Book Expo of America in New York
Diana M. Raab -- June 16, 2007
Last week I had the distinct pleasure of being invited by my publisher to the annual BEA (Book Expo of America) held this year in New York's Jacob Javitt's Center from May 30th until June 3rd.
My invitation to attend this year's BEA was piggybacked onto the launch of my forthcoming memoir, Regina's Closet: Finding My Grandmother's Secret Journal which will be released in September 2007, by Beaufort Books (New York).
To coincide with this mega event, the book's galleys were just completed. These "Advance Review Copies" (ARC's) were handed out, in limited numbers to interested book people. The books limited pre-pub edition is mainly used for publicity purposes, but also to identify any last minute editorial errors prior to the book going to press. There's a notation on the book cover indicating that it's not for resale, and although the ARC's are in the soft cover format, my book will be released in hardcover in September.
According to their website, "Book Expo America combines the largest selection of English language titles on this planet with special industry and author events and unparalleled educational content to create a dynamic environment, sourcing and relationship building."
"The excitement of BEA fuels the passion for books and sparks new ideas for publishers, booksellers, librarians and rights professionals from around the world."
The Expo is divided into four components -- The Writer's Conference (Wednesday May 30th), The Educational Program (Thursday, May 31st), the Book Expo and The Foreign Rights Section. A writing colleague warned me about how overwhelming the event can be and suggested I visit their website and highlight the publishers I'd like to visit. By the end of the first hour I was thrilled to have taken her advice seriously because I accomplished a great deal during my 2-day attendance at BEA. At a glance, the expo portion was comprised of rows and rows of book displays in a gigantic exhibition hall. In addition, there was a large International Rights Center for publishers interested in seeking foreign rights for their books.
I was also befittingly warned about the number of catalogs and book samples I'd be offered, so I brought my own empty bags, only to find that most publishers gave out very handsome ones. Seasoned Book Expo frequenters, wheeled suitcases packed with sample book copies of every shape, size and color. I knew I'd be shipping books back to California and only had time to read a few so I was selective, but tempted to collect more because most were free-of-charge.
Although I spent most of my two full days at the Expo circulating the publisher booths to get a glimpse of the trends in book publishing, I did linger around the booth where my book was displayed next to my editor and publisher, who were also available to answer questions of curious passers-bys. I was delighted that some organizations and book clubs expressed an interest in my book.
The exhibitors included both leading publishers such as Simon & Shuster, Random House, W.W. Norton, and Penguin, as well as Independent Publishers. Lectures on various aspects of book publishing were being offered simultaneously. I did break away once to attend one on Google Search for books, which I found that currently books sold on Google Search account for 13% of all book sales.
As an author, the event was both encouraging and discouraging. I know how much work goes into each of the books being displayed, my recent memoir taking more than six years to bring to fruition, which included the writing, research and editorial work. It was inspiring to visit the booth of the publisher who released my first book in the late 1980s. It's already in its fourth printing and when I asked the publisher of his intentions for the book he said, "It's such a great book, I wouldn't mind doing another edition sometime in the future." I swelled up like a peacock; these are words writers live for. But, as a writer who's received an equal number of blows, I've learned to work with the ebb and flow.
It was a long trip across the country to the Expo, however, next year the event will be held in Los Angeles. I look forward not only to a more convenient location, but to attending again, with a little more experience and perhaps a few more books in the works!