Held October 14-18, the 2020 virtual Frankfurt Book Fair saw more than 200,000 people visit the fair's primary website, as well as the public-facing Bookfest, to access a wide range of free programs and presentations, reports Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly senior writer.

“Talks by bestselling authors Ibram X. Kendi, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Edward Snowden attracted 1.5 million viewers on Facebook alone—which is massive,” Albanese says.

At its core, Frankfurt is a rights fair, where publishes and agents from around the world hunt for deals. According to Book Fair president CEO Juergen Boos, Frankfurt typically hosts 700 to 800 literary agents at the fair’s coveted tables. Any concerns that interest might flag in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic were misplaced, however.

“The digital Frankfurt Rights platform saw 4,165 sign up, with some 400,000 titles listed on the platform,” Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally.

“And the volume of deals was actually pretty good – there was even a book of the fair, as reported by my colleague Rachel Deahl. Bonnie Garmus's debut novel, Lessons in Chemistry, selling for a rumored $2 million to Lee Boudreaux at Doubleday.”