The Frankfurt Global Network: A Spotlight on International Markets

Frankfurt Global Network program

Earlier this year, the Frankfurt Fellowship and the Frankfurt Invitation Program were combined into a single initiative called the Frankfurt Global Network. The program brings publishing professionals from many countries to Frankfurt and Zurich for curated visits and industry-focused activities.

Participants follow an agenda that includes meetings at publishing houses and bookstores, market presentations, guided city and industry tours, matchmaking sessions, and extensive networking opportunities. The overall goal is to strengthen international connections and deepen mutual understanding of different book markets.

Voices from participating markets

Publishing Perspectives interviewed several members of the current cohort to learn more about their roles and the situations in their home publishing industries. The conversations highlight how local political, economic, and technological trends shape what gets published and how books reach readers.

One participant explains that part of the job today is to develop content with strong potential for streaming platforms. Out of approximately 180 titles per year at that company, about 100 are created primarily for the streaming market, and not all of those titles appear in print.

Slovakia: rich but uncertain environment

A representative from Slovakia notes that, for a relatively small country, the domestic book market offers a surprisingly broad range of titles covering diverse themes and literary styles. Readers have access to both original Slovak works and a significant number of translations, and recent years have been described as an unusually dynamic period for publishing.

However, there was a recent political takeover of the Arts Council, which had been an effective support mechanism and a key factor in this surge of publishing activity. Concern now focuses on how the appointment of politically motivated board members—people whose previous funding applications were rejected—might affect the diversity and quality of future publications.

Denmark: a highly digital book market

Another participant, speaking about Denmark, emphasizes that it has become a strongly digitalized book market. Around 29% of adults in Denmark currently have access to a book streaming service, and about 24% pay for such a service.

The Danish market has been under pressure for several years, but there are indications that it is stabilizing. After a period of decline, total turnover increased again in 2024, driven mainly by print sales, while digital formats—including streaming—continue to expand.

Participant perspective (selected quote)

“Out of roughly 180 titles a year, around 100 are aimed directly at the streaming market – and not all of them are printed.”

This quote illustrates how some publishers now design a significant part of their output primarily for digital consumption, especially audio and other streaming formats.

Author’s summary

The Frankfurt Global Network shows how closely connected world publishing has become, revealing both promising digital opportunities and new political risks for markets from Slovakia to Denmark.

Publishing Perspectives — 2025-11-25