IV Programme

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Good writing knows no boundaries.

The 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, the IV Programme 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 takes place every fall during the Toronto International Festival of Authors—Canada’s longest-running literary festival and one of the largest in the world—over the course of several days of structured inter-industry dialogue and events. Activities are led by distinguished professionals and include quick pitch meetings that lead to rights acquisitions of Canadian works, networking opportunities, as well as presentations on such topics as negotiation, industry trends and changes, international rights and niche publishing. Modelled on similar successful programmes in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and the UK, the IV Programme operates as an informal rights fair, providing Canadian authors, publishers and agents an unprecedented opportunity in securing international rights and distribution deals. Over 300 fellows have taken part in the programme. See the fellows from 2020–2022 here.

The 16th edition of the IV Programme will take place September 25–29, 2023.

2023 IV Fellows

Marine Alata headshot

Marine Alata (HarperCollins France, France)

Lexy Cassola headshot

Lexy Cassola (Penguin Random House, New York)

Esther Hendriks headshot

Esther Hendriks (Singel Publishers, Netherlands)

Lauren Hook headshot

Lauren Hook (Feminist Press, New York)

Paivi Koivisto-Alanko headshot

Paivi Koivisto-Alanko (Tammi, Finland)

Martyna Kowalewska headshot

Martyna Kowalewska (Booklab Literary Agency, Poland)

Katrin Kroll headshot

Katrin Kroll (Rowohlt Verlag, Germany)

Sarah Pocklington headshot

Sarah Pocklington (London Literary Scouting, United Kingdom)

Distinguished Guests

Luke Brown headshot

Luke Brown (Serpent’s Tail, United Kingdom)

Lettice Franklin headshot

Lettice Franklin (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, United Kingdom)

Lisa Sharkey headshot

Lisa Sharkey (HarperCollins Publishers, New York)

Canadian Fellows

Bethany Gibson headshot

Bethany Gibson (Goose Lane Editions, New Brunswick)

Matthew Joudrey headshot

Matthew Joudrey (At Bay Press, Manitoba)

Karen McMullan headshot

Karen McMullin (Nimbus Publishing, Toronto)

Ivy Award Receipient

Alana Wilcox's headshot

Alana Wilcox, Editorial Director of Coach House Books (Toronto)

Keynote Speaker

Susan Swan's headshot

Susan Swan, author, journalist and professor, Order of Canada member and co-founder of the Carol Shields Prize For Fiction (Toronto)

IV Programme Committee

  • Carolyn Forde (Co-Chair), Partner, Senior Literary Agent & International Rights Director, Transatlantic Agency
  • Jennifer Lambert (Co-Chair), Senior Editorial Director, HarperCollins Canada
  • Emily Ferko, Sales and Rights Director, ECW Press
  • Olga Filina, Literary Agent, Five Otter Literary
  • Maria Golikova, Senior Managing Editor, Doubleday Canada, Penguin Random House Canada
  • Roland Gulliver, Director, Toronto International Festival of Authors
  • Hazel Millar, Co-publisher, Book*Hug Press
  • Jay Millar, Co-publisher, Book*Hug Press
  • Synora Van Drine, Sales Manager, Portage & Main Press

The IV Programme is gratefully supported by:

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