The Polish Book Institute

“The main aim of our visit is to promote Polish culture in Asia. We are constantly learning how to operate in Asian markets," Rafał Kosik, science-fiction writer and author of books for children and young adults, told Polish Press Agency (PAP) during the Taipei International Book Exhibition.

The Taipei International Book Exhibition TIBE, one of the most important events of its kind in the Far East, has been taking place in the Taiwanese capital Taipei since Tuesday. This is the first time Poland is appearing as Guest of Honour. The event includes meetings with Polish artists, concerts, and the tasting of Polish food. The fair will last until 5 February.

One of the writers who came to Taiwan is Rafał Kosik, whose novel Cyberpunk 2077: No Coincidence will be published this year in the US, the UK, and Poland.

Asked by PAP about his expectations from the fair, he said, "I know this market a bit and I know that it is not easy to sell something here, but we are trying. Anyway, the main purpose of our arrival was to promote Polish culture in Asia. We want to sell the rights to our books, not only mine, but also books published by Powergraph Publishing. We will see how it goes for us. It is certainly much easier for those who are already translated into English."

As he said, "we are only just discovering ways to expand into the Asian market". "We know how to operate in Western markets. We have managed to sell the rights to a couple of books to European countries. Most recently to Italy. I know how it works in the Anglo-Saxon market, it's very difficult there, but we know how. Here, we are constantly learning," he pointed out.

When asked if he enjoys meeting his readers, he replied, "I generally think a writer should sit in the basement and write. Sometimes you have to get out of that basement and meet people. These meetings are inspiring, they allow more interaction, and I learn what these readers would like to read. Then, I wonder whether to fulfil those expectations or write as I did before." "I usually fulfil them," Kosik added.

He assessed that "it is definitely more difficult to write for younger readers because they are more demanding readers"."They get bored quicker. And if the story isn't interesting for the first few pages, they won't read any further. Orson Scott Card, the American science fiction writer, once said that if a book doesn't interest him after the first fifty pages, he doesn't continue reading it. For a young reader, it is more like two or three pages," he stressed.

The main organiser of the Polish presentation are the Book Institute and the Polish Office in Taipei. They are partnered by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the National Library, the Pilecki Institute, and the International Cultural Centre. The project was co-financed by funds from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as part of the task 'Poland as Guest of Honour at the TIBE 2023 International Book Exhibition in Taipei'.

source: From Taipei Katarzyna Krzykowska, Polish Press Agency (PAP)