Feature: BookExpo America 2010

Robert Santoro at BEA 2010

BookExpo America (BEA) is the largest annual book trade fair in the United States. This year’s BEA spanned from May 25th to May 27th, at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York, NY. The event has changed significantly this year, taking place over fewer days and in a smaller space. Writers News Weekly recently spoke with Robert Santoro, author of Wrath, the first book in his Deadly Sins Series, about his experience at this year’s newly changed BEA.

WNW: So, what are some of your general impressions of this year’s BEA thus far?
Santoro: It’s noticeably smaller than it has been before. There’s a little more than a quarter of the space being used, which is certainly down from last year. But, they’re still selling hot dogs for 9 dollars each.

WNW: What are some highlights this year?
Santoro: Sarah Ferguson is here and I think John Grisham just walked by. You don’t generally get to see all these people together. I’m looking forward to the ForeWord Magazine awards ceremony, because I’m a finalist.

WNW: What are some negative aspects of the BEA?
Santoro: I think the smaller crowd actually makes it easier to get around, network, meet people, and see more things.

WNW: What do you think about the digital trend in writing and publishing?
Santoro: At first I thought I was going to hate it, but now I don’t know. It really seems to be catching on and making a difference. There’s been quite a buzz about all the new stuff here, but I haven’t gotten to see it yet.

Editor’s Note: Mr. Santoro’s book, Wrath, is the Bronze Winner in the fiction/mystery category of ForeWord Magazine’s 2009 Book of the Year Awards.

Roy Johnson

WNW also spoke with Roy Johnson, sales director of International Book Management Corporation (IBMC), about his experience at BEA 2010.

WNW: So, what’s your general impression of the BEA so far?
Johnson: It’s been good, based on visual displays, booths, and layout. I’ve had a good time and other attendees seem to have a favorable opinion of the event.

WNW: You’ve been to BEA in the past, and this year’s event has changed a lot—smaller size, shorter duration, etc.—how does this year’s BEA compare to past events?
Johnson: The only concern people seem to have is that it was so much shorter this year. There wasn’t a lot going on this Tuesday, so we really only had two days to do everything. There were some really elaborate displays and many attendees put a lot of effort into their booths and their presentations, so it was disappointing having so little time to see everything.

WNW: What were some of the highlights of this year’s conference?
Johnson: There was a stage set up out on the floor with a huge screen set up and it seems there were interviews being conducted up there. I didn’t take too close of a look, but basically, a person would sit up on stage and speak to a crowd of 50 or 60 people and the interview was flashed up on the screen. I assume the speakers were mostly authors. It was pretty neat. People were doing signings over there too.

WNW: Were there any problems or negative aspects that stand out?
Johnson: No. Other than being in a smaller space and taking place over fewer days, it was basically just the same ol’ BEA.

WNW: This year, BEA shared space with the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF), a leading eBook conference. Did you attend this event?
Johnson: I passed by and heard bits and pieces of the discussions going on there, but I’m not particularly familiar with the digital trend in the literary world, so I didn’t spend time at this event.

Roy Johnson handles ancillary rights of existing literary properties. He attended BEA on behalf of SterlingHouse Publisher, Inc. and the interests of other publishers. You may contact Roy Johnson by phone, at 203-460-6400, or by email, at rjohnson@internationalbookmanagement.com.