Stuttgarter Buchmesse Stuttgart

The Stuttgart Book Fair (Stuttgarter Buchmesse) is an annual trade and public event dedicated to books, literature and independent publishing. Its distinctive focus is on providing a platform for self-published and independent authors, as well as smaller publishing houses, while encouraging direct engagement between writers, publishing professionals and readers.

The Stuttgart Book Fair is organised by Zellner & Zeh Buchmesse GbR, founded by crime writers Ann-Katrin Zellner and Stefan Zeh. Their aim is to give greater visibility to books and authors publishing outside the major trade publishing houses. The event is held at the Messe Stuttgart exhibition centre.

The fair covers a broad range of fiction and children’s and young adult literature, with genres such as fantasy, crime fiction, New Adult, romance, romantasy, science fiction and adventure particularly well represented. Independent publishing and self-publishing are central to the event. The focus extends beyond published books to the entire journey from initial concept to publication and marketing. Creative writing, editing, book design, publishing, marketing and social media therefore also feature prominently. Alongside print books and e-books, the fair showcases services for authors and publishers, including editorial services, book marketing, bookselling and audiobook production.

More than simply a marketplace for selling books, the Stuttgart Book Fair is designed as a forum for personal interaction and exchange. Authors can present, sell and sign their books directly, while visitors have the opportunity to discover new titles and stories and meet the people behind them. Readings, talks and other events complement the exhibition programme. Families are also specifically catered for, with a dedicated children’s and young adult section, children’s readings and interactive activities such as a puzzle trail.

Exhibitors come predominantly from the book, publishing, literary and media sectors. They include self-published and traditionally published authors, independent publishers, booksellers and service providers specialising in book production and marketing. The audience is equally diverse. The fair attracts both general readers and publishing professionals, including authors, publishers, booksellers, editors, media professionals and other industry visitors. This combination of trade professionals and the reading public is one of the event’s defining features.

The modern exhibition centre is located directly next to Stuttgart Airport and benefits from excellent transport links, making it easily accessible to exhibitors and visitors from both the surrounding region and further afield. The Stuttgart Book Fair thus combines its mission of raising the profile of independent literature and fostering direct contact between writers and readers with the facilities of a professional exhibition venue. The result is a vibrant meeting place for books, stories and the people who write, publish and read them.

The 4th edition of the Stuttgarter Buchmesse takes place on Sat., 27.02.2027 in Stuttgart.