The 2011 Cape Town Book Fair has been cancelled, the organisers have announced.

However, the Book Fair will return in a new and remodelled format in 2012, along with the International Publishers Association congress which is being held in Cape Town from 12 to 14 June 2012.

The organisers said that the reason for the move is that South African publishers have voiced their support for a bi-annual Fair. But a letter from Publishers Association of South Africa president Brian Wafawarowa indicated that one of the factors for the event's postponement was the "non-participation of key publishers in last year's Book Fair".

BookSA wrote that of South Africa's "big six" publishers, only NB, Jonathan Ball and Pan Macmillan had large stands at the 2010 event. Penguin Books and Random House Struik did not participate and Jacana had a much-reduced presence. 

In a post on their website, the Book Fair wrote, "We thank all exhibitors and interested parties for their support and very much hope to be able to accommodate their needs and wishes again in 2012."

"A planning committee will start working and planning a revamped Cape Town Book Fair for 2012 very soon and will be announcing new details for the fair as soon as they become available"