BookExpo 2003: Librarians at the Center

BookExpo America (BEA) migrates back to Los Angeles after four years touring in Chicago and New York. From Friday, May 30, to Sunday, June 1, participating librarians will enjoy the Hollywood Hills and solid recognition of their vital place in the publishing world. This year, librarians are more important to the conference than ever before, a sentiment born out in discounted registration and specialized programming.

Conference organizers have dropped the price of registration and introduced a new one-day pass for librarians wanting a shorter stay. One day is now only $35, and a three-day pass goes for $95 ($65 if purchased before May 4). Both passes must be paid for in advance (register at www.bookexpoamerica.com) and can be picked up at the conference. Organizers also worked with local libraries and the California Library Association to set up discounts. The plans seem to be working. Over 200 librarians from the host city's Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) will attend, and BookExpo expects 20 percent more librarians than the 800 who attended last year's show in New York.

Organizers want to make BEA work for publishing in all its forms, as represented by the over 2000 companies on the show floor. But in keeping with the growth of the Spanish Book Pavilion, they are pushing the show as the U.S. conference for Spanish-language books. In addition to programming focused on this market, librarians can purchase Spanish-language books at discounts at the new La Librería Mundial (the Global Bookstore), located in a conference room. Inquire at Fondo Cultura Económica USA (booth 4717) for more information.

This year's author lineup has a decidedly political bent, with Madeleine Albright, Molly Ivins, and Michael Moore in attendance. A full listing of author signings will be posted at BEA's web site in mid-May.

Plan to arrive a day early for LJ's annual Day of Dialog (see below), and stop by the LJ booth (outside the entrance to West Hall) to get the latest on LJ programs. Take breaks with our editors throughout the show at LJ's Librarian's Lounge (booth 5061), or, if you need a rest across the hall, at BWI's Hospitality Room (booth 3400). Above all, have fun! The events listed are free, except where noted.

9 a.m.–4 p.m.

A Day of Dialog for Publishers, Librarians, and Vendors (Los Angeles PL, Central Library, 630 W. 5th. St. at Flower)
This perennial SRO event, cohosted by LJ's Francine Fialkoff and LAPL's Susan Kent, starts with breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Four panels fill out the day. Distributors and librarians ask, "Why Can't the Library Be More Like Amazon or B&N?" Publishing insiders (and a guest author) describe the landscape for prospecting for authors on tour. In the afternoon, authors and readers explore the process of producing an audiobook. And book publishers and editors, among them Norton president Drake McFeely, Random's Jonathan Karp, Knopf's Patricia Johnson, and Harcourt's Andre Bernard, discuss the fall lists and trends in publishing. The event is free, with lunch at noon and happy hour starting at 4 p.m., both offered in the LAPL courtyard. To register, fill out a simple form at www.lapl.org/dayofdialog.

4:30– 6 p.m.

Editor and Bookseller Buzz Forum (Theatre Room 411)
This rare gathering of editorial leaders promises deep insight into the impulses and ideas that shape books today. The panelists include Knopf's Sonny Mehta, Norton's Starling Lawrence, and Simon & Schuster's Alice Mayhew.

7:30–9 a.m.

Random House/LJ Author Breakfast for Collection Development Librarians (Rm. TBA)
For the 12th year running, Random House will bring four authors with fall books to kick off BEA with librarians. Think fiction with Laurie R. King (Keeping Watch, Bantam), Jeanne Ray (Eat Cake, Shaye Areheart/Crown), Alexander McCall Smith (The Kalahari Typing School for Men, Pantheon), and April Smith (Good Morning, Killer, Knopf). For an invitation, contact Marcia Purcell at mpurcell@randomhouse.com .

11:30 a.m.–noon

Library Best Practices for eBook & Digital Materials Circulation (eBook Experience Pavilion, Concourse Lobby)
You'll have three chances to catch this half-hour program by the American Library Association's Rick Weingarten. Each conference day, at the same time and place, he will present the latest on e-book collection issues and breakthroughs.

4–5 p.m.

Latino and Latin American Author Forum (Rm. 502A)
One of many programs highlighting publishing in English and Spanish for the Hispanic community, this discussion among Gioconda Belli, Alberto Fuguet, Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, and Christina Rivera-Garza will inspire. A reception for librarians, booksellers, and publishers, cosponsored by Críticas magazine and the Association of American Publishers, will follow.

5:30–7 p.m.

ABA's Annual Celebration of Bookselling (Concourse Hall)
Join in the food, the drink, and the anticipation of the announcement of the 2003 Book Sense Book of the Year Award winners.

8–9:30 am

Book & Author Breakfast (Concourse Hall, $25)
Don't miss the once-in-a-blue-moon chance to hear Toni Morrison (Love, Knopf), as she shares the stage with other notables: Jhumpa Lahiri (The Namesake, Houghton), Gerry Adams (A Further Shore: Ireland's Long Road to Peace, Random), and host Noah Adams (The Flyers , Crown).

noon–2 p.m.

Saturday Book & Author Luncheon: MediaTalk (Concourse Hall, $40)
Al Franken (Lies: And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them, Dutton), Molly Ivins (Bushwhacked, Random), Bill O'Reilly (Who's Looking Out for You?, Broadway Bks.), and Tucker Carlson (Politicians, Partisans and Parasites: My Adventures in Cable News, Warner) are all unlikely to hold back, no matter who's buying lunch.

1–3 p.m.

Emerging Voices (Room 407)
BEA isn't just about best-selling authors. Hear up-and-comers read from their newest work. Just a few on the roster are Kevin Brennan (Parts Unknown, Morrow), Theia Amanda Ward (Sleep Toward Heaven, MacAdam Cage), and Jean Harfenist (A Brief History of the Flood , Knopf).

1–5:15 p.m.

Afternoon with Graphic Novelists (Room 406A)
A series of programs focuses on aspects of buying and marketing graphic novels, but this afternoon will give plenty of depth. At 1 p.m. hear about the youth scene, and stay for an exploration of the adult milieu at 2:30 p.m. Then, at 3:30 p.m., make a list of the graphic novels your library must have this season, and hear authors discuss their art. This will be directly followed by a discussion with graphic novel guru Neil Gaiman (The Sandman), at 4:30 p.m.

1–2:30 p.m.

What the Web Teaches Us About Readers and the Books They Read (Rm. 405)
Where are readers hearing about the next book they'll ask for? DearReader.com's Suzanne Beecher, The Book Report Network's Carol Fitzgerald, and Readerville.com's Karen Templer share their ideas on how the web is changing where readers get book news and reviews.

1:30-3:30 p.m.

From the Writer's Mind to the Reader's Hands: How a Book Is Born (Rm. 404B)
Barbara Hoffert, LJ's Book Review Editor, reprises her popular look behind the scenes of book publishing. Friends of Libraries U.S.A. (FOLUSA) partners with John Wiley & Sons and W.W. Norton to pair Pulitzer Prize–winning critic Michael Dirda (An Open Book: Coming of Age in the Heartland, Norton) with representatives from Wiley Business Group's publishing, marketing, and editorial departments. Books from Wiley and signed advanced reader's copies of Dirda's work will be given away.

3-4:30 p.m.

Providing Library Books & Reading Materials to Non-English-Speaking Patrons (Rm. 405)
Librarians Ani Boyadjian (Los Angeles Central Lib.), Gina LaForce (St. Paul PL), and Laura Lent (San Francisco PL) share their expertise at serving growing multilingual communities.

4-5 p.m.

The Heard Word: BEA's Audio Book & Author Tea (Concourse Hall, $15)
Meet the people behind the voices: Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez (The Dirty Girls Social Club, Audio Renaissance), T. Jefferson Parker (Cold Pursuit, Brilliance Audio), and Doris Roberts (Are You Hungry, Dear? , Audio Renaissance).

4:30–5:30 p.m.

Writers on the Verge/Nuevos exponentes de la literatura latina (Rm. 504)
If you think Latino and Spanish-language literature is just about Magic Realism, come hear breakout authors read.

5:30–6:30 p.m.

BookSense.com Poetry Slam (Rm. 306 A/B)
Listen as aspiring poets compete with their spoken work in the coffee-house tradition that parties with poetry. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and coffee will be served.

6–8 p.m.

LJ Cocktail Party for Librarians, with the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
Join colleagues, LJ editors, and sponsors Ingram Library Services and McGraw-Hill for the annual bash. Contact Ann Kim at akim@reedbusiness.com for an invitation or information on LJ events (or stop by the booth or Librarian's Lounge).

9 p.m.

Evening with Ellen (The Wiltern, $25 for one ticket, $45 for two, and $100 for five)
Comic Ellen DeGeneres is likely to have withering, and funny, insights into the book industry. Her solo performance is a benefit for the Book Industry Foundation.

8–9:30 a.m.

Book & Author Breakfast (Concourse Hall, $25)
Get political on Sunday morning, with Madeleine Albright (Madame Secretary, Miramax), Maxine Hong Kingston (The Fifth Book of Peace, Knopf), and Michael Moore, on his forthcoming book from Warner. Walter Isaacson (Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, S. & S.) will host.

10:30 a.m.–noon

Sunday Book & Author Tea (Concourse Hall, $15)
If breakfast is too heavy, you can opt for morning tea with Jonathan Lethem (The Fortress of Solitude, Broadway Bks.), Cristina García (Monkey Hunting, Knopf), Dennis Lehane (Shutter Island, HarperCollins), Suzan-Lori Parks (Getting Mother's Body, Random), and Anita Diamant (Pitching My Tent , Scribner).