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Linda Goodnight | Cinderella at the Book Expo
June 3, 2009
I just returned from New York City and my very first trip to the Book Expo of America (BEA). For the
uninitiated, BEA is an enormous trade show of publishers exhibiting their
authors, books and other forms of media. People from literally all over the
world gathered at the Javits Center on the Hudson River for several days of
sales, book signings, workshops, and general schmoozing. The BEA buzz is noisy, energizing and exhausting. My feet are still recovering.
Authors from every genre—children’s books to nonfiction to romance-were in
abundance. Posters and banners bearing names such as Debbie Macomber, Oliver
North, R.L. Stine, and literally dozens of others lined the walls and hung from
the ceilings. All were scheduled to sign free books for anyone willing to stand
in some very long lines. On a personal note, I had a couple of special highlights. One was a fun and
friendly audio interview done by “All About Romance” to be aired online at
their website at a future date. For someone with an Oklahoma twang, I’m a
little nervous about hearing my voice online. Probably my favorite thing was signing my latest release from Steeple Hill, THE BABY BOND, in the
Harlequin booth. Librarians and book store owners are very high on my favorites
list, so I was thrilled to discover most of my visitors fell into one of these
categories. I signed books for folks from as far away as Germany and China to
men and women right there in New York and New Jersey. More than one commented
on the “awww” inspiring cover of a firefighter holding a baby. Who can resist
either one? I had a great time outside of the trade show, too. My editor took me to a
trendy subterranean restaurant in SoHo, Mercer’s Kitchen. The steak with
shitake mushrooms and caramel sauce was amazing. Later we attended a gallery
showing, also in SoHo, of Harlequin’s cover art where tuxedoed waiters sashayed
around with trays of hors d’oeuvres and champagne while I hobnobbed with New
York Times Bestsellers and Harlequin royalty. I felt so very New York. But Cinderella couldn’t stay at the ball forever, and now I’m back in the real
world, brainstorming my next book for Love Inspired, “Sins of the
Father”. Ah, the life of a writer.
Comments
10 comments posted.
Re: Linda Goodnight | Cinderella at the Book Expo
I absolutely love independent book store owners, whether they be new or used books. They have a wonderful love for the written word that is unsurpassed!
(LuAnn Morgan 1:09pm June 3, 2009)
I love independent book stores! I can always find new or used books that I'm looking for!
(JoAnn White 1:23pm June 3, 2009)
Sounds like you had a blast!
(Kelli Jo Calvert 1:31pm June 3, 2009)
Conventions are fun, because there's so much going on and you get to be part of the action. I sympathize with your tootsies and look for something soft to stand on instead of cement. Indie bookstores are the best with personalized service and recommendations. I love when a handwritten review is on the shelf along with a few stars.
(Alyson Widen 2:23pm June 3, 2009)
Linda, you were very lucky. The trade show sounds very interesting. When Bob and I travel, the first thing I do is scope out the bookstores. I have to have my 'book fix'.
(Rosemary Krejsa 3:41pm June 3, 2009)
So many books and authors in one place! Sounds like a lot of fun.
(Judy Anderson 3:46pm June 3, 2009)
Even Cinderella has to rest sometime! I also make a list of bookstores when we travel. I have found some really interesting ones!
(Karin Tillotson 3:57pm June 3, 2009)
I stop in to any bookstore I can find when on vacation, just for the pleasure of it
(Diane Sadler 7:12pm June 3, 2009)
What a wonderful event. Would love to
go, but don't see it happening any
time soon. I work in a small library.
Wish I could convince them this would
be a worth while expense. Won't
happen, we don't have enough money
for books.
Am glad you enjoyed it. Good luck
with your next book. I might see you
at one of the future BEAs.
(Patricia Barraclough 11:07pm June 3, 2009)
Looking forward to going to BEA's event one day.. Maybe next year. I am always looking at books.. Keep plenty on hand for my online used and new bookstore... I have you on my summer list of reads thanks for a great blog. I was trying to figure out how much money I would need to have on hand when I get to go to BEA and you mentioned the books are free.. Have never heard that before.. I heard the proceds got to a cherity so I thought that was the books sales...
thanks for your blog
(Dona West 1:06pm June 28, 2009)
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