Book Expo America, or BEA, is the book industry’s premier trade show. Before you start thinking of stereotypes of black-rimmed glasses and hair buns (though, I guess there is a good bit of that), think for a minute why BEA is a good thing for people that just appreciate good books.

First, though publishers, especially the big 6, have been drug through the mud a lot lately (meaning people that are self-publishing are calling them dinosaurs and incompetent fools who have no idea what a good book is and are only in it for the money), a lot of that negativity is hogwash in my opinion. They certainly are not always perfect, they have lots of room for improvement, and the industry is changing rapidly, but I have a lot of respect for these people. Whew, just had to get that out there.

How does my rant connect to why BEA is good for the book loving public? Major deals among major players go down, prepping the road for some fantastic reads to come in the months ahead. For better or worse, these are the people that shape and determine what a lot of people read. And though some might disagree, I know I have benefited from their discerning eyes. I love that they have a venue to hone their craft and to make decisions that effect what we will be hearing about and reading a little down the road.

Futher, BEA it is a mixing of the worlds. People new to the game rub elbows with publishing heavy weights. This can only result in innovations for publishing that again benefits the reading public.

Though you might not get to go to the show, I hope you stir in your book-loving heart a little bit of book love for the BEA and for all that comes out of it.

Photo: MissTurner, Creative Commons