So, I’m skipping Book Expo America this year. I’m just not ready for the angry streets of Manhattan, the cabbies who inspire me to down entire bottles of Dramamine to survive their driving, the crowds of pushy New Yorkers (I can say that because I am a native NYer and did a little pushing myself), and then shamelessly handing out my card to anyone at the Expo even remotely connected to publishing (which is, of course, everyone), and making maybe 3 connections but not recouping even half the money it cost me to fly there, stay there, and eat there (I miss NY bagels, but at $12 a pop?)
The truth is, my business revolves around writers and authors who need editing. BEA is geared for people who buy books (bookstore owners) and publishers who are promoting their not-yet-released titles. Me? I just want people to either hire me to write, or even better – people who need kick-ass, uber-publishable, brilliant editing. That means I’m better off attending writer’s conferences than Book Expo.
Don’t get me wrong. The last time I went to Book Expo America, I came home with over 50 advance copies of brand spankin’ new titles. What could be better than free books? Not much, except saving my money for the upcoming Iowa Writing Festival, and my first colonoscopy (did I just say that?). Just hope I don’t end up kicking myself in the tushy for not going to Book Expo this year.
Chloe says
August 10, 2011 at 12:17 pmI am considering going to the Iowa festival next year and would like to hear your opinion of it. Aren’t you too young for a colonoscopy?
Eddie Morol says
November 17, 2011 at 2:36 amValerie – you had me laughing on this one. I can’t blame you for not wanting to deal with New York. But now that your biz is really picking up I bet you’ll go next year. Let me know, I would love to meet up with you in the Big Apple. Thanks for being my editor. THe book is so much better.
Eddie