Publishing industry representatives from around the world will visit Australia this week as guests of the Australia Council and Adelaide Writers Week to search for Australian literary talent.

From 27 February until 5 March, the Australia Council will host 17 leading publishers, literary agents, editors and scouts hailing from 13 different countries at Adelaide Writers’ Week to offer insights into global publishing trends and opportunities for Australian authors abroad.

The Visiting International Publishers (VIP) program is an initiative of the Australia Council and has hosted 158 guests since its inception in 1998, generating well over $3 million in rights sales for Australian authors.

Designed to strengthen connections between Australian and overseas publishing houses and literary agencies, the success of the program over the last decade is evidence of a strong interest in Australian literature abroad.

“We are extremely proud of the VIP program’s achievements over the past 12 years,” said Fenn Gordon, Director of Market Development at the Australia Council. “We’re confident that the titles pitched this year will demonstrate to the visiting international guests both the depth and distinctive voice of contemporary Australian writing”.

Books such as Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey, The Secret River by Kate Grenville, The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts and The Broken Shore by Peter Temple are just a few of the many well-known titles that have sold overseas through the program, taking Australian writers to the world.

While in Adelaide, VIP guests will participate in an intensive schedule of meetings and networking events with Australian publishers and agents, speak on panels and attend Writers’ Week events.