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AUTHOR’S NOTE: I have not included the usual weekly list of industry tidbits and latest news because I felt that it was far more important this week to give you a somewhat personal overview of Book Expo America, the premier publishing event of the year. We are particularly fortunate to have this exciting event located here in our country. BEA is the second largest book fair in the entire world, outdone only the Frankfurt Fair. I urge every one of my writer/readers to attend a future Expo. It will very possibly be the most inspirational and informative opportunity you will ever have as a writer. Both the industry notes and my weekly Charlie’s Choice column will resume next week.
June 4, 2008
EXCITEMENT, INFORMATION AND INSPIRATION COMBINE
TO MAKE BOOK EXPO A UNIQUE HAPPENING FOR EVERY WRITER
If you’ve never attended Book Expo, be prepared for an overwhelming experience on your first visit. I flew out to Los Angeles this past week for two days of the headiest book whirl imaginable.
Just imagine: 37,000 attendees, a mix of authors, publishers, librarians, retailers, promoters, agents and more. More than 2,000 exhibitors filled the booths in two massive halls, connected by a walkway that got longer and longer each time I was forced to hoof it to attend a session or meet with a vendor.
While attendance at Los Angeles event was not quite as high as those held in New York City, the capital of the book industry, few vendors were complaining. Activity at the booths was steady. Tables were filled with salespersons busily hawking their wares and buyers seemingly quite ready to sign on the dotted line. Many of the educational presentations were jammed to standing-room- only levels.
They came from 80 nations around the globe to either buy or sell their products. And in the case of newly or soon-to-be published books, give them away as introductory copies. Selling books is not permitted on the floor of the exhibit hall. I schlepped a large box of 50 copies of The Writer Within You, my latest, and after an enthusiastic signing at the USA Book News booth, returned home with an empty box.
For those of you who, like me, much prefer to self-publish or work with a small independent publisher, this was an eye opener. So much emphasis was put on the burgeoning “indie” movement that for the first time one could actually believe we were on the cusp of becoming the dominant wing of a revitalized publishing industry.
PMA, one of the leading associations of the indie world, celebrated its 25th anniversary with champagne, birthday cake and a change of its name to The Independent Book Publishers Association. Activity was strong around the booth of The New York Center for Independent Publishing. Even I signed up for a special two-year membership to this excellent resource.
The champagne flowed to celebrate the indie winners in the Best of the Year awards program sponsored by ForeWord Magazine, in my mind the industry’s most prestigious publication. (The bubbly was especially sweet for me after capturing a bronze medal for The Writer Within You. That capped the news of the last few months that the book was chosen as one of the Best Books of the Year by five different publishing organizations.)
The Expo spirit made a deep impression on me as a first-timer. It contrasted starkly with the intensity and at times callousness of most of the trade shows I have attended. People were smiling and light hearted as they consummated their business. Exhibitors generally made you feel welcome, even if you stopped by just to snare a candy or snack.
Jeff Keen, President of USA BookNews, exemplified this graciousness, popping out of his booth regularly to shake hands and give away welcome bottles of water…and not just to attendees, but to workers at nearby booths, competitors or not. That exemplifies the spirit that dominated Expo.
Librarians, major purchasers of books, held an honored place at Expo. A special lounge was available midway between the two exhibit halls exclusively for weary librarians. It was sponsored by Library Journal.
In addition to exclusive housing at a hotel reserved just for them, a number of educational sessions were held. Some were targeted to librarians, and several that I attended were extremely helpful to those of us who sell our wares to libraries.
These panel discussions featured both academic and public librarians at the speakers table. They offered many suggestions and lots of insight into the way acquisition librarians choose their selections. The sessions were moderated by the charming and knowledgeable Nora Rawlinson, co-founder and editor of www.earlyword.com, a highly informative blog for librarians.
The American Booksellers Association (ABA) offered a long list of educational programs for the thousands of retailers who attended the conference. At its membership dinner, the organization added to Expo’s indie excitement with the announcement of its new program, Indie Bound. Its purpose is to reinforce the growing numbers of consumers who prefer to shop and support local independent retail bookstores.
ABA President Gayle Shanks of Changing Hands Bookstore in Arizona, told the room of enthusiastic supporters, “Locally owned indie booksellers introduce readers to great new writing, contribute far more to the health of their local economies and play a crucial role in maintaining the unique character of their communities.” Publishers Weekly reports that two recent studies estimate the market share of indies at just 10%, but very critical to the success of a book.
A second theme that seemed to dominate the chatter was the greening of the industry. It was highlighted by the keynote speech delivered by Thomas Friedman, the highly respected author and columnist for the New York Times. Calling upon his audience members to redefine their environmental lifestyles, he stated, “Green is the new red, white and blue.” One of the busiest booths at Expo was that of Greenleaf Book Group located in Austin, TX.
This widely acclaimed publisher and distributor actually is a leader in both of the major Expo themes. Its mission is to support the development of independent authors and small indie presses. Clint Greenleaf, its Chairman, has been a widely quoted spokesman for both trends over the past few years.
No special interests were forgotten at this well organized event. (That is, except for food, a key interest of hungry attendees. The minimal number of eateries was completely inadequate to meet the need of the huge, hungry crowd.) There were special pavilions for African American books, Childrens Books, Spanish books, Cookbooks, Travelbooks, products and books for academic institutions and Remainders.
Attendees packed the huge section of the West Hall to secure autographed copies of books by their favorite authors. Both well know writers and beginners scribbled away for half-hour sessions on all three days.
Attending Book Expo is an experience no author should miss. Whether you have a book to promote or are starting up a fledgling publishing venture…indeed, if you haven’t written anything recently, this experience may be just the key to giving you a jump start. Next year’s event will be held the last three days of May in New York City. The 2010 Expo will be in Washington, DC, followed the next year by a Las Vegas locale. Try had to get to at least one of them.
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