BEA Preview 2011 | The BEA Beat
Manhattan’s Javits Center is still home to the year’s big book show May 1, 2011BookExpo America (BEA), the largest event of the North American publishing industry year, is again at New York’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, May 23–26, but look for a few tweaks. It’s still midweek, but the exhibit hall will return to a three-day schedule and will be all on one level. For those wanting to primp for prime networking in the evenings, the hall’s daily hours will end earlier than before (5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, and Wednesday, May 25; 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 26).
All the details should be truly at hand, as BEA has expanded its mobile access to include interactive maps, program updates, and more for web-enabled phones or ereaders.
Trend watch
If you’re looking to tap into information about market trends and the latest in technology, the educational programming surrounding the exhibits is robust.
If you can arrive a day early, check out options at the American Booksellers Association (ABA) Day of Education at the Javits Center the day before BEA exhibits open. All BEA registrants may attend (www.bookweb.org/events/bea).
The International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) will be at Javits May 23–24. Find panels and demonstrations on the latest digital publishing and new media technologies and trends and browse the IDPF Digital Zone’s vendor exhibits. (Separate registration includes admittance to BEA; idpf.org/digitalbook2011.)
Newly convening the day after BEA will be the second annual Book Blogger Convention on Friday, May 27. Registrants will receive a complimentary badge for access to the BEA exhibit floor (www.bookbloggerconvention.com).
New York Book Week will be hosting author events and readings at literary sites around the city, May 23–27 (some free and some ticketed, with BEA discounts; www.bookexpoamerica.com/Concurrent-Events/New-York-Book-Week).
Of course, LJ will be at BEA. Go to www.LibraryJournal.com/bea2011 for information on all BEA events, including Day of Dialog and more. Also come visit the Librarians’ Lounge (#2052) to rest, snack, and chat with friends, colleagues, and LJ editors. We look forward to seeing you!
MONDAY, May 23
8 a.m.–6 p.m.
School Library Journal Day of Dialog (Fordham University, Lincoln Center Campus); registration required
SLJ will be hosting a full day of informative and entertaining programs, including panels on Diversity in YA lit; the Children’s App Landscape; Picture Book Biographies; Stellar Debut Authors—and Lemony Snicket at lunch! Register at slj.com/dayofdialog2011.
9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Audio Publishers Association Conference (APAC) (Rms. TBA)
This day-long meeting includes a session on “What Reviewers Are Looking For,” with reviewers and editors from LJ, AudioFile, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist (1:30–2:30 p.m.). Separate registration at www.audiopub.org/conference-registration.asp.
9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Library Journal Day of Dialog for Publishers, Vendors, and Librarians (McGraw-Hill Conference Center); registration required
Programs include the popular Editors’ Picks, an authors’ panel that cuts across fiction and nonfiction, The New Yorker’s senior librarian speaking as a debut author, and star thriller writer Karin Slaughter on her campaign for libraries! Register at libraryjournal.com/dayofdialog2011.
6:30 p.m.
Annual BEA Librarians Dinner (Yale Club, 52 Vanderbilt Ave., Grand Ballroom)
Presented by AAP/LJ, this annual invite-only do will be hosted by readers’ advisory guru Nancy Pearl, with authors Kevin Zraly, Dava Sobel, Meghan O’Rourke, Alice Hoffman, Russell Banks, and Ilene Beckerman. Invite requests can be sent to Tina Jordan: tjordan@publishers.org.
TUESDAY, May 24
7:30–9 a.m.
Random House/LJ Book & Author Breakfast
Annual invite-only breakfast for librarians working in adult collection development. With Random House debut novelists Ernest Cline, Vanessa Diffenbaugh, and Erin Morgenstern, as well as Esmeralda Santiago and Craig Thompson. Info at libraryjournal.com/bea2011.
10–11 a.m.
Online Book Discovery: What Is Driving the Conversation? (Rm. 1E15)
Most of us find out about books online, but how? Experts will analyze what’s shaping online book buzz and how to work with it to your advantage.
The Great Read Alike: If You Like This…You’ll LOVE That! (AAP) (Rm. 1E16)
LJ fiction editor Wilda Williams moderates a panel of librarians discussing not simply what the hot library fiction reads have been but what readers will also love.
11 a.m.–noon
Back to the Basics: Why Home Economics Books Are the New Retro Chic (Rm. 1E16)
Sponsored by AAP Trade Libraries Cmte.
LJ editor Margaret Heilbrun moderates a panel on the latest publishing trends in self-sufficient living—an increasingly popular category. Panelists will include Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge (The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook) and librarian Jessica Pigza, host of Handmade Crafternoons at NYPL.
12:15–1:45 p.m.
BEA Librarians Author Lunch, cohosted by AAP & EarlyWord (Rm. 1A21–1A22)
Hosted by EarlyWord’s Nora Rawlinson, this invitation-only treat will include Chuck Palahniuk, Spencer Quinn, Julie Kagawa, David Baldacci, Diana Abu-Jaber, and Tom Perrotta. Contact Tina Jordan, tjordan@publishers.org, for more information.
2–3:30 p.m.
AAP Annual Librarians Book Buzz (Rm. 1A21–1A22)
A great chance to hear from publishing insiders on what forthcoming titles they’re excited about—and why! A round-robin format will encourage librarians to share their own insider knowledge about trends.
3–4 p.m.
Hot Fall Book Club Titles (Rm. 1E15)
Carol Fitzgerald (ReadingGroupGuides.com) moderates a group of publishers’ reps on the titles they’ve identified for fall book club attention.
WEDNESDAY, May 25
8–9:30 a.m.
Book & Author Breakfast (Special Events Hall)
Mindy Kaling (Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) hosts Diane Keaton (Then Again), Jeffrey Eugenides (The Marriage Plot), and Charlaine Harris (Dead Reckoning).
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Buying for Demand (Rm. 1E16)
How can you prevent being caught empty-shelved when a book suddenly spikes in popularity? EarlyWord.com’s Nora Rawlinson and Wendy Bartlett, Cuyahoga County PL, OH, offer tips on how to stay ahead of the demand curve and within budget.
11 a.m.–noon
Selling Trade Ebooks to Libraries: The Real Deal (Rm. 1E13)
A discussion of one of the most volatile issues of the day. Librarians share ideas about good models for ebook distribution. Moderated by LJ’s Josh Hadro.
Hot Fall Graphic Novels for Libraries (Rm. 1E16)
Graphic novels remain hot. A panel of librarians and educators will advise on which ones may drive up your circulation.
“The Report of My Death Was Exaggerated”: The Printed Book (Rm. 1E15)
Mythbuster: publishers are still investing in print. Powell’s Books head buyer Gerry Donaghy moderates publishers’ reps on keeping print attractive.
2–3 p.m.
Nancy Pearl: Unshelved Again (Rm. 1E14)
LJ’s 2011 Librarian of the Year returns to answer more questions from the founders of Unshelved.com, librarian Gene Ambaum and cartoonist Bill Barnes (who will be signing at LJ’s Librarians’ Lounge Tues.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–noon and Tues. and Wed., 3–4 p.m.).
3–4:30 p.m.
Book Reviews Online (NBCC) (Rm. 1E15)
National Book Critics Circle president Jane Ciabattari moderates book editorial staff from the New York Times Book Review, the Daily Beast/Newsweek, and NPR on the many new guises in which book reviews and author pieces reach readers.
3:30–4:45 p.m.
Third Annual Librarian Shout & Share (AAP/LJ) (Rm. 1E16)
LJ collection management editor Barbara Genco will host five top bookies fresh from their scout of the show floor. LJ Prepub Alert editor Barbara Hoffert; LJ’s BookSmack! columnist Douglas Lord; Columbus Metropolitan Lib.’s Robin Nesbitt; EarlyWord’s Nora Rawlinson; and King County Lib.’s Alene Moroni will share their top picks—and maybe with time for audience members to Shout & Share, too!
THURSDAY, May 26
8–9:30 a.m.
Book & Author Breakfast (Special Events Hall)
Jim Lehrer (Inside the Presidential Debates, from Kennedy-Nixon to McCain-Obama) will host Roger Ebert (Life Itself: A Memoir), Anne Enright (The Forgotten Waltz), and Erik Larson (In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin).
10–11 a.m.
From Writer to Reader (ALTAFF) (Rm. TBA)
Sponsored by Algonquin Books and the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, author Naomi Benaron (Running the Rift), winner of the biennial Bellwether Prize for a debut novel dealing with social justice, will talk with her editor, Kathy Pories. Moderated by EarlyWord’s Nora Rawlinson.
| Author Information |
| Margaret Heilbrun is Senior Editor, LJ Book Review |
