Book Expo America 2012
Book ExpoAmerica is the largest annual publishing event in North America, with 30,000 members of the industry coming together to preview the latest crop of prospects for the Fall. As Library Journal says enthusiastically, “Come to Manhattan at the beginning of June and let BookExpo America (BEA) reinvigorate you with its mix of author buzz, new discoveries, and contact with bookies from near and far…. For the first time, BEA will be open to the public on Thursday, June 7, and will stream author events widely on the web.”
This year, BEA has particularly large star power, as expo-goers have a chance to see two rock stars in A Conversation with Neil Young and Patti Smith, which will take place on Wednesday, June 6. Patti and Neil’s discussion will focus on his upcoming book, Waging Heavy Peace. Young writes about growing up in Canada, playing in several bands: Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Crazy Horse. The book will include, among other things, stories of “the LSD-laden boulevards of 1966 Los Angeles,” according to Young’s publisher.
Patti’s recent memoir Just Kids about her early years in New York with Robert Mapplethorpe was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and the L.A. Times Book Prize, one of Publishers Weekly’s Top 10 books of 2010, and won the National Book Award for nonfiction.
Steve Rosato, Show Manager for BEA says, “This will be a huge attraction for everyone attending our show. Booksellers, media, and other book industry professionals have a unique opportunity to be a part of a very exclusive once-in-a-lifetime event. We are honored to have Mr. Young and Ms. Smith at BEA.”
Another attraction of the convention, especially for small publishers, is the chance to meet with booksellers. Even in a changing world for books, often booksellers’ approval and promotion have the ability to change an author with a book that only a few people have heard of into an international bestseller. “I still think this is an evangelical business,” said Dan Farley, the president and publisher of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. “It’s about advocacy, and booksellers kick-start word of mouth.”
If you can’t make it to New York City for BEA, check out the BEA Buzz e-book, an awesome free offering from Publishers Lunch. The e-book has excerpts from new novels featured at BEA by authors Junot Díaz, Mark Helprin, Rhoda Janzen, Barbara Kingsolver, Jessica Khoury, Dennis Lehane, J.R. Moehringer, Neil Young, and many others. Enjoy the free preview!
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About The Author:
Jane Jonas
Jane Jonas is the CEO of Eyeth Studios, LLC (http://www.eyethstudios.com). Jane grew up in the Bay Area, and has always been somewhat obsessed with technology and literature. Her first efforts at entrepreneurship came in elementary school. At age seven, she used her Apple IIc to write up newsletters with stories and jokes, and then peddled them to the neighbors. That early drive for independence and creativity has never faded. Throughout her career, she has been involved with establishing underground newsletters with groundbreaking journalism stories, interviewing, filming and editing videos, designing and producing websites, and administrating employees. This diverse background led to the formation of Eyeth Studios in 2006. In her spare time, Jane enjoys mothering her two rhodesian ridgebacks, cooking gourmet messes, and reading as much as possible. Her personal website and CV may be found at janejonas.com.
Judy Jonas posted on June 2, 2012
What a line up of great authors! Can’t wait to read both books by
Smith and Young…