What’s BEA’s Mission?

I read your article on the BEA and BEC (Oct. 6). Here’s my take:

I have been a book rep for 33+ years (and was a bookseller for a couple of years before that). I’ve represented major New York publishers, regional Northwest publishers, a regional wholesaler and currently I am a commission rep.

The lamentations of publishers over lack of sales generated at BEA is a self-fulfilling prophecy. The complaint I hear most often from booksellers is that no one in publishers’ booths will speak to them or write an order. I’ve seen this firsthand as well. Rights, publicity and marketing are what publishers talk about at BEA.

This past year in L.A., attendance by booksellers was most affected by costs—transportation, hotels, food, etc.

While publishers may love New York, booksellers are outraged by the costs of getting, eating and staying there. Unless there have been major renovations to the Javits Center since my last visit four years ago, that place is a disgrace. Booksellers get bored going to the same venue year after year. Witness the Chicago experiment of a decade ago—four straight years with dwindling numbers.

Believe it or not, I still have nearly 300 bookstores in my database here in the Northwest. Maybe 10% to 15% ever go to BEA because of the costs. Many house reps don’t call on most stores because of corporate cost-cutting measures.

BEA used to be held Memorial Day weekend, when bookstores are not terribly busy, so owners and buyers could get away. Many business-oriented hotels offer savings on that weekend because business travelers are at home. I haven’t stayed at a BEA hotel in years. I can always find housing at lower costs, even in New York, L.A. and Chicago.

BEA needs to determine if it wants to go back to being a book-buying show or if it wants to become a marketing-only show. If it chooses the latter (the direction it clearly is moving toward), then publishers shouldn’t complain about the lack of sales.

Jim Harris

Issaquah, Wash.