AtlasBooks Distribution Blog

The London Book Fair is just finishing up, but it is not to early to start thinking about June.

Book Expo America, or BEA, is the premier publishing event in North America where the book tradition converges with the digital revolution. Each year thousands of book people gather to see what’s new, discuss what’s been working, and speculate about the future. This year the show is held June 5-7.

But for every person that attends the show, there are many that could benefit but don’t get to go. If you are one of those that don’t get to go, here are some ways you can still reap the benefits of the show.

1. Have a proxy

Yes, there is a lot of “noise” at BEA. You might even call it information overload. You may look at the number of exhibitors or see pictures of walls of books and wonder how your book can have any impact at such a venue. But don’t underestimate the value of physical presence.

Especially since so much of what anyone does anymore is done virtually, the impact of an actual physical presence where thousands of book loving professions congregates can have a good marketing impact. Even if you can’t be there, your book can.

Check out Bookmasters’ Think ForeWord BEA Bundle for ways you can have your book represented at the show.

2. Follow on Twitter

Use the #bookexpo hashtag to follow the BEA conversation. You will likely find a lot of observations from the different BEA scheduled events. And though #bookexpo is the official show hashtag, you may also want to follow #BEA.

3. Watch live feeds

For the first time, BEA will offer live streaming of many of its major events including Book & Author Breakfasts, Buzz Panels, and a majority of programming from the main Author State. The live stream will also feature the ability for a live chat as events are happening. BEA show director Steve Rosato says that they “are also planning to take questions from our virtual attendees for the authors.”

4. Follow industry news those days and following

For one, be sure to check in on our blog, Facebook, and Twitter feeds for updated links and information from the show. You can also follow these major industry news outlets to get daily and event summaries from the show:

Publishers Weekly
Shelf Awareness
BEA Media and News

5. Appreciate what is done on behalf of all book lovers at this important show

A lot of deals go down at the show. This is good for people that like books. Though there is more self-publishing going on now than ever, a lot of quality authors still go through traditional publishers, and a lot of the groundwork for these types of deals happens at the show.

Also, BEA is a place were lots of great publishing minds meet to talk and make plans for the future of publishing. You can’t beat these in-person meeting for the shaping of the publishing business.

So even if you can’t make it out June 5-7 for the show, I hope you will use these tips to make the best of this nation’s largest book tradeshow.