IV Programme
Good writing knows no boundaries.
The International Visitors (IV) Programme provides a valuable cultural and economic exchange between Canada’s publishing community and some of the most influential publishing figures from around the world. Since its inception in 2008, it has generated visibility and marketability for Canadian literature abroad, by introducing international publishers to the Canadian literary scene, and strengthening relationships with international counterparts that have led to new business development initiatives and the creation of new literary works.
The IV Programme operates as an informal rights fair, providing Canadian authors, publishers and agents an unprecedented opportunity to secure international rights and distribution deals. Over 300 fellows have taken part in the programme. See the fellows from 2020–2024 here.
Fall 2025 IV Programme
This year will mark the IV Programme’s 18th iteration, taking place October 28–November 1, during the Toronto International Festival of Authors (October 29–November 2, 2025).
Below is the list of fellows and delegates selected to be part of this years programme. Thank you to all who applied and we hope to hear from you next year!
IV Delegates
- Boluwatito Sanusi, Cassava Republic Press (Nigeria)
- Yasmin Santos, Companhia das Letras (Brazil)
- Bénédicte Lombardo, Editions du Seuil (France) – Supported by Institut Francais du Canada and Ambassade de France Au Canada.
- Barbara Cichy, Jagiellonian University Press (Poland)
- Emeline Colpart, Fleuve Editions – Univers Poche (France) – Supported by Institut Francais du Canada and Ambassade de France Au Canada.
- Anna Mioni, AC² Literary Agency (Italy)
- Nestoras Poulakos, Vakxikon Publications (Greece)
- Suvi Salmela, Bazar Kustannus (Finland)
- Eve Gleichman, Liz Gately Book Scouting (USA)
- Andrea Walker, Harper Collins (USA)
- Loan Le, Simon & Schuster (USA)
Canadian Fellows
- Norman Nehmetallah, Invisible Publishing (New Brunswick)
- Maxime Raymond, Les éditions de ta mère (Quebec)
Distinguished Guest
- Louisa Joyner, Faber (United Kingdom)
Ivy Award 2025
The 18th edition of the International Visitors (IV) Programme, in association with the Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA), announced that Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm will be the 14th recipient of the Ivy Award, given annually to an individual who has made a substantial contribution to Canadian publishing. Akiwenzie-Damm will be honoured during the 2025 Ivy Award & Conversation taking place at Victoria University in the University of Toronto during the Toronto International Festival of Authors on Wednesday October 29, at 2:00pm (ET). The event will also feature Keynote Speaker Louisa Joyner, Associate Publisher, Faber. Read the full press release here.
IV Programme Committee
- Carolyn Forde (Co-Chair), Partner, Senior Literary Agent, Transatlantic Agency
- Jennifer Lambert (Co-Chair), Editor in Chief, HarperCollins Canada
- Emily Ferko, Sales and Rights Director, ECW Press
- Olga Filina, Literary Agent, Five Otter Literary
- Roland Gulliver, Director, Toronto International Festival of Authors
- Muna Hussien, Simon & Schuster
- Hazel Millar, Co-publisher, Book*Hug Press
- Jay MillAr, Co-publisher, Book*Hug Press
- Meredith Pal, Assistant Editor, Penguin Canada
The IV Programme is gratefully supported by:
“The IV programme is a fully immersive experience. One well worth the time investment for any Canadian independent publishing professional with an interest in the goings-on of both the Canadian and international publishing landscapes. Intense, but so much fun!”
Karen McMullin, 2023 IV Programme Canadian Fellow
National Publicist/Export Manager, Nimbus Publishing
“I enjoyed the programme enormously. It was so well organized: the perfect balance between networking, meeting Canadian authors, visiting the offices of the agencies, publishing houses and independent bookstores, going to the festival and see authors perform, and above all: learning about Canadian publishing in every sense. I’ve brought with me a long list of authors to read, and to keep an eye on in the future – for me and my colleagues in our house. Thank you so much for inviting me over.”
Esther Hendriks, 2023 IV Programme Fellow
Commissioning Editor, Singel Publishers
