pleasant:

  • Wear Comfortable Shoes
  • Bring Water Bottles and a Sandwich or Chocolate (long lines, high prices)
  • Don’t forget your Business Card (lots of Fishbowls to win something)

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Two different tickets for trade visitors are available:
Trade visitor ticket: Book before 31 August 2016 and save 20% PLUS: Subscribe by 31 August 2016 for the Business Club Newsletter and get the chance to win one of three 6-day tickets BUSINESS! Go to the registration form: www.buchmesse.de/en/businessclub/raffle.
Access to the Frankfurt Book Fair 9 am – 6.30 pm

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Frankfurt-Roemer
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Tickets include free Public transport in Frankfurt/ Rhine-Main area.  It is very easy to use the many subways and trams in Frankfurt. No need to book an expensive hotel room near the center.  There are great hotels in cities and towns around Frankfurt, such as Wiesbaden, Offenbach, Bad Homburg and each one has a fast-train connection to the fair.  One year I stayed at a beautiful castle in Darmstadt for a low price and reached the fair in less than 30 minutes – very comfortable and convenient.

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Stay at Least Two More Days in Frankfurt.
There is so much to do and to see, from the famous medieval city centre “The Roemer” to the “Goethehouse”, the “Palmgarten”, modern art museums and certainly day-trips into the Rhine Wine villages with their many enchanting castles . Get some suggestions here.
Last but not least, try the local fare and the famous apple cider.

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Outlook: 2015 Frankfurt Book Fair

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Frankfurt.
The Frankfurt International Book Fair 2015, the most important in the world, will take place from October 14 – 18.  Here are a couple of tips for authors who attend – an overwhelming experience – strolling through the huge fairgrounds and go afterwards for an “Apple-Woi”.

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“International Self-Publishing and Author Programme”
For the third time, Indie authors and self-publishing companies are invited to Hall 6 on Saturday, October 17 for a day-long program (9am – 5pm) on new developments and opportunities for self-publishers.  Self-publishing has grown around the world to become a strong and vibrant community. It has become a tradition over the last three years for international indie authors and service companies to meet on Saturday of the Frankfurt Book Fair.  In 2014, authors from over 30 countries attended.  Don’t forget: the Frankfurt Intl. Book Fair is also the place to find Foreign Rights agents, and international publishers!
For questions please contact German Book Office New York, Inc., Michelle Turnbach, email: turnbach@book-fair.com

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Free Admission for Refugees
The Frankfurt Book Fair offers free admission and tours for refugees.  Native speakers will be showing them around on October 17 and 18, according to Juergen Boos from the Frankfurt Fair.  More about this offer in German language at Spiegel Online.

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Business Club Sessions

  • one-on-one consulting from Lynette Owen, a famous book rights expert, who has written several books on negotiating book rights. Or this one:
  • “Learnings from the Best PR Flops” by three German-language public relations pros.

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Guests of Honor
Indonesia: 17,000 Islands of Imagination. Meet authors and books of a world between myths, mysticism and modernity.  See two short videos about literature in Indonesia.
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Pre-Event on Tuesday, Oct 13
Don’t miss the seven markets for international business, and include strong and vibrant publishing regions, such as China, Turkey, USA, Germany, South Korea, Mexico and Indonesia. Download the free White Paper for these publishing markets here.

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Class Room of the Future
Are you a teacher, or somewhat involved in education?  Meet developers and providers of innovative educational content, such as interactive learning and whiteboard software, suppliers of innovative teaching and learning concepts, online learning tools, mobile learning, e-learning solutions, web applications.
Visit the exclusive stage for exhibiting and presenting digital products for the education sector!

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Industry Insights, Inspiration, International Trends
International experts present and highlight leading trends and forecasts for the media industry.  Business Ticket holders have the opportunity to meet international decision makers and pioneers in the industry. Get connected: every day in the Business Club starts with a Business Breakfast and ends with a Happy Hour  : )

Get a Speakers Overview, just click on their pic and read more what their presentations are about.
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Get an Impression of the Fair
See a life Video from the International Frankfurt Book Fair on YouTube.
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More Tips for your Visit:
To make your book fair visit even more pleasant:

  • Wear Comfortable Shoes
  • Bring Water Bottles and a Sandwich or Chocolate (long lines, high prices)
  • Don’t forget your Business Card (lots of Fishbowls to win something)

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There are two different tickets for trade visitors available:

1. Trade visitor ticket
Access to the Frankfurt Book Fair from 9 am – 6.30 pm

2. Trade visitor ticket BUSINESS
Access to the Frankfurt Book Fair from 8 am – 8 pm
The Business Club at the Frankfurt Book Fair offers its members a comprehensive range of valuable services and a whole new way to experience the Book Fair.
Both types of tickets include free public transportation within the Frankfurt/ Rhine-Main area. Which brings me to another topic: Transportation.  It is very easy to use the many subways and trams in Frankfurt. There is no need to book an expensive hotel room near the center.  Discover many great hotels in cities and towns around Frankfurt, such as Wiesbaden, Offenbach, Bad Homburg and each one has a fast-train connection to the fair.  One year I even stayed at a beautiful castle in Darmstadt for an amazingly low price and reached the fair in less than 30 minutes – very comfortable and convenient.

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Stay at Least Two More Days in Frankfurt
There is so much to do and to see, from the famous medieval city centre “The Roemer” to the “Goethehouse”, the “Palmengarten”, modern art museums and certainly day-trips into the Rhine wine villages with their many enchanting castles.  Get some suggestions here. Last but not least try the local fare and the famous apple cider (Apple Woi).

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If you would like to get a mentor and our support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer for three months all this and more for only $179 – or less than $2 per day!  Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting / Book Marketing for your success: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

To learn more about professional book marketing and publishing, please read also “Book Marketing on a Shoestring
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UAVL3LE

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Book Fairs: The Do’s and Don’ts

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Chicago

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During these last days of the old year, equipped with brand new calendars, you might be sitting down to plan the marketing for your book(s) in 2014. Which Book Fairs or other Literary Events will you attend in the coming months to present your work?
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Carefully Check Out the Fair Organizer
Before you sign up and spend any money, let the organizers show you how they promote this book fair in detail. Don’t settle for general statements, such as: “We advertise everywhere in the area” or “Our clients post it all over the Internet and on Social Media”. Rather inquire and ask detailed questions:

  • How many shows did they previously organize and how was the outcome?
  • Which advertisements did they purchase for this upcoming book fair?
  • To which audience (in follower numbers) and how often do they announce it on Social Media?
  • Which articles did they prepare and where will it be published, and to how many readers?
  • What is the percentage of recurring exhibitors?
  • Can they give you names of exhibitors / authors you might contact about their experience?
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Make sure that organizing a book fair is not an attempt for this company to make a fast buck, but rather to promote authors and their books, considering that you have the cost of buying a table, transportation / parking costs, promoting, maybe accommodation and restaurant bills or even expenses to have a helper at your booth.
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These tips might help you to evaluate if it is worth to attend the book fair.  I visited lots of great organized and promoted exhibitions – but here is an example how the event organizers and even authors can spoil the experience for visitors:
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Can it Get Any Worse?
Last Fall I attended a Book Fair, organized by a large group of author-publishers. My expectations were pretty low, as I feared, it was not sufficiently advertised, such as in their earlier book events.  And it was in fact even worse…
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Barely Advertised:
Instead of writing articles about the show, listing the authors that were present and rave about their books – and distribute these articles at least through all the local papers for free – there was nothing publicized…. Not even on Google+ nor on Goodreads’ free event sites was this book fair advertised, which would have cost them not a dime.
Only one promotional article about one of the organizers was published, also not directly about the show, but rather about his achievements in writing a huge number of books (which averaged exactly 72 copies sold per title…).
The book fair was neither advertised at local online magazines nor in print (for a very low fee) in newspaper event pages. Even their own website did not show a proper invitation for the public – instead an announcement for members to purchase a table at the show.  Members were encouraged to send out tweets to the public to purchase a table!  Did they mean instead of visiting a book fair to rent their tables? A promotional disaster!
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Inconvenient Layout:
The book fair was set up on the second floor of a recreational facility. The room itself was very long and narrow, a wheel chair could barely roll through between the tables, without touching books and throwing them to the floor. I watched as visitors were polite and stepped back or sidewards to let wheel chairs pass. When looking at the books or purchase something, the people in wheelchairs felt embarrassed as they blocked inadvertenly the whole aisle.

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Self-Published-Looking Book Covers
Only two of about 150 books showed a professional cover – all others screamed: “self-published”. OK, some of the covers could work for a print book, potential customers in bookstores could read all the details on the front and back cover, but they were mostly available as e-books too, and I imagined them on Internet retailer sites, among many other books with professional covers displayed … where they would be difficult to read due to the small print.

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Lack of Displays
Most of the books were laid out flat on the tables and visitors had to lean over in order to read the title. There are so many inexpensive Acryl presentations available to show books upright!  Just visit a trade book fair, such as Book Expo NY, Frankfurt Book Fair and see how professional publishing houses present their books. Or get a video from these fairs on YouTube to see how a book presentation should look like.

Only one of the authors at the show had a background display – a real attention-grabber – showcasing the cover of one of his titles. It was one of these roll-out display posters that one can carry very easily, being not much bigger than a golf umbrella when dissembled ……. URL
Other book exhibitors did not invest a single dollar in display and had in the best case a copy of their book cover or a 8×11′ black & white computer print-out “poster” with the book title on it, pinned to the wall behind them.

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No Credit Cards
Everybody knows how easy it is to spend money when you don’t have to pay with cash. I overheard several times that patrons said: “I have to leave it with this one book, as I don’t have enough cash with me”. Another said: “I just found out by chance about this book exhibition, but I don’t have any money with me”.
So, why not making it easy for customers and accept credit cards or any of the new ways of paying digitally? Nothing easier than this: use one of these “Square Cards” or bring your smart phone of iPad with you and let people pay, using their PayPal account – or even better, sending you the money by email / online banking (available at Canadian bank accounts, not sure if available in other countries) – right at your exhibition booth! Make it as easy as possible for people to buy your books!

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Approachable or Unfriendly?
For a couple of hours I watched authors how they approached potential patrons, at their book tables. I asked everyone of the authors, why they wrote this book (lots of memoirs there!), what’s the background of their novel, or how long it took them to write it, how they were promoted it. It was a mixed bag: Some where cheerful talking about their writing process, the background story etc., while others only asked which one of their books I wanted to buy, and when I was not taking out my purse right away, they turned around and talked with their neighbors. Wow, I was pretty astonished – and guess who’s books I bought?

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One Book Seller Stood Out
Her book, Kathleen’s Cariole Ride was available in print and digital form. She bundled both, similar to the book bundles that Amazon offers now. And almost everyone of her print book customers bought a digital version too, which she offered for only $1 at a promotional price, either for themselves or as a gift. How she did it? She brought two tools her: an iPad and a small poster. As soon as someone declared to buy the paperback, she pointed out to her poster and showed them her Amazon page on her iPad. When readers saw the official book price on Amazon and compared it to her offer at the book show, they could not resist to get the e-book too.
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Conclusion:
Why make all the effort to write and spend the money to publish a book?  I know that some of these authors at the book show had paid thousands of dollars to a Vanity book company to get their book(s) “published”. Why then not invest a couple of dollars in presenting their work properly?
Again: Writing is an art – Publishing is a business! I hope these examples give you food for thought and encourage you to present your books professional at this year’s book shows. And a word to book show organizers: Don’t just fleece authors and sell tables, but offer them value in promoting the book event professionally. You can do it even for free, using all these new media possibilities out there!

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
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to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.

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Tagged: BEA, book display, Book Expo America, book fair, book selling, book show, event organizers, Frankfurt Book Fair, Kathleen's Cariole Ride, Margaret Kell, Organizer of Book Fair, OTTAWA

6 Bullets on How an Author and Book Find a Community

Reblogged from cozybookbasics:

Writing books is all about community so beware of self publishing.
http://gilesbenaway.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/self-publishing-
wannabe-writers-beware/

Having read the above blog, I'm more excited than ever about being at the upcoming OIW Book Fair on Oct. 27 with fellow authors and readers. As for debates over whether to self-publish or with a traditional publisher, or as an e-book, I'd like to add these bullets from my 15 years of trying.

Read more… 587 more words

. Experiences of a Writer in Print and eBook Publishing Margaret Kell-Virany, one of the authors you can meet at the Ottawa, Canada, Book Fair this coming weekend (October 26 and 27 at the RA Center, free admission) writes about her path to becoming a self-publisher, both in print and digital.  . Ottawa-Parliament . HullMusHallTorsten BigSpider_National GalleryOttawa.