Indiecon 2023 going ahead in Hamburg's Oberhafen

16 August 2023

Independent publishing festival to showcase independent publishers and solo publishers from September 1-3, 2023

More than 120 independent publishers from all over the world are expected at this year's Indiecon festival for independent publishers underway from September 1-3, 2023 in the Gleishalle in Hamburg's Oberhafen. The supporting programme features, talks, workshops and roundtables on the latest issues in the scene and what lies ahead. Publishers and solo publishers will present their publications, magazines and zines i.e., a magazine or fanzine as well as books, comics and art prints. Admission is free. A Trade Visitor's Ticket will give delegates access to trade and networking events.

Issues in independent publishing

Four experts have curated different thematic worlds for Indiecon 2023. The designer and publisher Jae Kyung Kim has compiled the agenda of the "Publishing Planet" Artist Books section. Johanna Maierski, a publisher, will focus on tools for small publishers. Meanwhile, the British publisher Steven Watson has curated The "Planet" indie magazines section while writer Lubi Barre will take a closer look at storytelling. The "Publishing Planets" section will be accompanied by an exhibition and include workshops, presentations, talks and roundtables. More than 2,500 delegates and exhibitors from 20 countries come together every year for the festival.

Indiecon's 2023 conference

Launched as a conference in 2014, Indiecon's latest conference will feature the editorial team of the Ukrainian magazine "Solomiya" and their work since Russia launched a war of aggression on their country. Be Oakley from Gender Fail in New York and Johanna Maierski from Colorama in Berlin will talk about accessing and representation for small publishing companies. Sheeko Ismail, a representative of the Black Children's Library, and Millicent Adjei of the Arca e.V., will give insight into urgently-needed Black archives and libraries. Indiecon is organised by Die Brueder, an editorial and design office based in Hamburg and Berlin. More information can be found on the website.

nj/pb