Summer and the City

In New York City, the frenzy that was Book Expo America 2011 came to a close yesterday.  Many articles written by those in attendance seem to echo a common sentiment that publishing isn’t dead.  In fact, according to Paul Yamazki, head buyer at City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco, Hardcover Fiction is Back. 

It’s good to see some positive energy coming out of an industry that has had a tough recent couple of years.  Be sure to swing by BEA 2011’s podcast to catch up on some great presentations.

As many of you know who are sweating in upper eighty and lower ninety degree weather, Summer feels like it’s here.  I know the solstice makes it official, but I’ve got a sunburn that says different.  Apparently, the publishing industry also judges the change of season in its own way.  Following BEA, many of those working in New York City begin a time-honored tradition called Summer Fridays: Work till one and spend the rest of the day enjoying the weather, a book, or doing whatever they fancy.  Our Subsidiary Rights Manager at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management, Lauren E. Abramo, will tell you all about it here.  Try not to hate your life after you read her post.

Book Expo America 2011

The big thing in publishing right now is, without a doubt, Book Expo America.  A sort of a literary Hajj, editors, agents, booksellers, and authors alike all make their yearly journey to the Mecca of the industry, New York City, to see what’s new and what’s coming up in the near future.

Being the second day into the event, I thought I might catch you up on everything groovy that’s happening on the convention floor if, like me, you were unable to make the show this year.

Over at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management, my agent John Rudolph gives his impressions on what he’s seen this year.  It seems energy and excitement are up from the last couple of years, though free galleys are down. 

At GalleyCat, they’ve put together a showcase of the huge banners hanging from the rafters.  Would it be BEA without an Oprah tribute?  All hail the queen.

Literary agent Janet Reid gives us an impression of what it’s like scurrying about the floor, trying to avoid the cheap seats during that kinetic first day.  Stay tuned, because she promises more for the coming days.

And if your interested in the presentations given at BEA, check out BookExpoCast.  There, you’ll find a full audio presentation of the Children’s Book Buzz (Emceed by Julian Moore!) and a full video presentation of the Editor Buzz Panel.   

Lastly, Publishers Weekly is staying on top of all the latest news and stories at the event as it unfolds.  See their most recent article here.