Taking Dundurn Stories Abroad: Paris and Montréal Highlights - Dundurn
Nov 27, 2025

Taking Dundurn Stories Abroad: Paris and Montréal Highlights

This year gave me two very different perspectives on the international publishing world. 

In June, I attended the Paris Book Market, a two-day gathering where French language publishers, agents, scouts, and rights professionals come together to trade stories in the most literal way. I spent much of my time meeting with French publishers who arrived with thoughtful, well-prepared pitches for the titles they hope to see translated into English. It was genuinely exciting to hear what is resonating in their market right now, from sharp literary fiction to ambitious nonfiction and beautifully crafted short story collections. Hearing editors walk through their lists helped me identify strong candidates for English acquisition and offered a clearer sense of how French publishing trends are evolving.

Last week, I headed to the Salon du Livre de Montréal, which has a very different atmosphere but is just as valuable. Over a full day of meetings with Québec publishers and foreign rights teams, I presented our upcoming titles, highlighted the authors who are gaining traction, and explored which projects might connect with francophone readers. Québec publishing has a distinct voice, so being able to discuss our list in person and get immediate feedback on what themes and formats resonate there was incredibly productive.

 
Experiencing these fairs so close together reminded me how collaborative and far-reaching rights work can be, 
and why I find it so energizing. Whether I am discovering French titles that could shine in English or introducing Dundurn books to new potential partners, each conversation opens the door to possibilities we might not have imagined.
I returned from both events feeling inspired and excited about where our books might travel next.

— Mylène Bouilly, Rights & Sales Coordinator