BookExpo 2005: the grandest book "party" comes back to the publishing capital of the world

Black Issues Book Review, May-June, 2005 by Robin Green

What: BookExpo America 2005

Where: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. New York, NY

Who: More than 2,000 exhibitors and 500 authors

When: June 2-5, 2005

Educational Programs: June 2-June 5

African American Pavilion: Booths 1218-1240

International Rights Marketplace: June 3-June 5

Exhibition Halls: June 3-June 5, 2005

BookExpo America (BEA), the largest annual conference in America for the publishing industry, returns to the Jacob Javits Center in New York City this June. This venue is a favorite among many major players in the publishing industry whose headquarters line the streets of Manhattan. Proximity allows more of their key players to attend and rub elbows with the up-and-coming and the already established people in the world of book publishing.

Who attends BEA? Everyone with a role in publishing, including agents, authors, booksellers, distributors, editors, illustrators, publicists, publishers and reviewers--even a few book dubs--put in an appearance. BEA boasts more than 2,000 exhibits, 500 authors and over 80 conference sessions, as well as a special area for dealing in publishing rights. It is the publishing mega-trade show where the full scope of publishing, marketing, distribution and sales is presented, examined and adjusted. Classes, seminars and roundtables abound. Deals are struck at power lunches and cocktail receptions. This is the place to check out the competition, to make new connections, to establish and solidify relationships and to score.

There is no better way to grasp the sheer magnitude of the publishing industry than viewing two humongous convention floors packed end to end with booths housing every conceivable industry player, ranging from international publishing magnates to bookmark manufacturers.

No matter what end of the business you are in, BEA is worth the investment. Booksellers and distributors can see all the new titles across all categories and more than cover the cost of their trip by taking advantage of some of the thousands of show specials available only at BEA. Agents, editors, publishers, publicists can add new authors to their roster. Reviewers can see what's coming down the pike and booklovers can stock up on new releases from every genre under the sun.

The American Booksellers Association (ABA) will host educational programs on Thursday, June 2, with courses on marketing, inventory management, competition and business alliances. Sessions will run throughout the convention, highlighting the benefits of ABA membership, including legal advocacy, legislative updates, Web site and gift-card programs, technology updates, discounts and contacts.

High Impact on the Black Side

For African Americans, the kickoff is the annum African American Booksellers Conference (AABC). The AABC will run from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2005. Clara C. Villarosa, recently retired from Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem, and Emma Rodgers of Black Images Book Bazaar in Dallas coordinate the day's events. The culminating event is a reception featuring a tribute to Gordon Parks in celebration of his 90th birthday and the release of his latest book, A Hungry Heart (Atria Books, November 2005).

Several other organizations sponsor exciting activities offsite. Faye Childs of BlackBoard Publishing Co. will host her annual literary awards reception at the new Time-Warner Center at 59th Street and Columbus Circle on Saturday, June 4 from 7 to 10 P.M. The awards recognize outstanding African American writers of fiction, nonfiction and children's books, as well as an outstanding bookseller and publisher.

Lynnette Velasco, president of Black Americans in Publishing, says her organization is finalizing plans for a panel discussion aimed at empowering African American booksellers, distributors and publishers.

On the convention floor, this is the second year of the African American Publishers Pavilion, organized by Niani Colom of Genesis Press, Tony Rose, publisher and CEO of Amber Books and Adrienne Ingrum, associate publisher of Black Issues Book Review.

After the 2003 BookExpo, they developed the idea of leveraging the participation of African American publishers for greater impact at the conference, as well as on the participants' bottom lines. Together they coordinated a 1,400 square foot space that housed leading African American publishers including BIBR, Amber Books, Genesis Press, Third World Press, BlackBoard Times, FYOS Entertainment, Strebor Books International, Walk Worthy Press, Red Sea/Africa World Press, Literally Speaking, Just Us Books and Black Americans in Publishing.

The AA Pavilion maximized the publishers' exposure, presented a united front and generated a steady stream of foot traffic and significant sales. This year, the publishers want to continue to take responsibility for creating their own image and displaying their diversity.

African American Booksellers Conference

Thursday, June 2, 2005

11:30 A.M. Opening Session and Luncheon--Room 1E 12-13

Welcome: Clara C. Villarosa, formerly of Hue-Man Bookstore and Cafe, Harlem, New York