NORLA Launches Talent Program – New Voices for Children and Young Adults
This week marks the start of NORLA’s new talent program, New Voices for Children and Young Adults. The program is aimed at Norwegian authors writing fiction and non-fiction for young readers, and its goal is to provide emerging authors with international experience through travel, networking, and a deeper understanding of the outward-facing aspects of being a writer.
Nine authors and illustrators have been selected to participate in the program, which runs from May 2025 until the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in April 2026. The participants are:
Fabian Christensen, Julia Kahrs, Sigbjørn Lilleeng, Arne Lindmo, Reidar Müller, Pernille Radeid, Cathrine Sandmæl, Kristine Rui Slettebakken, and Gøril Sæther.
The selection was made based on recommendations from Norwegian literary agencies and publishers.
Bringing new literary voices to the international stage is a central part of NORLA’s mission. The New Voices program will take full advantage of NORLA’s extensive international network. Participants will attend two workshops, where they will learn presentation and communication techniques, meet established authors with international experience, and gain insight into the global publishing industry and rights sales. They will also take part in an international program in autumn 2025/spring 2026. The program will conclude at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in 2026.
The program is carried out in collaboration with Norwegian Non-Fiction Writers and Translators Association (NFFO) and Norwegian Writers for Children (NBU).
About the Guest of Honour Project – Bologna 2026
In April 2026, Norway will be Guest of Honour at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF). Established in 1960, BCBF is the world’s largest book fair dedicated to children’s and young adult literature.
This initiative offers a major boost for Norwegian books for young readers and is significant for rights sales and author income. Literature, and the authors and illustrators behind it, create the stories that drive revenues across other cultural industries such as film, gaming, and music. The aim is to strengthen long-term work in literature export and to expand international opportunities for Norwegian authors. NORLA will work to promote Norwegian children’s literature and illustration globally, while also facilitating the translation of more books for children and young adults.
The Guest of Honour status ensures prominent attention from media, industry professionals, and the public during the fair. NORLA is planning an extensive international pre-program involving Norwegian authors, illustrators, and other industry figures in the lead-up to BCBF 2026. In total, around 50 Norwegian authors and illustrators will take part in the initiative, including through the pre-program, fair program, and illustration exhibition.
The Guest of Honour project is carried out by NORLA in collaboration with the book industry, literary and cultural institutions, the Norwegian Embassy in Rome, and international partners.
Read more about the Guest of Honour project here
(Top row from the left: Photo of Sigbjørn Lilleeng: Agnete Brun, photo Julia Kahrs: Julie Pike, photo Cathrine Sandmæl: Fartein Rudjord/NORLA, photo Kristine Rui Slettebakken: Julie Pike. Bottom row from the left, photo Fabian Christensen: Maria Kleppe Vihovde / Cappelen Damm, photo Reidar Müller: Astrid Waller, photo Gøril Sæther: Agnete Brun, photo Pernille Radeid: Per Heimly and photo Arne Lindmo: private).
