Monday, May 22, 2006

Literary Convention

Book Expo America happened over the weekend. BEA is a huge annual event that brings together publishers and booksellers. If you're an author, the event is about trying to get exposure for your book. If you're a bookseller, it's about choosing which books you'd like to have in your store.

I've gone twice and it's an exciting, frustrating experience. I found myself talking with a bookseller in Ohio trying to convince him that my book should be on his shelves. I also met some terrific people and partied throughout the weekend.

It can be an expensive weekend with many writers paying their own way, hoping that their books are seen by booksellers. I know this will be me next year. I'm saving those pennies.

People will do all sorts of things to bring attention to a book. (Check out the pic above. No, it's not Disneyland. It's part of the BEA feel.)

More from the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/22/books/22book.html?th&emc=th

2 comments:

Cheryl said...

I hope Strawberry Shortcake bought your book.

Sundry said...

Okay, okay. Enough with the pressure already. I'm willing to dress up as something next year to promote your book. The moon, maybe??