(Very) big names and a revolution for the Royat book fair

For the visitor, the change may be imperceptible. One room replaces another. A more substantial round table schedule. But basically, it is a small revolution that the Royat-Chamalières book fair is starting for its eleventh edition.

Towards professionalization

After being created and supported by the A lire les authors association, the event is becoming more professional. The Les Volcans bookstore is getting organized. “We want to take the show to a new level. We use DNA from the library. » A guarantee of quality in the words of Boris Surjon. Today, Les Volcans has become an essential player in cultural life in Clermont. The locals may not realize it, but in the Parisian publishing world, the Clermont bookstore now has its own napkin ring.

Gaël Faye, Maylis de Kerangal, the people and the faithful… Who are the first names of the Brive Book Fair?

Another central arrival for this show, David Ducreux. Twenty years spent at Gallimard, and also at… Detailing his CV here would be too long, but his telephone directory would make any bookworm faint.

Cécile Coulon, at the Volcanoes

Fewer authors, more meetings

For both men, the first objective is to be recognized by the National Book Center. “There are 3,000 literary events in France every year. 110 are supported by the CNL. »And this will be the case for Royat.
Concretely, the show is refocusing on literature. Story and fiction. Fewer authors. Where Royat was able to accommodate up to 130, the gauge will be around 80. Paid, as required by the CNL. Authors who will not only come for signings. 100% of guests will participate in round tables this year. “With the idea of ​​talking a little about the internal kitchen. To reveal yourself, explains David Ducreux. It is no longer a place of sale, but a place of meetings. » Selling, OK, but above all a writer likes to talk about his work.

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Attractive round tables

Two evenings will take place outside the site. Opening on Friday at 6 p.m., the Fontmaure space in Chamalières will welcome the star author of the edition, Michel Bussi, with the co-writer of the adaptation of Rien ne t’efface, filmed in Puy-de-Dôme.

Emma Becker, who has just published Le Mal Joli: “Passion is like a shot of drugs”

The next day, the same Michel Bussi and Jean-Claude Mourlevat will be at the Jaude media library at 10:30 a.m. And it doesn’t stop. Michel Bussi with Cécile Coulon to talk about poetry, nature and the darkness of men. Aurélien Bellanger and Jean-Christophe Rufin. Julien Bouissoux and Alain Guiraudie. Thierry Laget, just crowned with his Vialatte prize received the day before… In short, heavy stuff. Very heavy.
Add to this, interventions in two educational establishments in the host cities, as well as at the CMI (children’s medical center) in Romagnat, and this is the profile of the new show.

Thierry Laget

Next year, the event will be postponed by a week to avoid competition from the huge Le Mans show. And then… Then you will have to turn the pages to find out the end of the story.
Infos. livre-royat-chamaileres.com

Simon Antony