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Loooking Back at Book Expo 09

Good crowds, CEO Oblivion and a book called Stitches

By all accounts BEA was supposed to be a dismal failure.  Various pundits were predicting that no one would show and that the Javits Center would be a ghost town on Saturday morning.  Suffice it to say we had a fairly good turnout and there was much to talk about in the book business and, there was a lot more focus on digital media than there should have been.

The ABA sessions on Thursday featured some great moments and some not-so-great.  Tina Brown's CEO panel was hyperfocused on a technology that involves ONE percent of the publishing industry but has become the belly button focal point.  Instead of asking why these CEOs are still pouring millions of dollars into advances, or what can be done to incorporate smarter technology in creating good books time was wasted on digital.  Tina's other foul ball came when she asked the publishers how they planned to fight Google's digital initiatives.  Apparently she didnt read the news about any lawsuits. 

 Stitches Saves the Day         

Surprisingly, after the CEO panel, we still had a full house for the first Editor's Buzz Panel.  There were some ok presentations for books that sounded like good reads but they faded quickly from memory when Bob Weil from W.W. Norton gave his presentation on Stitches by David Small.  This book is a brilliantly painful and beautifully rewarding graphic novel about the childhood of a celebrated childrens book illustrator.  If this book does'nt sweep up major awards it will be an injustice. 

The First Graphic Novels Buzz Panel

It wasnt really supposed to be a buzz panel in the way BEA normally presents them but the Hot Fall Graphic Novels for Libraries(and Retailers) turned out to be a great set up for some really great books.  Four librarians had to plow through hundreds of submissions to identify those graphic novels which hold a great deal of promise for the fall.  In the end there were 16 great books for Kids, Tweens, Teens and, Adults.  

Four of the titles selected are serious contenders for the book award season: Little Mouse Gets Ready by Jeff Smith(TOON Books), Crogan's March by Chris Schwiezer(Oni Press), Smile (a Dental Drama)by Raina Telgemeier(Scholastic) and Stitches by David Small(W.W. Norton).  Putting this panel together was a great deal of fun and the librarians who jumped into the challenge were fantastic.  Eva Volin, Christian Zabriskie, Barbara Moon and Jesse Karp had a lot of reading to plow through and they are librarians who really know that these graphic novels represent a cultural shift in American literacy.  

In the end, BEA went much better than a lot of folks had anticipated and people throughout the convention were talking about a graphic novel called Stitches like it was the best book on the planet.  Kudos to Courtney Muller and the rest of the Reed Exhibits team.  I am sure there were some sleepless nights leading up to the show but it all worked out quite nicely.

See you next year!

John Shableski is works for Diamond Book Distributors where his focus is on the independent book seller, library and educational markets.  He has been a panelist, moderator and program coordinator for Book Expo America, New York Comic Con and Miami Book Fair International.  He has also been named as a judge for the 2009 Eisner Awards at San Diego Comic Con and a member of the Book Expo Advisory Committee.  He can be reached at [email protected]

You Can Throw Water on a Horse but Will He Drink?

The Real Reasons to Shop Local and the Pending Tidal Wave

The Concert Tour

After three or four consecutive weekends on the road and in the air, attending regional book shows across the country I am ever more convinced that booksellers, librarians, teachers and comic shop owners have very similar personality traits and fall into two categories. There's the collector/fan or the passionate professional. The collector/fan enjoys the benefits of getting first edition copies of the works of their favorite authors or creator while the passionate professional enjoys receiving these same materials with a goal to share what they have discovered with those around them. What they also have in common is the assumption that the larger world understands exactly what their collection or selection holds for you. This is something that no retailer or librarian can afford to do. If you don’t introduce your business to every new person walking through the door, you lose another opportunity.

 
Why Should I Shop Local?

During the most recent book show I attended, the Northern California Independent Bookseller's Association's annual conference there was a presentation about the American Bookseller's Association's newest endeavor: Indie Bound. During the presentation the speaker extolled the virtues of the new web site and some of the newly created marketing materials. The theme of the materials is Shop Local. The signs are attractive and adaptable to the creativity of the individual store owner. What was missing from the discussion was this: Why shop local? What would compel me or you to 'shop local'?

 
I certainly don't want to belittle the speaker as he had the best of intentions in helping members of the ABA. There was even discussion on the possibilities of partnering with other local businesses, hardware stores, jewelers etc...to create a sense of camaraderie. Again the central point that needed emphasis was why?

 
This is Why I Shop Local

I know why I should shop local. My local hardware store owners know my house was built in the 1880s. They know that the well water has heavy iron content and they know my slate roof isn't going to last another 100 years. They know what I want, need and enjoy. This is where they beat the chain stores hands-down. 

 
My local bookseller is passionate about the books that he or she has on the shelf. They know that if I like this book then I may really enjoy something by another. They will tell me if the author is on tour. We can stand there and wonder aloud what that author really meant in chapter 7. 

While the chain store clerk is punching a clock points me towards a general direction and says 'Yeah, the graphic novels are over there", my bookstore owners are trying to understand why the hell I want to read a 'comic book' but at least they are willing to spend a half hour with me discussing the virtues of reading Identity Crisis or why The Ten-Cent Plague would make any historian angry. A clock punchin' clerk wouldn't give me that kind of time.

 
I know why I shop local but you; Mr. Bookstore Owner can't assume the rest of the world knows the value of what you do. Like the librarian who understands that maintaining relevance in the community means doing new and creative things helps. It is maintaining awareness in the community with constant promotion that does the trick. So tell the world what you do so well and why it matters and you have a better chance of surviving the chaos of economic roller coasters. Too often we read a quote from a bookstore blaming the economy when the reality provides a much different set of circumstances. So, tell your community what you do and say it loud. You can’t expect them to just assume you sell books.

 
Kristen McLean: A Bookseller's View of Graphic Novels

A highlight of the NCIBA show for me anyway was the presentation Kristen McLean from the Association of Booksellers for Children gave on starting a graphic novel section in stores. Kristen understands there is a rapidly growing audience for graphic novels and equal to this is a general confusion in the independent bookstore market on where to start. She's also proposed more than a few ideas such as starter kits and plan-a-grams which can help the bookseller to create a foundation. She had a fairly good turnout for the program and it felt like the library market did only just a few years ago. It was great to hear all the questions by people who are looking to get a handle on this new format.

 
Big House Publishing and Big House Sales Don't Always Mesh

I think I've had some pretty interesting discussions with editors and publishers about the development of the graphic novel format but a very recent conversation really helped put the whole thing into proper perspective. One editor shared with me that the sales force was pushing back on the idea of creating a graphic novel imprint. This particular house has the opportunity to sell a brand that is universally known and yet, are trying to discourage the project because the sales force isn't 'seeing the numbers'. This is where the sales force has to get in an airplane to get a better view of the landscape. Most of the houses have some really great graphic novel titles and yet fail to have them on display at any of the shows. Surely the biggest selling title of year, The Watchmen, deserves to be displayed at a show. Aside from one or two single lines the only prominent display came from the Roaring Brook folks with their First Second line and the Bloomsbury Publishing line. Sadly, that was only on display at the NEIBA show in Boston. Other shows had the posters but no books. It's a shame too because the indie bookstore owners were looking for the books and for someone to talk with. I know it's obvious but if you don't tell people what you have they aren't going to find it.

 
The Road Leads to the Educational Arena

Just before the New England Independent Bookseller Association show in Boston I had a dinner meeting with the people who are working on plans for the Massachusetts State Library Association's 2009 conference in Springfield. For next year's show there will be plenty of graphic novel programming for public librarians, media specialists and teachers.

 
Meanwhile our friends at the Texas Library Association have announced the creation of the Maverick Graphic Novel Award Committee (and they do mean to use Maverick in the truest sense of the word). The first awards will be launched at the 2009 TLA show. Earlier this month I had a first meeting with Fordham University discussing a graphic novel symposium for students, educators and academics which will take place on the Fordham campus January 31, 2009. February 2009 brings New York Comic Con which will also feature graphic novel educational programming for teachers.

 
Of course I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that on Election Day the New York City Department of Education will host a day with graphic novel programming for the school librarians who work in the five boroughs. Also next month hundreds of thousands of book fans will descend upon the campus of Miami Dade College for the 25^th annual Miami Book Fair International.  The book fair will celebrate this major anniversary with a graphic novel pavilion featuring 25 booths filled with graphic novels.

 
Shortly after that we have the National Council of Teachers of English annual conference in San Antonio. Over 8,000 of the nation's leading English teachers will gather to learn from their peers about the latest tools to use for winning the literacy battle. This year's conference will feature 11 workshops on using graphic novels in education. First it was the librarians who saw the future and now it's the teachers and professors. We have an audience and we have great stories. The one thing lacking is a sales force that can see what they have lying at their finger tips.

 If you can lead a horse to water he may not drink but start throwing water on him he may begin to wonder why it's feeling a little cooler out.

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries.  He's been a moderator and panelist at Book Expo, Comic Con International, a moderator for library panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He is currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country. He can be reached via email at [email protected]

Returning From Comic Con International
And a Shift in Graphic Novel Publishing

Comic Con: It's Bigger Than You Think

Heading into San Diego for Comic Con, I felt as if I had been preparing for the Olympics.  If you   weren't already aware of it, this convention is thee pop culture event for the United States.   What began as a bunch of friends, store owners, and comic book artists gathering to talk about the business has now morphed into something almost beyond description.  Tickets were sold out for the entire run of the show and even the traditional publishing houses have been put on a waiting list for any available booth space.

Has Comic Con Jumped the Shark?

The close proximity to Hollywood is definitely a factor in the buzz generated from 'The Con', this year it had an added celebrity component. It's not surprising to see celebrities on the floor as there are more than a few who are self-proclaimed 'geeks'.  When word got out that Paris Hilton, Carmen Electra and Kim Kardashian were all headed to the show, a fear that Comic Con may have 'jumped the shark’ rippled through the vendor’s booths.

A Level Field: Emmy and Oscar Nominees are Just Guys with Book Ideas
On the second day of the Con, I found myself talking with Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men) while standing in the Dark Horse booth.  He was there with a friend of his and together they were working the show with a book idea.  Across the room from him, hanging out with the Kids Love Comics gang, was Oscar nominee Chris Bailey with his book Major Damage.  Not too far from them was Frank Beddor, producer of Something about Mary, Wicked and author of a great series called The Looking Glass Wars.  Frank also has a graphic novel titled Hatter M.   What I really enjoyed about these guys is that they were just creators looking to sell a book.  There was nothing at all "Hollywood" about them.  In fact, I think they enjoyed their new found ability to disappear into the crowd.   

When a Play Boy Bunny is a Lonely Thing to Be
There comes a point when the costume wearing fans become so numerous that only the highly unusual are worthy of your attention.  Those people were usually surrounded by an army of photographers which resembled a paparazzi platoon. Anyway, with 130,000 fans streaming through the convention center, the unusual becomes the norm.   One of my favorite sights was the booth for the Playboy Bunnies.   Here sat a lovely young woman at a table covered with her magazine and willing to sign photos, smile for pictures and being completely ignored.   The booths around her were bursting at the seams with fans wanting poster art or t-shirts to commemorate their pilgrimage. If it were a NASCAR track or NFL stadium, she would have needed bodyguards with guns, instead she sat alone. 

Crowds and Baby Strollers
Oy!  I realize parents occasionally have a desperate need to get out of the house.  My question is this: Can't you leave the stroller and baby with someone at home?  Don't you have neighbors, a grandparent... someone who can watch your kid for a day?  Strollers in a building where the crowd is at maximum capacity are just not a good idea.  I will note, however, that the kids did seem well behaved.  I did not hear a single baby crying or any small children throwing tantrums.  Thank you for that.

In fact the crowd in general was pretty good.  People seem to have accepted that Comic Con is a major event and draws huge crowds.  The only people who got annoyed by the crush were the booth vendors who have to walk over bodies to get to the bathroom.  Con fans are so enthusiastic about the show that they wear their gear all the way home.  I encountered this on a plane from Las Vegas to Philly and even on my commuter flight back home to Williamsport, PA.

The Big Difference between Comic Con and Book Expo
It has to be the fans.  With Book Expo, people just can't wait to get off the show floor on the final day.  Vendors are packing and taping boxes two hours before the show closes.   At Comic Con, the dedicated fans will be spending money right up to the closing bell and the vendors realize every single moment the show is open there's an opportunity to sell.   

NEVER Move the Con!
With the sell-out crowds for the show, speculation continues to build about it relocating to a larger venue.  It cannot move. Period.  It was born in San Diego.  It grew there.  It belongs there.  To move it would be against the laws of nature.

The Shift in Publishing
Now that graphic novels are attracting so much attention there is a trend developing which should alarm the graphic novel publishers; authors are moving away to bigger houses.   You see someone like Ariel Shrag pull her story from Slave Labor Graphics over to Touchstone and the reasons are not really too surprising.   I spoke with Ariel after seeing her presentation of her book, Definition at the American Library Association show in Anaheim and she explained her move to a bigger publishing house.  Like all authors, Ariel was looking for stronger distribution and promotional support which Touchstone provides.   

There have been several other situations similar to this recently where the bigger houses have been trolling for talent.  It will intensify as they figure out there is a farm system already in place to develop the talent for them.  The only way for the graphic novel publishers to combat this is to ramp up how they promote their books.  It can no longer be a case of creating great books and hoping fans will find you.  They need to aggressively develop publicity and marketing campaigns for each new book.  Authors will have to move beyond comic convention appearances and into the mainstream book shows and events.   If these publishers can't make the adjustment then they may have to accept their place in the farm system for the traditional publishing industry.

Vacation Time!
Ok, it is time for a much needed vacation.  As you read this, I am probably teaching my kids how to surf somewhere on the eastern seaboard.  I will return to duty in a week or so.  We all need a recharge now and again; mine usually requires salt water and lots of it!

Cheers!

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries.  He's been a moderator and panelist at Book Expo, a moderator for library panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He is currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country. He can be reached via email at [email protected]

The Billion Dollar Summer, Notes From NYCC and ALL AGES
More cool things about graphic novels and the Comics Code Authority

Just Write The Story!
During the New York Comic Con I sat in on a panel on self-publishing which was moderated by Jimmy Gownley who writes the Amelia Rules!  series.  Along with us were Harold Bucholtz of Renaissance Press and Scott Sava the creator of a series called The Dreamland Chronicles, during the Q&A session, Jimmy caught on to a trend with the questions which began to run the line of "How do I protect my idea?"   It's funny to think that there is so much riding on the creation of a story.   If the story is a hit then you have all kinds of things to consider: additional print runs, movie rights, video game properties, toys, board games, McDonald Happy Meals....the possibilities can drive a person crazy.  Out of all this I can still hear Jimmy tell the audience this one thing "You have to write the story first!  Dont worry about all that other now-write the story!"   

Block Buster Summer
When you look at the summer line up of potential blockbuster movies, that all seem to be based on a graphic novel, you can sort of understand how it can mess with the mind of any graphic novel creator.  Iron Man basically launched the summer season with an amazing weekend(Robert Downey ROCKS the role of Tony Stark), Speed Racer was off to only a 20 million dollar start but has potential(attention critics: the movie is made for 12 year-olds not 40 plus film geeks). The Hulk is coming as is Hellboy, a new Indiana Jones movie is coming (Dark Horse has some great I. J. books).  This summer has the potential to deliver over a billion dollars from movies based on graphic novels.   If you are beginning to wonder when it will end?   It's only just begun.

Tipping Point-Thy Name Shall Be Age-Ranges
I think I have finally nailed what the tipping point will be for the graphic novel publishing industry and it comes down to the applications of age ranges.   During my recent meetings with some independent bookstore owners it dawned on me that I was hearing exactly the same questions that the public library folks were asking just a few years ago.
How do I buy this stuff?
Where do I (rack)shelve it?
Can I at least see a catalog that is set up with age ranges?   
Can you tell me what is for kids and what is for adults?

All they want is a simple easy-to-follow method for selecting the books that they can trust.   Just like the librarians did.

All Ages and the Comics Code Authority
There is a real reason why comic’s publishers and graphic novels publishers get agitated when the discussion of age ranges raises it's sometimes nasty little head.   The Comics Code was an attempt by the comics industry to show the rest of the world it had standards and was a well behaved group of publishing professionals (and to keep the govt officials off their backs).  It wound up being seen as a censorship tool.   You can certainly understand that when you read some of the rules of the Comics Code.  For instance: (and this is my favorite): 3. Policemen, judges, government officials, and respected institutions shall never be presented in such a way as to create disrespect for established authority.

There are quite a few more details involved in the Comics Code but needless to say, the repercussions have carried on for quite some time.  It was the Code that really had a chilling impact on the sales of comic books for decades.   It still surprises me to read about the book burnings that took place in the heyday of the comics industry.   Book burnings in general are a sad sad thing anyway.

A Time and Financial Reason for Change
Now that the interest and heat are intensifying for the graphic novel industry, the need to revisit the idea of applying age ranges is certainly quite strong.  One Comics Code tag that is no longer relevant is the use of ALL AGES as a rating for a book.   It is seriously outdated.  I understand the origins of the All Ages lable but it has  become a blanket approach for anything that isn’t overly violent or sexual in nature.  Just because you dont see a gun in the images, doesnt mean that the topic is something a ten-year-old will comprehend. 

The approach really needs to be looked at from the perspective of the novice retailer, librarian and educator.   They want a simple process by which they can select and buy the books.  Age ranges aren’t a deterrent for these people; they are a guideline or a means to determine exactly where the books belong in the store and or library.  With age ranges that run from Children or Juvenile, Teen or Young Adult and Adult or Mature, this allows the buyer a way to determine what they will purchase. The proper application of age ranges would need to focus on the level of comprehension associated with the subject matter of the story.

By doing this we can actually accelerate the buying process.    I know that publishers would love it if every single book published were actually read by the person who buys the books for the library or store.  The fact of the matter is they dont.   There are so many books coming out that this is impossible.   Age ranges, reviews from trade publications, and peer or customer recommendations are what really greases the wheels of the buying process.  When this happens, then we will really see how fast this rocket can fly.

Next time on The Graphic Novels Guy: Heading to BEA, The Miami Book Fair and The NYC Department of Education Graphic Novel Program

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries.  He's been a panelist at Book Expo, a moderator for library panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He is currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country.  He can be reached via email at [email protected]

It's Starting to Feel Like a Marathon!

I'm not quite sure I have really recovered from the New York Comic Con. The event was three times larger than the first one which happened only three years ago.  I dont know if the final tally is in yet but I hear attendance was between 60,000 to 70,000 people.  There were some grumblings that it was happening so close to Passover but we also had the Pope come to town for a gig at Yankees stadium.  NYC and pandemonium, can it really get any better?

Congratulations to Lance Fensterman, Jay Williams and Mark Dressler for their efforts.  Passover weekend was really the only slot available for the Javits to hold an event of that scale and the guys from Reed did a pretty good job.  Sure there were a few burps in programming but when you run something on that scale and it's really only in it's infancy, there are bound to be growing pains.   

Kudos also go out to Janna Morishima and the other folks behind the panel programming.  There were a great deal more programs aimed at professional development than we had last year.  There were plenty of fan programs and publisher panel events.  To me, it seemed like just about every base was covered.   

The highlight for me had to be the Comics in The Classroom panel.  Alex Simmons, Peter Gutierrez,Lisa von Drasek, librarian at Bank Street School, and Kent Worcester, professor at Marymount Manhattan College all did a fantastic job of describing the value of using comics and graphic novels in any educational setting.  Alex spoke to how he could use Iron Man to teach kids about science (retro rockets, cooling agents etc..) and sociology.  He nailed it with a perfect 5 minute summary.

THE best thing any publisher, author or editor can do at one of these conventions is to sit in on a program to hear just exactly how teachers and librarians use your books.   It is seriously mind altering.  If you want to make better books or sell more books-do not miss out on any presentation that is run by these folks.

Giving Good Panel
Ok, I dont know if anyone has ever addressed this before but, should you find your self invited to moderate a panel, please do your home work and ask good questions!  We have all sat in on a program where you could actually hear the paint peeling from the wallls.  This is because the moderator just wasnt prepared.  So, moderator person-talk with your panelists.  Prime them.  Ask them what kind of questions they would like to hear as well.  It will help you give good panel.  So good that people will want to....well light one up and celebrate.

That Comics in the Classroom panel was seriously good panel.

NJLA, BEA, ALA and The NYC Dept of Education!

Have you ever been to Long Branch, New Jersey?  What a place!  I was there with Bill Barnes of www.Unshelved.com doing a presentation on selecting Anime and Manga for the New Jersey Public Library Association.   It's great to see that the rooms continue to fill with even more people in the audience.  Thanks again to Sophie Brookover of www.popgoesthelibrary.com and the folks at the NJLA for inviting me to come speak. 

Now, Book Expo is only a week or two away and the trip to the west coast is looming.  After NYCC I feel like I need to get out of the water and take a nap before the next major surf contest starts.  Book Expo has announced a day of graphic novel programming and that is pretty exciting news.  We get some ten panels and workshops on the subject.  It all kicks off with the Graphic Novel Authors Breakfast featuring some fantastic talent.  Jeff Smith who created Bone will moderate.  Art Speigelman, the Pulitzer Prize winning creator of Maus will be on the panel as well as Jeph Loeb, a comic creator and creative force behind the hit television series Heroes will join in as will Mike Mignola.  Mignola is the genius behind the Hellboy graphic novel series and movies.  Seating is very limited so click here to register to http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/en-us/registernow.cfm.

After Book Expo there is the American Library Association show which will take place in Anaheim.  The summer show is usually a pretty good time with plenty of panels and a lot more foot traffic on the show floor than what we see during the Mid-winter event.   

NYC Department of Education and Graphic Novels. 

Yesterday was a moment that I will mark as a high point for the graphic novel movement in education.  The people at the New York City Department of Education have invited me and my counterpart, Janna Morishima to do in-service presentations to public school librarians in the five boroughs.  My first gig was in Harlem and it was just amazing.   This was an opportunity to provide these librarians with an historical perspective of the format and an understanding of how we reached this moment.

This will culminate with a great day of programming for all of the librarians in the NYC schools in the fall.   This is, as far as I am aware, the first time a city and school system of this size, has formally embraced graphic novels as valuable reading tools.  Such a great moment.

Teachers can rock like the librarians.
I got a note from Kai-Ming Cha(Library Journal) on my last column where she says "Real acceptance may begin when the average classroom teacher doesn't scold a child for reading a graphic novel or comic book. This day will come."  Yes, it will.  In deed it will come very soon!

Ok, there's a lot more to tell you about but that will have to wait for the next posting: Miami Beach, Jimmy Gownley and one really damned good reason for graphic novel publishers to apply age ranges to their books.

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries.  He's been a panelist at Book Expo, a moderator for library panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He is currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country.  He can be reached via email at [email protected]

Bicycle Moto-Cross, The Olympics and what it means to Publishing
See how I can use videos to tie it all together with this one....

The other day as I was listening to NPR, they ran a story about the entry of bicycle moto-cross or BMX racing into the Summer Olympic Games.  It dawned on me that it really was just a natural part of the evolutionary process for sports.  The Olympic Committee has been somewhat progressive in bringing new sports into the competition, white water kayaking was a bit of a surprise to me but hey, that's a cool and progressive sport.  To hear the athletes discussing the 'insane launch' for the track that is set up for the games in China was pretty much the same as an interview during a surf contest.

The story reminded me of a conversation that I had with my step-dad one day as I was heading out the door with my surfboard tucked under one arm and my car keys in hand.  "Do you think you can pay the bills with that surfing?" he shouted out at me.  He had lived a pretty hard life and hard work was all he ever knew.  He was a heavy equipment welder which wasn’t without its hazards.   

I stopped for a moment and then replied "Never really thought about it.  I just like surfing."  I'm sure the look on my face must have betrayed my amazement that he would ever ask such a question.

That was the same summer that Surfing Magazine had touted Tommy Curren's successes on the World Tour.  Tommy was winning money into the million dollar range.  The other guys, Mark Richards from Australia and Shaun Thomson of South Africa were also making pretty good money. 

Money drew attention to the sport.  Money drew a lot more people to the sport as well.   The OP Pro contest at Huntington Beach in California was drawing hundreds of thousands of fans and spectators.   Politics had even entered the surf dialog.  Should the South Africans be allowed to compete in light of the Apartied issue back home?   Yeah, surfers were talking finance and human rights...surprising eh?

About that time skateboarding was starting to change.  The boards were getting better and the competition was moving from drainage ditches to half-pipes and professionally constructed skate parks.  Skateboarding also introduced us to a kid named Tony Hawk. 

Skateboarding was just beginning to evolve while the surf world began to see major money and sponsors for tour events. Out of the sunshine state came a world champion many times over.  Florida, the place where waves were always much much smaller, created an 8 time world champ named Kelly Slater.  Kelly had endorsement deals, television gigs and roles in movies, and millions of dollars.  Yup, you can actually surf AND pay the bills.  Whoda thunk it?

Meanwhile Tony Hawk has continued to ride his skate. A week or so back, USA Today ran a story about Tony and his skateboarding empire.  He has video games, merchandising and yes, skateboards with his name on them.   He lives in the San Diego area where surfers, skaters and snowboarders get just as much media coverage as do NFL running backs and Hall-of-Fame baseball players.

Even snowboarding is getting its due at the winter Olympics.   I hate to say it but I do remember guys with the earliest versions of Burton snowboards getting chased off of Big Bear Mountain-they were scum!  How dare these punks show up on sacred slopes with a snow board?  Now, because of guys like Shaun White, they are stuff of Olympic and X-game legends.  Guys and girls who make a living having fun, what else can you ask for?

Now, we have the same free spirits earning a living creating graphic novels.  Just like the Olympics embracing new sports, the traditional publishing world is really beginning to embrace graphic novels.

Dont kid yourself, the Olympic Committee isn’t just about finding cutting edge sports- they need to keep growing the audience by bringing in sports that appeal to a younger demographic.   The publishing industry is on the same track.  There is a younger audience that wants the next new thing.  Sure it's worth a lot of money, but it's also pretty cool too.

I would be remiss if I neglected to say something about National Libraries Week.  Librarians are the ones who led the way in bringing graphic novels to American readers.  Like Tony Hawk for skateboarding or Gregg Noll for surfing(definitely watch the Greg Noll video), librarians knew they were onto something good with this format long before the rest of the industry began to understand it.   Remember to thank your librarian for leading the way.

By the way I still have my surfboard.  Maybe, just maybe the Olympic Committee will add surfing for the next summer games.  I wouldn't mind paddling out for that. 

Next time on The Graphic Novels Guy: Recovering from the New York Comic Con just in time to prep for ALA and Book Expo West Coast Style!

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries.  He's been a panelist at Book Expo, a moderator for library panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He is currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country.  He can be reached via email at [email protected]

Cheap Trick, the Spartans and SPLAT 2008

And the obvious target demographic.

So, the ADD is kicking in pretty heavy this week, but if you follow along closely, you will see how I can pull this whole column together.  On my drive to the airport the other day, I decided to create a list of songs that, should you get pulled over for speeding, would instantly absolve you of the ticket. 

Here are some of those songs (add your own, but wimpy songs don’t count):

Roll with the Changes, REO Speed wagon

Kick It Out, Heart

Steve McQueen, Sheryl Crow

AM Radio, Everclear

Paradise

Each of those songs has something about them that makes you want to 'open 'er up to get your car flying.  In my world, if you get pulled over the first thing you must say to the police officer is the following:  “I'm sorry sir/ma’am, but I was jamming to this song from (put your song here)”.  If the song is on the approved list of speeding songs then he/she will simply tell you to 'have a nice day'.  They should understand this, because you know they have their own speeding songs.

Cheap Trick and the Spartans

One of my favorite Cheap Trick 'flying' songs of all time is their version of Ain’t That a Shame.  The band actually introduced me to Hank Williams by way of that song.  One afternoon I was reading the liner notes on the album cover and discovered that they were covering an old country song!  Oh, my God!  Could this be true?  So, I sought out Hank’s version and was surprised to find out that I really liked it.  I have to say that his version is better heard on a Sunday morning after a 'forgettable' Saturday night. 

I vaguely remember my teacher talking about the Spartans waaaay back in junior high school. At that age, I really could have cared less about some guys who wore loin cloths and lived to fight wars.  When I picked up the graphic novel 300 from Frank Miller, it was if a whole new world had come to life.  Yes, I am quite certain that my teacher would have been rather disappointed that I hadn’t paid closer attention to his lessons.  Miller just found a better way of bringing the Spartans to life for me.  It's funny what you can learn from an artist’s influences... I mean, actually learn from them. 

Graphic Novels in the Classroom

Just recently there was a teacher from the

Minneapolis

What I found interesting about her article was the responses it drew from some of the readers.  Quite a few had to do a complete bashing of graphic novels and you can bet they haven’t read one yet.  As with anything new, there are the armchair critics or, elitist snobs, who have never read the book, seen the movie or done whatever it is necessary to have a complete understanding of the craft, but feel the need to offer an opinion anyway.

More Than Meets the Eye

Creating a graphic novel actually involves two disciplines.  An artist has to create the images and actions to match the dialog.  The dialog has to follow a story line.   What creates a challenge for the linear or non-graphic novel reader is they are forced to slow down and absorb all the information from the page in front of them.  Linear readers have taught themselves to skim along as they read a prose novel.  They pick out the key words and phrases and then move on. 

With a graphic novel, the reader is forced to slow down.  They need to view the images and match it to the dialog.  The artist has created the environment and the action while the writer has created the voices.  It may seem as if it is taking forever to read the book; when they are actually absorbing information at a much higher rate.  You, as the reader don’t have to guess what sort of sky is overhead, what kind of trees are in the background or how wrinkled grandpa's weary brow is, you see all that quickly. It’s just like watching a movie; these images allow you to focus more on the dialog.

For those critics who look down their noses at-dare I say it? COMICS!  Pick one up and read it, before you declare an end to civilization.  Look back some 50 years ago and there were a lot of critics who thought rock and roll was the end of music as we know it.  Well, they are now dead and long forgotten while Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones continue to stick out their tongues.  My suggestion to you is this, read one or two before you make such high minded statements, otherwise you will doom yourself and become an icon of things long forgotten.

Circulation Equals Turns

In one of my earlier rants, I mentioned the value of circulation numbers in the library world.  How do they translate into the retailer world?  They are the same as turns.   When a book is circulating at a very high rate, it is the same as a book or item that is a hot seller.  So, when you have an entire category that is dominating your circulation as a librarian, you re-evaluate your entire collection and perform a task called weeding. 

Weeding allows you to pull titles from the collection/inventory that haven’t circulated/turned in say....two years. 

As a retailer, you should probably look at the numbers in a cold, cold light.  You will see there are some categories or titles in your store that, as much as you love them, they just aren’t selling.   You have a choice to make: weed out those titles that aren’t selling or lose the sales potential of that valuable shelf space.

Of course, I would have to suggest you try shelving graphic novels.  Oh, and be sure to promote them.  If you don’t promote or advertise your business you are destined to close.  Also, buy a computer and don’t be afraid to use it.  I am still surprised to meet store owners who don’t own a computer!  On second thought, if you don’t own a computer then you probably aren’t reading this article.

The Spring Book Show

At the moment, I am prepping for the Spring Book Show for the remainder’s market in

Atlanta

SPLAT 2008

Saturday turned out to be a great day for the graphic novel symposium known as SPLAT 2008.  The folks at the Center for Independent Publishing in NYC put together a great day of programming with educational tracks for creators, publishers, teachers and librarians.  I ended up on the first panel of the morning called “Who Reads Graphic Novels?” and one of the topics we covered had to do with that “break-out” book that would get more adults to read graphic novels.

I wish it would have occurred to me to ask why hasn’t anyone noticed the target demographic that is standing right in front of them?  If manga is selling more than 200 million dollars (out of the 330 million in sales) then you go where the business is.  Who is buying manga?  The answer is kids and young adults from age 12 to late 20s.  Yes, there are older people who are buying cool books like 300 or Watchmen, but like the birth of rock and roll, this is a market for kids. It's not rocket science.   

The Game Changer

All the points listed above could easily be changed with the arrival of a Harry Potter graphic novel then, all bets are off.  Adults would see it as a cool opportunity to pick up a great book that ‘everyone else is reading’. A Harry Potter type of book would really open some doors and then the adult audience would realize how many other great books are available.  Hmmm…..maybe I can get word to JK Rowling about some ideas.

Next week:  My pitch to JK Rowling

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries.  He's been a panelist at Book Expo, a moderator for library panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator.  He is currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country.  He can be reached via emal at [email protected]

Gene Yang, Graphic Novels and NCTE
Graphic novels are finding a place in the NYC classroom and, SPLAT 2008.

Imagine my surprise as I discovered some brilliant graphic novel programming when I attended the National Council of Teachers of English convention at the Javit's in NYC this past November. 

Now wait, that may have not come out sounding the way it should have.  I should start out by mentioning that I discovered James Bucky Carter's name listed on the programming and figured it would be pretty cool to find out what he was going to talk about in the way of graphic novels for the classroom.   Carter has a great book called Building Literacy Connections with Graphic Novels: Page by Page, Panel by Panel and delivers a really great workshop.

Among hundreds of programs you would have also found Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón the two creators of The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation.  These two men have been creating comics together for over four decades and to hear their perspective on the state of the industry and what inspired them to recreate the 9/11 Commission Report as a graphic novel, is worth every minute. 

These weren't programs where graphic novels were mentioned as an afterthought, graphic novels were discussed in matter-of-fact terms as books to be used for reading.   The presenters know and appreciate the fact that graphic novels can be used to educate and entertain readers of all skills.  And these people really really know the stuff!  I had anticipated finding people who were excited about the format and maybe had just begun to explore using graphic novels in the classroom.  I was really underestimating the market. 

Even more encouraging was the number of people sitting in on the sessions.  Each room was packed or nearly full.  The teachers were in their zone and the audience was completely engaged.  This is fertile ground for a revolution.   Maybe there is more to teaching kids the art of enjoying reading.  It was great to see these teachers using graphic novels to reach out and connect with readers of all skill levels.

The attendance for the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) convention in New York was only 8,000 teachers.  Only 8,000 teachers?  How many students does that represent and, from how many parts of the country?  If you thought teachers dont care about reaching students, you need to sit in on one of these sessions at NCTE.  It will definitely change the way you look at teachers.  We make it difficult for them to do their jobs every year with tax cuts and budget 'restrictions' and yet they come back year after year.   

Across the country, in the San Francisco area is a teacher and an author who figured out that teaching with graphic novels can help you instantly connect with your students.  Gene Luen Yang has been writing comics and graphic novels around his family time and teaching duties and wound up creating American Born Chinese which went on to win the Printz award and was also the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award. 

Yes, I have mentioned Gene here before and you may start to recognize a pattern here.  There are graphic novel creators like Gene who will continue to resurface on a regular basis as this format continues to grow.  The latest appearance for Gene, in my world, arrived with the NCTE magazine.  In the newest issue, Gene was given the chance to write an article for NCTE in a graphic novel format.  It was so cool to see how he discovered the benefits of using graphic novels as a tool for connecting with students in the classroom.  This was in the magazine for the National Council of Teachers of English.  IF they can see the benefits of using graphic novels, much as Gene does, it wont be long for the word to spread.

That brings me to the New York City Department of Education who recently contacted my counterpart, Janna Morishima and me to discuss creating a graphic novel symposium for the librarians who serve the schools in the five New York City boroughs.  These people understand that graphic novels are something that need to be included in the educational programming. And, much like librarians a few years ago, they want to learn how to bring them into the school system.   The program is for some 800-900 public and private school librarians.  As one of the people in our meeting put it "We need to teach kids with new tools.  Why would anyone try to teach 21st century students with 19th century methods? We need to use the things these kids understand."

Truer words were never spoken.  Kids are moving at light speed and teachers are doing everything they can to keep up.  Every day there are more and more great graphic novel titles getting published.  Talking with the folks from the NYC Department of Education about using graphic novels reminded me of something my junior high school music teacher said when we asked him why he was playing The Who for us in class.  He said "There is some amazing structure in this music. One of these days you will talk about Pete Townshend the way my teacher spoke about Mozart."  He knew exactly how to reach us.

So the revolution continues to spread and in the most natural of places-the class room and the library.

Hey, I would be remiss in my duties if I didnt tell you about another graphic novel moment in New York City.  The Center for Independent Publishing will be hosting its first major graphic novel symposium on March 15th.  SPLAT 2008 will feature some great creators and a guy who knows a lot about the art of graphic novels, Scott McCloud.  There will also be some great folks from the educational world, Karen Green from Columbia University, Peter Guitierrez, a curriculum development consultant, Margaux Del Guidice and Michael Lizardi, School Media Specialists, and Christian Zabriskie, Senior Librarian YA Services from Queens Public Library .  It's a great day of programs and you will learn some pretty cool stuff.   Click here for more....http://www.nycip.org/graphicnovelsymposium/panel.php

Viva La Revolución!

Next time on The Graphic Novels Guy: Remainders, Graphic Novels and The Spring Book Show

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries. He's been a panelist at BEA, a moderator for graphic novel panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He's currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country. For general questions you can send an email to [email protected]

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