Just getting back from BookExpo America 2009 in NYC...Just as it was two years ago when we attended, it was well worth the trip. I agree with some of the other bloggers - attendance was down. But the vibe was good. I have to say, though, just before leaving I decided to take a look at the BEA blog and there was a posting about how it has been the show organizer's goal for quite some time now to "weed out the riff-raff, ie. unpublished authors"...Wow. What do you say to that? I couldn't help but feel like I was part of the group that they were trying to "weed out" - except no one told me that when they were accepting my (very hefty) booth fee payment. Let me just say, for the record, that the "riff-raff" just so happens to be what makes BEA come alive. The most interesting section of the entire show is, without a doubt, Writer's Row. Maybe they don't all have best sellers....but they are always approachable and will make for some of the best conversations you will have during the entire weekend. I have heard over and over again that you shouldn't pay the money to get a booth a BEA if you are self-published, independently published, or if you have a single tite, etc..etc. I disagree. If you have it in your budget to have a booth - then have a booth. From year to year, people will recognize your name/booth. They will comment on what you're doing - they will, in some cases, even look for your booth to see what is new. Make an effort to meet the people in booths around yours. I have met people at previous shows that I am still in contact with via email today. In fact, I met someone at BEA 2007 who, at the time, was quite jaded by the industry and the lack of interest in her book. I loved her book. So much so that when I returned home I ordered ten copies of the book to pass on to people that I know. This year, she found me at BEA. She came rushing to my booth to let me know that her latest book was chosen as Book of the Year - Gold for Foreword Magazine. I was so excited for her! She came by my booth to thank me for my support. There are many reasons why it was worth it to have a booth a BEA this year. But if for no other reason than seeing the excitement and success of a fellow author, it would have been worth it just for that. Congratulations Jana Laiz on your new novel "Weeping Under This Same Moon".
Looking forward to BEA 2010 - and yes, I'll have a booth.