Jacob Javits Convention Center, NYC. Home to annual car and dog shows. In a few days, host to something a bit more interesting. The biggest author and book event is the US, Book Expo America.
A general description:
BookExpo America (commonly referred to within the book publishing industry as BEA) is the largest annual book trade fair in theUnited States. BEA is almost always held in a major city over four days in late May and/or early June. Nearly all significant book publishers in the United States, and many from abroad, have booths and exhibits at BEA, and use the fair as an opportunity to showcase upcoming titles, sell current books, socialize with colleagues from other publishing houses, and sell and buy subsidiary rights and international rights (although not on the scale of the rights negotiation that occurs at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October). Authors, Readers, librarians, and buyers for book retailers also attend the event.
Keyword: READERS.
Did I drop $100+ for a badge, granting me admission to the exhibits and events? Nah.
I don’t need to sign up and have breakfast with a published author. I do that every day.
I won’t be standing in lines or listening to panels or filling a bag with publisher swag. No.
I love books. I love authors. But I’m going there for another reason, to work, to spread the word, to market, promote, and advertise.
During the last few months, I received several emails from the BEA, asking me if I wanted to pay (a lot) for placement in their showcases or purchase similar services. I declined. I’ll be out front, on the sidewalk, in the parking lot, near the front door if security allows, reaching the readers before they even enter the convention center. No fees, free. As an indie, my budget is low, but I’ve got time, tenacity, and comfortable shoes.
If you are attending, enjoy. Say hello if you see me.
I’ll be wearing this:
Handing out 5000 of these:
And 1000 of these:
Good luck Brian, should be fun dodging the security guys once the promoters figure out what’s going on out the front. Carpe Diem! Respect REDdog
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Thanks.
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btw, just out of curiosity, how did you find me and why follow?
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While searching for specific tags in the reader, wordpress recommended your blog, I checked it out, and liked the content.
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Very interesting. I don’t usually use tags or categories since the early days when I was still learning how to get my ramblings published, no reason, just don’t feel the need to generate traffic, I s’pose, and yet it has anyway…I wonder, can you recall the specific tags you were searching at the time?
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Can’t recall the exact tags, writing in general. They recommend based on sites similar to ones I follow, ones related bloggers I follow. Somehow, it pointed me to yours.
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Thanks for indulging me Brian, I admit to finding the whole connection process quite interesting, especially the random aspects. Cheers and good luck again
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No problem, and thanks.
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Thank you for hooking into my blog, hope you find it interesting.
How was your experience of BEA? Fruitful?
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Yeah, it was very good. Challenging, grueling, but successful. Thanks for asking.
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I love BEA. Skipping it this year, but really, it is the best.
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Sounds like a great plan. I wish you the best of luck. I, for one, think your book is awesome! By the way, I am now following you on Twitter under the name Leila Oakes… my alter ego. I’ll find you on FB too with that name.
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Sara, thank you. I truly appreciate your support. I’ll be on the lookout for Leila, and yes, send me a friend request on FB.
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I adore and envy your sense of adventure. Here’s wishing you lots of luck and stay safe 😉
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Good luck with it! Stephen King went door to door with copies of his novel in the trunk of his car. Respect to you.
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Thanks.
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Props to your guts! (thanks for the follow of my little seedling a few days ago!) Respect to you and your work. Your tenacity is lovely. 🙂 Hopefully it all goes down without too much trouble. I understand all too well finances getting in the way of progress.
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Good for you, and good luck. What you have – the energy and tenacity – are the things I lack, and the reasons why I hesitate to self-publish. And thanks for following me. Glad you found me, so I could find you.
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Good for you! Well said – I hope you make some good connections.
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I’ve never been (never know when it is and anyway never have the time off), but this sounds like pretty much one of the best opportunities an indie author could ask for. Will there be a recap post afterwards?
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This is my first. Taking two days off from my day job. It’s a great opportunity. Several thousand book lovers all in one place. Possibly a follow up post, if I can find the time. Thanks for your comment.
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Very best of luck Brian. I hope you create tremendous interest in your work.
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Thanks, David.
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well done to you. Marketing must be one of the hardest things to do.
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Good Luck!
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Good luck & best wishes..
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Wishing you the best of luck and admire your pluck and determination. You have given me an idea for Frankfurt’s book caper; perhaps I’ll be out there next year following your example:)
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Until recently, I had been totally oblivious to the concept of Indie authors. But the more I have read about them ( through blog posts), the more I have come to respect them (and you). So all the very best for BEA! And thanks for visiting my blog and following.
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Well done! Good luck with the plan. Let us know how it goes. I performed a “guerrilla” operation at an Arts and Crafts Fair here in Spain a few weeks ago. Some “proper” writers were in attendance offering to sign and sell their books. I merely handed out some “flyers” about my ebooks and some business cards. Generated quite a bit of activity and sales during the following week.
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Break a leg! You’re a brave man.
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You’re my hero. Please follow up with a post about your BEA experience.
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Good luck, Brian. Hopefully this will draw more attention to your book. Also, I would like to read and review it for my blog.
Marion
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You go, Brian! My traditional pub paid my way into the BEA *years* ago when it was in Chicago. It was great to meet her there (I was based in Ohio at the time; she was in Texas), but the overall experience as a writer was pretty demoralizing, believe it or not. I bumped into another writer (our conference ID tags said “AUTHOR” to distinguish us from PUBLISHER or other labels) who was feeling the same way. My sister, who works for a publishing company, told me the focus of BEA is NOT on authors nor writing, but on publishing. The BEA was (at least at that time) the Big Dance for publishers — connecting to each other and to distributors to buy and sell.
I’m really curious to find out how your experience goes as an indie author operating outside the dance hall, Brian, especially in the follow-up. Was it worth the time and effort and $$ that you put into the materials to hand out? Did you make any significant contacts?
Kudos on finding an imaginative way to make a conventional event work for you in an unconventional way 🙂 So in keeping with the indie spirit!
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Reblogged this on Living and Lovin.
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Working hard – that’s what all of us need to do – in both our writing and in getting it out there. Wish you the best.
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Thanks for following my blog! I independently published my poetry book and I’m debating how to publish my novel. I’ll be around now and then. Good to meet you!
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Keep us posted on the results, please.
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Best of luck to you – I hope that once my book is completed (very soon!), I’ll have the balls to do something as adventurous and kickass as this!
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thanks for the follow I like the manifesto …
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Ah! I so wish I was going. Enjoy!
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Hi, I’ve never heard of BEA before, sounds cool. Too bad it’s not in my city. I’m always looking for a good read. Have fun.
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I feel the “do whatever it takes” approach to promoting yourself very motivating!
You set a great example – effort will be rewarded!
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Hope it went well for you and thank you for following my Australian blog!
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Hi Brian!
Thanks for following. I’m a happy camper now you are joining me as I trip around by RV, plane, car and time machine to the past.
Comments, compliments, critiques and wisecracks are most welcome.
Good luck to you. Love your header. Do kids know what it is? Haha.
“See” you again soon.
Which Way Now 101 aka Carol
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Your photo brought back memories Brian of an exhibition I went to at the Javits, the first ever I think, in the 80s. It was boiling hot, no air-con, no cafes. I remember we walked four blocks straight into a bar and ordered three beers each! Good luck! SD
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Hindie Iero.
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