Digital Publishing Exchanges

Since 2007, the French-American Foundation has organized a series of professional exchanges for publishing professionals to share best practices in their fields and to establish ties between their respective institutions. The exchanges provide a platform for dialogue and an opportunity to exchange ideas by showcasing successful models and innovative approaches in each country.

In 2007, the French-American Foundation, in partnership with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy and the German Book office, launched study tours in Paris, Berlin and New York for senior editors and publishing professionals on the future of the book market and the state of literary-translation and intellectual exchanges between Europe and the U.S.A.:

French and German professionals invited to New York for the Brooklyn Book Festival (September 16-18, 2007)

• Oliver Cohen, Publisher, L'Olivier
• François Escaig, Deputy Director, Editions Allia
• Paul Otchakovsky-Laurens, Publsiher, P.O.L.
• Anne-Solange Noble, Foreign Right Director, Gallimard
• Jo Lendle, Senior Editor, DuMont Literatur und Kunst Verlag
• Michael Zoellner, Publisher, Tropen Verlag
• Gesche Wendenbourg, Foreign Rights Director, Random House, Germany

American professionals invited to France (February 10-17, 2007)

• Eric Banks, Editor-in-Chief, Bookforum
• John Cullen, Translator
• Karen Holt, Deputy Editor, Publishers Weekly
• Jenna Johnson, Editor, Harcourt
• Terry Karten, Senior Editor, Harper Collins
• Cressida Leyshon, Fiction Editor, The New Yorker
• Scott Moyers, Editor-in-Chief, Penguin Press
• Lorin Stein, Editor, Farrar Straus & Giroux
• Bruce Benderson, Virgin Books USA

In 2010 and 2011, the French-American Foundation invited publishing professionals from France and the United States to explore the future of the book market and how new technology is reshaping business practices in both countries.

French professionals invited to the USA (Nov 28 – Dec 3, 2010)

• Didier Borg, Editor, Graphic Novels & Children’s Books , Groupe Flammarion – Casterman
• Rémi Gimazane, Head of the Publishing and Bookselling Department, Ministry of Culture and Communication
• Bertrand Hugo, Tschann Bookstore
• Jean-Philippe Mochon, Head of International and Legal Affairs Division, Ministry of Culture and Communication
• Laure Paoli, Director, Practical Books Department, Albin Michel
• Olivier Postel Vinay, Journalist, Essayist, Founder of Books Magazine
• Narges Temimi, Editor and Project Manager, Libella Publishing

American professionals invited to France (Jan 23-28, 2011)

• Mitzi Angel, Head of FSG imprint Faber & Faber
• Peter Costanzo, Director of Digital Content for F+W Media
• Evan Schnittman, Managing Director Group Sales and Marketing, Print and Digital, Bloosmbury
• Ira Silverberg, Director of Foreign rights, Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc.