Book Expo Wrap-Up: Walt

I want to regress to the B.E.A. I attended in 2016 even though I attended the year before

but memory serves me better for the 2016 show. I can say that it is an interesting show, at

least for me. It gives people a chance to get books signed by their favorite authors. There is

of course a bit of pandemonium associated with getting to one or more of your favorite authors.

The layout of the show floor is one of the most important pieces of information you need to

be aware of. You should make an author-time table card to help you remember where the

publisher’s booths are and what time the author will be there to sign books. The B.E.A. passes

out a schedule booklet everyday but having your own card I feel makes it easier. Generally,

the publisher’s booths are laid out on the floor in isles with numbered banners overhead

to help you locate them.

Walt meeting Victoria Schwab

The time will come when you will need to get in line to receive your book from the author

for which he or she will sign it for you. You must be willing to stand in line for about 1 hour

or more prior to the time the author is scheduled for signing if you don’t want to end up

being near the end of the line. There are disadvantages if you are near the end of the line.

1: The author runs out of books before you get to the head of the line. 2: People with head

of the line passes walk right up in front, effectively moving you even further back in line.

Time to move on, 2018 B.E.A. The general format was the same as for 2016 with a number
of changes I felt for the better. One of them was a more restrictive application form to register.
Some books required you to have a ticket which guaranteed you would get that book no
matter where you were in line. There were other books you could only get if you got a
special wrist band to put on your wrist. I thought these procedures were great. It sure made
standing in line worth the wait.

This year the author signing tables were moved to their own area. This eliminated some

of the people traffic on the main floor and helped make it a little easier to get around at

least initially. If I were to suggest an improvement in the signing area I would like to see

more chairs available for us older types so we can sit while we wait in line instead of standing.

This time there was enough B.E.A. line monitors to coordinate the lines, making sure people

were in the right line and helping to keep order.

I personally found that this year’s B.E.A. was better organized, happy book hunting.

Walt