Reimagined BookExpo
Disclaimer: Book Expo gave me an event badge.
This year Book Expo America advertised themselves as “the reimagined Book Expo” which I think is code for “smaller”. Of course, smaller is a relative term when some of the banners are larger than many panel rooms at other conventions. Instead of taking over the entire Javitz center in NYC, they shared with two other conventions- a franchise convention and a cannabis convention (yes, really).
On Thursday I took the Ethan Allen train (which is currently rerouting to Grand Central instead of Penn Station in case you are planning a trip). They had a designated quiet car on the way down (bliss!). To get to the convention center from Grand Central, you take subway route 7 to 34th street, right in the station, something I wish I’d known a few years ago.
Baker and Taylor (my wholesaler) had an expresso bar. The Librarian Lounge served breakfast and lunch as well as exclusive author signings. I was happy with the amount of space the librarian lounge had. They gave me a little booklet to collect stamps from sponsored booths, a “scavenger hunt” that I really enjoy because it gives me a mission to carry out instead of wandering aimlessly. While you can plan out your schedule minute by minute, it’s often the random things you walk into that prove to be more interesting.
Author signing was in a huge, half empty area that was full of booths last year. Some authors were ticketed events with lines that roped around the show floor, some signings were at booths, and the rest of the signings were walk-up.
There were fun photo opportunities with characters- I got a photo with Bruce the bear and the Wimpy Kid.
The reason a Librarian would go to Book Expo is to find out what’s trending, what publishers WANT to be trending, and to meet authors. Meeting with vendors really isn’t as useful as it would be at a library association convention- the vendors are focused on publishers and booksellers here. I did make a point of stopping by Overdrive and telling them that I really like their new app, Libby.
One reason in the past that librarians came to BookExpo was to get ARCs (advanced reader copies) so they could do advanced reviews. Now that you can get digital copies through Netgalley and Eidelweiss, I did my best to dodge arcs like I was in a video game. I still went home overloaded, but I’ve learned not to take an arc unless I personally wanted to read it or give it to someone specifically.
I tried to pack light, knowing that I had to carry my clothes, toiletries, electronics, wallet and snacks as well as any swag I picked up. I kept it down to one backpack and one tote bag. I had bruises on my shoulders by the end of the second day, waiting for the train to post the track information (btw, curse you, Amtrak! 5 minutes before the train left? really?)
The swag seemed reduced from last year (more of the “reimagined” effect, I suppose). I think many vendors were saving give-aways for BookCon, which is the fan part of the convention, held over the weekend, based more on Comic-con. Totes were the go-to give-away. I used two of them to make padding on my backpack straps. Other popular give-aways were squeeze balls and stickers. I like give-aways that are utilitarian, like pens, notepads or notebooks, because as a customer I like having them, and as a marketer I know that the customer will be looking at them again and again as they use it.
(Author signing at the Librarian Lounge, Ryan Higgins signed “Bruce’s Big Move” while Bruce posed for pictures)
The most valuable event for me was the Library Journal’s Shout and Share, where librarians give a list of the books they were most excited about. I wish I could book-talk like them! I’m also impressed that they are able to grab a book from the show floor and give a presentation on it, sometimes within hours, usually within a day! They said they would post the list on Library Journal, if you’re interested.
People who were serious about picking up every signed arc they could get shipped off their books right on the show floor. Some folks were using wheeled carts, something that used to be forbidden.
Another useful thing was “the vital bookstore” which was a representation of a bookstore with different display ideas, with tours given by experienced book store owners who talked about what worked and didn’t work (hint: face out as much as you can). My husband would have enjoyed the extensive talk about lighting. I trailed behind two book store owners on my tour, occasionally blurting out things that the others listened to with a bemused raised eyebrow, leaving me feeling like a child at a cocktail party. My biggest takeaway from the tour was that I do need to pursue improving the lighting, perhaps by buying a light fixture that attaches to shelving.
I am debating whether I want to go next year. I do enjoy the trip, I just wish there were more educational sessions that had value to me. If I do go next year, I will try to bring a wheeled suitcase, and plan a city excursion as well.
