Each year, usually at the end of May, we pack our bags and head off to The American Booksellers Association's national convention, which is held during Book Expo America. We've done this twenty-six times, trekking off to venues including Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Las Vegas, Washington D.C. and our 2007 location, New York City. This is the third time in five years that the show and convention has been held in the Big Apple but what made this a bit different was the location of the "ABA Hotel." Beginning a few years ago in Los Angeles the ABA, along with BEA's managing company, began placing as many of the ABA-member bookstores in the same hotel. It has been a delight and successful beyond anyone's wildest expectations. This year, primarily for monetary reasons, the booksellers hotel was in Brooklyn. Some early critics thought the idea of staying in Brooklyn was ludicrous. However, once we all landed there, got a look at Brooklyn Heights right outside of our hotel door and realized that we were as close time-wise to the convention center as many places in mid-town, the critics slunk away. A good time was had by all.
The BEA trade show itself, which was owned and operated by ABA until the mid-90's, has always been a mix of circus side show, typical trade show and family reunion. The side show aspect has lessened some over the years but it's still possible to see silly costumes and weird promotions on the trade show floor, something that has always seemed a bit ironic in a "literary" business. Fortunately, the family reunion aspect continues and, frankly, has more appeal to me than the more typical trade show function of the gathering. It's nearly impossible, after 27 years in the business, to walk down an aisle without encountering someone who we've known for years. The "interruptions" are so frequent that some VB folks have excused themselves from walking with me so that they could get through the entire show. But, in bookselling, as in life in general, it's really the people who make everything worthwhile.
The atmosphere at this year's show and convention was pretty upbeat in spite of the constant news that folks don't seem to be reading as much and that independent bookstores' share of the market has eroded to a shadow of its former self. In fact bookstores in general, independent and corporate, have a smaller share in selling books than other bricks-and-mortar retailers. Think about it. What was the last retail store you were in that did NOT have books for sale. But, booksellers--those of us who are left--still seem to have smiles on our faces, at least some of the time.
The question the press, and others, always ask show attendees is, "what do you think the big book will be?" This year folks seemed to have trouble answering that one. There are a lot of great books coming but, perhaps, instead of one or two big ones, there will be something for everyone this fall. At least, that's what we hope.
I'm glad you're blogging now. I makes this feel more like a whole community.
Posted by: Cary | June 30, 2007 at 01:14 PM