The Nairobi International Book Fair is listed for 23–27 September 2026 at the Sarit Expo Centre by the International Publishers Association. This is a planning guide for that edition, not a promise that every session remains available. Confirm the programme and admission arrangements before travelling.

Open the [Nairobi International Book Fair listing](/events/nairobi-international-book-fair-2026) for its reference details. For other options, explore [book and writers’ events in Kenya](/discover/events/kenya), then use the [events explorer](/events) to filter by city, date and audience. A directory preview is not an exhaustive calendar of local activity.

Three decisions before you arrive

• Choose one purpose: discovering books, researching publishers or learning about your next publishing step.
• Verify the exact year and organizer before treating a search result as current.
• Leave with a small number of agreed follow-ups rather than an unmanageable contact list.

If you are researching publishers

Prepare a one-page introduction to your manuscript: working title, intended reader, genre, approximate length and current stage. This is a conversation aid, not an assumption that a publisher accepts unsolicited submissions at its stand.

Ask which part of the catalogue your book might fit. Ask where submission instructions are published and whether an agent is required. Record the official answer and its source in your book notes. A friendly conversation is not a publishing offer; do not describe it that way in your records or marketing.

If you are still writing

Treat the fair as reader research. Notice how nearby books describe their promise, how their tables of contents organize the subject and what readers ask about. Record your own observations without photographing private conversations or reproducing substantial copyrighted material.

Afterwards, choose one improvement to your outline. For example, repeated questions about where to begin may suggest a clearer opening chapter. Keep the original observation beside the proposed change so you can distinguish evidence from interpretation.

Build a manageable visit

Separate fixed programme sessions from flexible browsing. Allow time between appointments and confirm accessibility, travel and venue arrangements with the organizer. Do not assume that an exhibitor badge, visitor ticket and workshop booking have the same conditions.

Keep a short follow-up note for each conversation: who you met, what you discussed, what they explicitly invited you to send and when you intend to send it. Avoid adding people to promotional mailing lists without permission.

Questions authors ask

Does attending mean I can pitch every publisher?

No. Follow each publisher’s stated process and ask before sending a manuscript. Attendance does not imply an invitation to submit.

What if a listing has no confirmed date?

Treat it as a watch-list item, not a travel booking. Return to the official source before committing time or money.

What should I do after the fair?

Write a concise recap, send only requested material and schedule a realistic next action. Use [PocketAuthor’s writing workspace](/writing) to turn relevant notes into your book plan, without treating every conversation as a reason to rewrite the manuscript.