Booksellers gather in the fall to hear the latest about aspiring authors, forthcoming books, potential markets, software technology and professional development. No matter where, no matter what—there is something for everybody at this year's nine regional trade shows.
Great Lakes Booksellers Association
Fri., Oct. 6—Sun., Oct. 8, at the Hyatt Regency, Dearborn, Mich.
Highlights: The show comes "home" to Metro Detroit and historic Dearborn.
Educational Programming: The theme of this year's educational programming is "Pirates of the Great Lakes, Hoist Your Sales!"—sponsored by Random House. Classes run Friday and Sunday, starting with Robin Allen's version of "Ideas That Work" at 9:30 a.m. Sessions continue at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. During the 10:30 a.m. segment, ABA's Len Vlahos gives a presentation on creating "killer" events while GLBA facilitators lead panels on hand-selling, co-op and business basics. Topics at the 2:30 p.m. segment include: customer communication and sales, customer service, school sales and ISBN-13. At 3:30 p.m.: Above the Treeline, nonbook items and bookstore tourism. At 1 p.m., there are publisher roundtables and children's "pick of the lists.". The day ends with a "buzz" session (4:30—5:20 p.m.) on the season's sleeper titles. Four concurrent programs take place Sunday (11:40 a.m.—12:30 p.m.) on teen reading, mysteries, author-less events and ISBN-13.
Trade Show: Exhibit hours: 9 a.m.—5 p.m. on Saturday. Autographing sessions Friday (5:30—6:10 p.m.) and Sunday (12:40—2 p.m.). The show concludes on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Authors, Authors: The "best of regional writing" is celebrated at Friday's 11th annual Great Lakes Book Awards Luncheon (11:30 a.m.—12:50 p.m.). Ridley Pearson (Peter and the Shadow Thieves) is keynote speaker at Friday's Authors Feast (7:30—9:30 p.m.); more than 24 authors are expected. A networking reception precedes the feast. Steve Hamilton (A Stolen Season), Danny Meyer (Setting the Table) and Malika Oufkir (Freedom) are confirmed for Saturday's Booksellers Banquet (7:30—9:30 p.m.). At the "merry yarn" reading room (6:15—7:15 p.m.) before the banquet, Melanie Lynne Hauser (Confessions of Super Mom) and Laura Kasischke (Boy Heaven) do the honors. There's also a kick-off reception (6—7:30 p.m.). Authors at the Sunday's Book and Author and Illustrator Breakfast (7:30—9:30 a.m.): Jennifer Armstrong (The American Story), Nikki Grimes (The Road to Paris), Jon J. Muth (I Will Hold You 'Til You Sleep), Buck Wilder (Animal Rules) and Paul O. Zelinsky (The Shivers in the Fridge). The day's "common session" is at 10 a.m.; Andy Borowitz (The Republican Playbook), David Callahan (The Moral Center) and Amy Goodman (Static) join booksellers in a discussion on politics. Mackinac Island Press and Hyperion are sponsors.
Also of Interest: A silent auction on Saturday afternoon (3:30—4:30 p.m.) benefits GLBA's First Amendment Defense Fund. The popular Quiz Bowl takes place that evening after the banquet; emceed by Carol Besse of Carmichael's Books, it features Ken Jennings (Brainiac) of Jeopardy! fame. Finally, the bookstore training and consulting group Paz & Associates holds its popular prospective booksellers school twice, in Ann Arbor and again in Dearborn (Tues., Oct. 3—Mon., Oct. 9).
Contact: Jim Dana, (800) 745-2460 or (616) 847-2460; glba@books-glba.org; www.books-glba.org.
Midwest Booksellers Association
Thurs., Sept. 28—Sat., Sept. 30, at the RiverCentre, St. Paul, Minn.
Highlights:This year's gathering is scheduled on Thursday, Friday and Saturday instead of the usual weekend arrangement. On Thursday night, attendees are invited to the second annual Midwest Booksellers' Choice Award Reception. All of the 2006 award recipients are expected to attend; 5:30—7:30 p.m.
Educational Programming: Thursday is Education Day. The free bookseller school (11 a.m.—5:15 p.m.) is open to all. ABA's Avin Domnitz, Oren Teicher and Len Vlahos; ATL's John Rubin; and MBA's board- and bookseller-members comprise the teaching staff. Sessions are arranged by "tracks": technology; financial and business management; marketing; and frontline bookselling. Topics include: e-commerce, budgeting, optimizing the buying process, hand-selling, buying and selling, and demystifying the world of graphic novels, manga and anime. Standard offerings are also available: first-timer orientation, MBA catalogue and marketing review, and emerging leaders' roundtable. In addition, ABA staff members will demonstrate Above the Treeline, BookSense.com and Constant Contact. Copies of the recent ABACUS report are available at the ABA booth.
Trade Show: Exhibit hours: 1—5:30 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m.—3 p.m. on Saturday. Autographing sessions on Friday (2:30—4:30 p.m.) and Saturday (noon—2 p.m.).
Authors, Authors:Confirmed authors at the Friday Book and Author Dinner (7:15—9:30 p.m.): Tom Drury (The Driftless Area), Sara Gruen (Water for Elephants), Jane Hamilton (When Madeline Was Young), Ward Just (Forgetfulness) and Michael Perry (Truck: A Love Story). Attendees are invited to a pre-dinner reception featuring Green Bay Packer Jerry Kramer (Instant Replay) as guest speaker. At Saturday's children's breakfast (7:30—8:45 a.m.): Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony), Ann M. Martin (On Christmas Eve), Judy Schachner (Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble) and David Wiesner (Flotsam). The traditional Author's Lunch is now the Author's Tea (3—5 p.m.). Tom Hegg and Warren Hanson, author and illustrator of A Cup of Christmas Tea, deliver the keynote address on the 25th anniversary of this bestseller. Over two dozen adult and children's authors will join the celebration. A partial list: Allen and Linda Anderson, Chris Bohjalian, Lois Bujold, Dina Cheney, Carlene Cross, Barbara Delinsky, Laura Kasischke, Katharine Lanpher, Debra Marquart, Phil Peterson, Kris Radish, Ellen Sandbeck and Patrick Somerville; Derek Anderson, Jerry Apps, Nick Bruel, Steven Caney, Mary Cummings, Gail Giles, Kimberly Willis Holt, Catharine Murdock, Celia Rees, Joanne Reisberg, Rosalyn Schanzer, Jeffrey Schatzer, Jan Neubert Schultz, and Lauren Stringer.
Also of Interest: Notable additions and changes to the schedule include a "let's talk" breakfast on Friday (7:30—8:45 a.m.) at which booksellers and publishers candidly review industry issues; and presentation of the perennial favorite "pick of the lists" on two separate days: Friday (9— 11:45 a.m.) and Saturday (9—11 a.m).
Contact: Susan Walker, (800) 784-7522 or (612) 926-5868; MBAofficeSW@aol.com; www.midwestbooksellers.org.
Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association
Thurs., Sept. 14— Sun., Sept. 17, at Denver Marriott Tech Center, Denver, Colo.
Highlights:Attendees can drop by the booths located near the registration area to check out featured software products. Demonstration hours are 1—5 p.m. on Thursday, and 9 a.m.—4 p.m. on Friday.
Educational Programming:Thursday and Friday are jammed with panels and workshops; day one starts at 9:15 a.m.; day two at 8 a.m. Thursday morning gets underway with a panel on time-saving technologies available to booksellers. MPIBA president Catherine Weller leads the discussion, with Carl Lennertz and Len Vlahos. At 10:30 a.m., Above the Treeline founder John Rubin conducts a hour-long demo of his inventory-optimization software. Then at 11:45 a.m., ABA's Kristen Gilligan explains Constant Contact, a state-of-the-art e-mail-marketing tool. After lunch, Neil Strandberg moderates a panel on digital media formats and independent bookstores. At 4 p.m., Robert Gray of FreshEyesNow.com reports on bookstore Web sites. Alternative afternoon programming includes two sessions on marketing and selling children's books at 2 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. A 5:30 p.m. cocktail hour concludes the day. On Friday Yvette Roeder of Changing Hands gives an 8 a.m. presentation on public relations and your store; Len Vlahos follows with a 9:15 a.m. workshop on communicating with your customer. The afternoon starts with a discussion on business-to-business corporate and school sales (1—2 p.m.). At roundtable discussions (2:15—4:15 p.m.) publishers, wholesalers and booksellers focus on industry issues relating to graphic novels, author events and indie publisher- and bookseller-relationship building. Financial-advertising and brand-management guru Steve Cone (Steal These Ideas! Marketing Secrets That Will Make You a Star) addresses tough marketing issues in a late-day seminar (3:30—4:15 p.m.). MPIBA's "pick of the lists" fills in the afternoon (11:30 a.m.—4 p.m.). A general membership meeting wraps up the day (4:30—5:30 p.m.).
Trade Show: Exhibit hours: 9:30 a.m.—5 p.m. on Saturday; 9 a.m.—1 p.m. on Sunday. Autographing sessions are held in conjunction with the Friday and Saturday author receptions (5:30—7:30 p.m. and 5—7 p.m., respectively).
Authors, Authors: Newbery Honor—winning author Shannon Hale (River Secrets) is honored at a special Thursday breakfast (8—9 a.m.). Confirmed authors at Thursday's YA Panel and Brown Bag Lunch (12:45—1:45 p.m.): Barry Lyga (The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl), Patricia McCormick (My Brother's Keeper) and John Smelcer (The Trap). The lunch theme is "Teen Reading—Capturing the I and My Generation (iPods, iMs, and MySpace)." This year there is no Friday author breakfast. However, that evening more than 25 writers attend the Author Reception (5:30—7:30 p.m.). At the Saturday Author Breakfast for Literacy (7:30—9:30 a.m.): Robin Chotzinoff (Holy Unexpected), Jane Hamilton (When Madeline Was Young) and Hampton Sides (Blood and Thunder). Presentation of the Gordon Saull Bookseller and Sales Rep of the Year Awards has been added to Saturday's Author Reception (5—7 p.m.). At Sunday's Children's Author and Illustrator Breakfast (7:30—9 a.m.): Jim LaMarche (Up) and Jon J. Muth (I Will Hold You 'Til You Sleep).
Also of Interest: Trade show parties are always memorable. Attendees can dance to the "high-octane honky tonk" sound of Ethyl and the Regulars at Friday's post-author reception shindig. On Sunday, after the exhibits close at 1 p.m., booksellers are invited to a cookbook celebration and buffet lunch.
Contact: Lisa D. Knudsen, (800) 752-0249 or (970) 484-5856; info@mountainsplains.org; www.mountainsplains.org.
New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association
Sat., Sept. 16 and Sun., Sept. 17, at the Valley Forge Convention Center, King of Prussia, Pa.
Highlights: A complementary continental networking breakfast kicks off weekend activities (8:30—9:30 a.m.) on Saturday, after which Carla Cohen and Barbara Meade of Politics and Prose share their business philosophy and practices in a hour-long presentation starting at 9:45 a.m. At Sunday's "breakfast of champions" (7:30—9 a.m.) sponsored by Bookazine, officials present the NAIBA Book Awards and honor the recipients of the William Helmuth Award for "sales rep of the year," Sam and Adele Herman of Como Sales. NAIBA's annual meeting and report of election results round out the proceedings.
Educational Programming: Panels and workshops take place Saturday. Random House is sponsor. NAIBA's version of "pick of the lists" is slated for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., covering the season's best titles. Three concurrent sessions begin at 2 p.m.; another set at 3:15 p.m.; last set at 4:30 p.m. Topics range from local business alliances to great regional ideas; from promotional products to book-club strategies and innovative hand-selling techniques; from cultivating YA readers to effective customer communications. Demonstrations of Above the Treeline and Constant Contact are also part of the afternoon mix. Booksellers with questions for the Politics and Prose duo can drop in on an open q&a (4:30— 5:30 p.m.). Afternoon speakers include the ABA team of Oren Teicher and Meg Smith, AMIBA's Jeff Milchen, Bookazine's Ron Rice, Random House's Russell Perreault, as well as several expert booksellers.
Trade Show: Exhibit hours are 9 a.m.—3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Autographing sessions are held that afternoon (1—3:30 p.m.).
Authors, Authors: Early arrivals on Friday get a special treat—the 8 p.m. complementary buffet supper features Book Sense favorites Lisa Scottoline (Dirty Blonde) and Lisa Tucker (Once Upon a Day). Alice McDermott (After This) and Lane Smith (John, Paul, George & Ben) are confirmed for Saturday's Legacy Luncheon (12:30—1:45 p.m.). Sunday's dinner (7:30—10 p.m.) is a "moveable feast," with authors spending time at each table. Authors include: Sunny (Mona Lisa Awakening), Paul Acampora, Mary Kay Andrews, Doreen Baingana, Mike Berenstain, Christopher Bram, Peter Catalanotto, William J. Cobb, Robert Dugoni, Jennifer Gilmore, Jeff Goodell, Sandra Hill, Virginia Kantra, Doug Marlette, Michele Martinez, Brian Morton, Arthur Phillips, Caridad Pineiro, Aviel Rubin, Carl T. Smith, Jordan Sonnenblick, Abigail Thomas and Eric Van Lustbader. Diners receive a bag of autographed books during the evening. An opening reception and exhibit preview (6—7:30 p.m.) fills out the program. HarperCollins and Ingram Book Co. are sponsors. Post-feast attendees can test their book knowledge in a team-friendly "night owl literary quiz bowl."
Also of Interest: Two enjoyable activities "bookend" the weekend: the Valley Forge National Park walk on Saturday (8—9 a.m.) and the Cookbook Buffet on Sunday (2—3:30 p.m.).
Contact: Eileen Dengler, (877) 866-2422; info@naiba.com; www.newatlanticbooks.com.
New England Booksellers Association
Fri., Sept. 15—Sun., Sept. 17, at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, R.I.
Highlights: Friday's noon Awards Luncheon launches the show. NEBA president Allan Schmid of Books, Etc. presents the Gillian Award for outstanding New England sales rep to Peter Redding of Como Sales. Richard Ford (The Lay of the Land) accepts NEBA's Lifetime Achievement award. Awards committee chair Fran Keilty of Hickory Stick Bookshop gives out the 2006 New England Book Awards: Kevin Phillips for nonfiction; Ernest Hebert for fiction; Jane Yolen for children's; Commonwealth Editions for publishing. Baker & Taylor sponsors this kick-off event.
Educational Programming: Friday's programming includes motivational speakers William C. Taylor and Polly G. LaBarre conducting a morning session (10 a.m.—noon) based on their book Mavericks at Work: Why the Most Original Minds in Business Win. The afternoon schedule includes Oren Teicher moderating a two-part session (2:30—5 p.m.) on the national campaign to "shop local." Stacy Mitchell (Big-Box Swindle) and Betsy Burton (The King's English) round out the program. Saturday's and Sunday's workshops and panels are sponsored by Random House. Saturday: Avin Domnitz presents "Know Your Customer, Increase Your Sales" (9:30—11 a.m.), followed by real-estate broker Phil Steckler of Country Business Inc. on how to value, market and sell bookstores (11 a.m.—12:30 p.m.); entrepreneur John Rubin explains his online software product Above the Treeline (11:15 a.m.—12:15 p.m.), while ABA's Jill Pearlstein demonstrates Constant Contact, a state-of-the-art e-marketing tool (11:15 a.m.—12:15 p.m.). That afternoon the New England Children's Booksellers Advisory Council (NECBA) conducts a workshop on selling children's books. Sunday: John Rubin and Jill Pearlstein return for encore presentations at 9:30 a.m.
Trade Show: Exhibit hours: 9:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m. on Saturday; 9:30 a.m.—2 p.m. on Sunday. Autographing sessions on Saturday (10:30 a.m.—3 p.m.); in-booth autographing sessions on Sunday at publishers' discretion.
Authors, Authors: Confirmed authors at the Friday Children's Author and Illustrator Dinner (6 p.m.): Jennifer Armstrong (The American Story), T.A. Barron (The Great Tree of Avalon: The Eternal Flame) and Judy Schachner (Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble). At Saturday's Breakfast with Authors (8 a.m.—): William S. Cohen (Dragon Fire), Barbara Delinsky (Family Tree) and Ward Just (Forgetfulness). Saturday's Dinner with Authors (7—10 p.m.) is a "moveable feast," with Peter Behrens, Thomas Cook, Steve Ettlinger, Lise Haines, Heidi Julavits, Charles Kenney, Michael Patrick MacDonald, Howard Norman, Charles Pierce and Suzy Staubach. The Annual Reception (6—7 p.m.) precedes the dinner. Sponsors are Bookazine Book Distributors, Houghton Mifflin and Ingram. Appearing at the Sunday Breakfast with Authors (8 a.m.): Susan Cheever (American Bloomsbury), Barry Lopez (Home Ground) and Christopher Moore (You Suck: A Love Story).
Also of Interest:On Friday, NEBA hosts a reception (5—6 p.m.) for emerging leaders at the Westin Hotel. On Saturday, members join Carole Horne of NEBA's Planning Committee at 3:30 p.m. to discuss the association's new strategic plan, followed by NEBA's annual meeting at 4:45 p.m.
Contact: Rusty Drugan, (800) 466-8711 or (617) 576-3070; rusty@neba.org; www.newenglandbooks.org.
Northern California Independent Booksellers Association
Fri., Oct. 6—Sun., Oct. 8, at the Oakland Convention Center and Oakland City Center Marriott, Oakland, Calif.
Highlights: The trade show mixes educational programming, author appearances, social activities and industry business with lots of "book time" on the floor.
Educational Programming: Friday begins on a high note when attorney-turned-author Michael Shuman (The Small-Mart Revolution) gives the keynote speech, "Top Ten Reasons Not to Shop Local—and How to Blow Them Out of the Water." Then this year's educational programming begins, in partnership with the ABA, featuring several sessions directed by ABA staff members. One notable panel is "Shop Local First," with Michael Shuman joining Betsy Burton (The King's English) and Stacy Mitchell (Big-Box Swindle). Other ABA-sponsored presentations and workshops include an introduction to Above the Treeline and a primer on selling magazines profitably. NCIBA organizers also scheduled practical business sessions, including workshops on debit cards, workmen's comp, building insurance and a peer-group discussion on bookstore design. On Friday, catch NCIBA's version of "pick of the lists"—a noontime "Lunch with a Buzz" as sales reps pitch favorite titles. Lunch attendees receive coupons to redeem selected "buzz" galleys at participating publishers' booths during show hours. Aspiring bookstore leaders gather for an hour-long meet-and-greet at 4 p.m.
Trade Show: Exhibit hours: 10 a.m.— 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Autographing sessions on Saturday (10 a.m.—3:30 p.m.) and Sunday (same hours) in designated areas.
Authors, Authors: At Friday's Welcome Reception (5—7 p.m.), John Moe (Conservatize Me) addresses the crowd. Confirmed authors at Saturday's Author Breakfast (8—10 a.m.) are: Michael Connelly (Echo Park), Carly Fiorina (Tough Choices) and Amy Goodman (Static). Saturday's dinner (7—10 p.m.) is a "moveable feast," with authors Will Beall, Betsy Burton, Laurie David, Janet Fitch, Heidi Julavits, Michael Patrick MacDonald, Eric Maisel, Stacy Mitchell, Amy Stewart, Jacqueline Winspear, Lolly Winston and John Wood. Authors at the Sunday Children's Author Breakfast (8—10 a.m.): Judy Sierra (The Secret Science Project That Almost Ate the School), Lisa Brown (How to Be) and Patrick McDonnell (Just Like Heaven).
Also of Interest:At Sunday's traditional Cookbook Celebration (1—2:30 p.m.), lingering show-goers get a chance to sample delicacies prepared from recipes taken from John Scharffenberger's The Essence of Chocolate, Andrea Nguyen's Into the Vietnamese Kitchen and Barbara Fairchild's The Bon Appétit Cookbook, among others. Booksellers get first dibs!
Contact: Hut Landon, (415) 561-7686; office@nciba.com; www.nciba.com.
Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association
Thurs., Oct. 12— Sat., Oct. 14, at the Red Lion Hotel and Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Ore.
Highlights: The buzz starts here—booksellers visit participating publishers on the exhibit floor and vote for the book they think most "buzz-worthy." Extensive promotion for "buzz" winners is promised.
Educational Programming: Thursday's educational programming takes place at the convention center with more than a dozen workshops and panels: some for booksellers, some for publishers and authors. The customary "Intro for First-timers" runs 8—8:45 a.m. A "wake up with yoga" session takes place at the same time. Several concurrent sessions are offered at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. First, "Shop Local: Forming Business Alliances in Your Community," with Oren Teicher, and "Putting Passion to Paper: Writing Great Blurbs," with Brian Juenemann. Second, "Improving Efficiency to Achieve Success," with Len Vlahos, "Taking the Mystery Out of Bargain Book Sales," with Mitch Press, and "Integrate Marketing and Publicity to Increase Sales," with Sharon Castlen and Cynthia Frank. Third, "How to Sell Anything," with Jonathan Bing, and "Writers Read Naked: Public Performance Training for Authors," with Peter Kahle and Melanie Workhoven. Fourth, "Working with Other Businesses to Sell Books," with Deb Lewis, and "Internet Marketing for New and Emerging Authors," with Bob Rogers and Dawn Stuart. There are also two "pick of the lists" presentations and a "state of the industry" luncheon with keynote speaker Chuck Palahniuk (Haunted) at midday.
Trade Show: Exhibit hours: 9:30 a.m—4:30 p.m. on Friday and 9:30 a.m.— 2 p.m. on Saturday. Autographing sessions on Friday (10:30 a.m.—noon, 2— 3:30 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m.—12:30 p.m.).
Authors, Authors: Thursday's Celebration of Authors (4—6 p.m.) focuses on books suited to handselling and authors willing to visit stores. An area bookseller introduces Pamela Aidan, Kit Bakke, Ryan Boudinot, Ron Burley, Joan Burbick, Carlene Cross, John Keeble, John Moe, Willa Schneberg and Geronimo Tagatac. That evening, these authors join colleagues at the Dessert and Autographing Party (8—10 p.m.). As in years past, this event is held at the Red Lion Hotel's Windows Skyroom. Guests include Mark Armour, Dean Aposatal, Randy Sue Coburn, Michael Donnelly and Chris Santella. Confirmed authors at the Friday Book and Author Breakfast (8—9:15 a.m.): Vikram Chandra (Sacred Games), Jim LaMarche (Up) and Amy Stewart (Flowers Confidential). Paul Hanson of Eagle Harbor Book Co. emcees. Friday evening, PNBA hosts its first annual Feast of Authors, beginning with dinner at 7 p.m. More than 20 authors are invited: Kim Barnes and Claire Davis, Lewis Buzbee, Alison Clement, Carmela and Steven D'Amico, Brian Doyle, Janet Fitch, Tess Gallagher, David Greenberg, Tom Hager, Steve Hendricks, Karen Karbo, Barry Lopez, Jana McBurney-Lin, Gregg Olsen, Lynn Pomeranz, Spider Robinson, Dan Savage, Heather Sharfeddin and Obert Skye. At the Saturday Book and Author Breakfast (8—9:15 a.m.): Andy Borowitz (The Republican Playbook), Laura Kalpakian (American Cookery) and Jon J. Muth and Linda Zuckerman (I Will Hold You 'Til You Sleep). Caroline Sloan of Annie Bloom's Books is emcee.
Also of Interest: Thursday evening, a dinner for emerging store leaders is planned from 6:30—7:30 p.m. On Friday, PNBA's Book Awards Committee meets at 10 a.m.; its Education Committee at 2 p.m.; its general membership at 4:30 p.m., ending the day.
Contact: Thom Chambliss, (541) 683-4363; info@pnba.org; www.pnba.org.
Southern California Booksellers Association
Sat., Oct. 21, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, Calif.
Highlights:SCBA is again offering a trade show in conjunction with its traditional Authors Feast.
Educational Programming:The morning features a panel—sponsored by HarperCollins, Penguin Group USA and Simon & Schuster—on targeting the YA market and two ABA-sponsored seminars: "Above the Treeline: An Introduction" and "Hand-selling: Customer Service with Results." A two-part "pick of the lists" is planned—one dedicated to YA books, the other to adult.
Trade Show: Exhibit hours: noon—5 p.m. and 6—7:30 p.m.
Authors, Authors: The trade show opens at noon in the Biltmore Bowl with a booksellers' lunch—a "spoken-word" event with Ray Bradbury and Gail Carson Levine. The much-anticipated Authors Feast and SCBA Book Awards Reception takes place that evening. Baker & Taylor is the event sponsor; Ingram Book Co. and Partners West are dinner and wine sponsors. Organizers expect more than 30 authors, including Frank Beddor, Cecil Castellucci, Kate Elliot, Debra Ginsberg, Cynthia Kadohata, Judy Bart Kancigor, Jonathan Kirsch, Paul Levine, Leonard Maltin, George Noorey, Brett Paesel and R.J. Smith.
Also of Interest: New this year to the evening's festivities is a 10 p.m. soiree for emerging bookstore leaders. Random House plays host.
Contact: Jennifer Bigelow, (626) 793-8435; office@scbabooks.org; www.scbabooks.org.
Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance
Fri., Sept. 8—Sun., Sept. 10, at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, Orlando, Fla.
Highlights: Formerly known at the Southeast Booksellers Association, SIBA celebrates its Southern literary heritage and propensity for regional uniqueness.
Educational Programming: Thursday's proceedings center around an all-day booksellers' school lead by veteran trainer Miriam Fleischmann; her theme this year is "finding new sales." Friday's programs (sponsored by Random House) focus on rethinking business practices, reaching new audiences and developing literary genres. The morning business track (9 a.m.—noon) includes several ABA-led presentations on independent business alliances, inventory-optimization, reading groups and public relations. The genre track (9 a.m.—noon) includes panel discussions on memoir and biography, romance and regional history. The morning's highlighted session is "Grandma's Magic Scissors" (10—11 a.m.), with storyteller Linda Day. The afternoon business track (2—4:30 p.m.) includes two more ABA programs, on creating "killer" events and improving efficiency plus an optimal marketing workshop. Similarly, the genre track (2—5 p.m.) offers panel discussions on the potential growth in children's books and regional travel. Then there's "The Art of Writing and Illustrating History for Children: A Trilogy on the Black Experience in America" (3—4 p.m.), at which Doreen Rappaport and Shane Evans discuss their work.
Trade Show: Exhibit hours: 9 a.m.— noon (blue-badge attendees only) and 1:30—5 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m.—1 p.m. on Sunday. Autographing sessions on Saturday (3—5 p.m.) and Sunday (9:10 a.m.—noon).
Authors, Authors:Authors reign supreme, even at Friday's Breakfast with the Board (8—9 a.m.). The keynote speaker is Betsy Burton (The King's English). The all-day Spoken Word Reading Room (9 a.m.—5 p.m.) features authors reading from their recent works, including Esmé Raji Codell, Kaye Gibbons, Patricia McKissick, Kevin Sessums, Carl T. Smith, Lauren Willig and Michael Weisskopf. Friday's Kick-Off Author Luncheon (noon—2 p.m.), sponsored by B&T, features SIBA Book Award winners Darnell Arnoult (What Travels with Us), Nikki Giovanni and Bryan Collier (Rosa), John Grogan (Marley & Me), Joshilyn Jackson (Gods in Alabama), and Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays (Being Dead Is No Excuse). Authors at the SIBA Supper (7—9 p.m.): Elizabeth Kostova (The Historian), Doug Marlette (Magic Time), Brad Meltzer (The Book of Fate) and Lee Smith (On Agate Hill). At an informal get-together before the supper, look for Cassandra King (Queen of Broken Hearts) and Robert St. John (Deep South Parties). Hachette Book Group USA and Hyperion are sponsors. Attending Saturday's "Judge a Book by Its Lover" Breakfast (7:30—9 a.m.): Dixie Cash (I Gave You My Heart but You Sold It Online), Claire Matturro (Bone Valley), Sena Jeter Naslund (Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette) and Kimberla Lawson Roby (Changing Faces). At the Saturday's Children Book and Author Luncheon (noon—1:30 p.m.): Emily Jenkins (Toys Go Out), Alice Hoffman (Incantations; Skylight Confessions), Robert Peck (How to Write Fiction Like a Pro) and Paul Zelinsky (The Shivers in the Fridge). Saturday's Moveable Feast of Authors (7—9 p.m.), sponsored by Ingram Book Co., includes Sonny Brewer, Thomas Cook, Kathleen McGowan, Ron McLarty, Mark Winegardner and others. Before hitting the floor, enjoy Sunday's Rep Around Galley Breakfast (7:30—9 a.m.).
Also of Interest: Catch Jeff VanderMeer's multimedia presentation "The Unofficial Rough Guide to Ambergris" on Friday (4—5 p.m.) and Gary Mex Glazner's poetry workshop "How to Drink Coffee Like a Poet" on Saturday (5:30—7 p.m.).
Contact: Wanda Jewell, (803) 779-0118; wanda@sibaweb.com; www.sibaweb. com; www.booksigningsusa.net.
