NORLA Fellowship in Oslo 2025: Children and YA literature

Norway will be Guest of Honour at the Bologna Children´s Book Fair in 2026. NORLA invites foreign publishers and editors of children and YA literature to apply for our fellowship program, which this year will take place in Oslo from June 10 -13. The fellowship will focus on Norwegian children & YA literature. On the program will be visits to Norwegian publishing houses, presentations by Norwegian authors, meetings with literary agents, as well as an extensive social program in Oslo.

This year, participants of all languages are welcome to apply, if your area of interest is children & YA literature. Italian applicants are especially encouraged.

The fellowship covers accommodation for three nights in Oslo (June 10-13).

Travel costs must be covered by each fellow.  

Please apply using the form here
Application deadline: Friday, February 28th, 2025, at 12.00 (CET).

(Summer in Oslo. Photo: Per Øystein Roland)

Upcoming activities

November 14-November 16

Shanghai, China

Norwegian Participation at the Shanghai Children’s Book Fair

NORLA is taking part in the Shanghai Children’s Book Fair with a stand designed for meetings and professional networking. The two illustrators/authors Øyvind Torseter and Marianne Gretteberg Engedal (Skinkeape) will participate in the fair’s professional program and panel discussions. Both also serve on the jury for the Norwegian illustration exhibition at Bologna 2026.
In addition, several Norwegian publishers/agents will take part.

The initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Consulate in Shanghai.

December 3-December 5

Rome, Italy

Networking Event and Launch of the Guest of Honour Program during the Rome Book Fair Più libri più liberi

The book fair Più libri più liberii is dedicated to small and medium-sized publishers, and NORLA is looking forward to participating for the second time – focusing on Norway’s Guest of Honour initiative at Bologna 2026 and on Norwegian children’s literature in general. And just like last year, we are hosting a networking event and gearing up for Bologna 2026 by launching the Guest of Honour concept and program. Also, Norwegian agents will take part in the fair’s fellowship and/or be present in the rights centre. The program is organized in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Rome.

In the lead-up to the book fair, we are organizing a full-day seminar for Italian translators and Norwegian language students from universities in Italy. The seminar will take place at Casa delle Traduzioni, and participants will have the opportunity to meet author and illustrator Malin Falch. The sessions will be led by established Italian translators of Norwegian literature.