Michael Blowhard writes:

Dear Blowhards --

So far as trade book publishing goes -- "trade book publishing" is the branch of book publishing concerned with the kinds of books that you run into in typical bookstores -- the main annual event is Book Expo America. BEA is a trade convention where publishers display their upcoming wares to buyers and to the press, and where agents and representatives dicker over publishing rights.

BEA is always quite a spectacle. Around 2000 exhibitors show up; around 30,000 people attend. Authors shake hands and sign books, freebies are handed out, and parties aren't in short supply.

I've been to around 15 books conventions myself, and I always enjoyed them. People wear badges, swap stories, catch up with gossip, and have adventures. The Expo floor is full of zany displays.

Extra added attraction: There's no better antidote to the lies you may have been fed as a literature student. My main reaction the first time I attended a books convention? "Oh, I get it now. It's a business. Sort of."

This year, BEA took place in Los Angeles, and frequent 2Blowhards visitor and commenter Charlton Griffin was there to capture some of the action with his digicam. Explore Charlton's record of the BEA here. Here's my favorite of Charlton's BEA vidclips:

One of the best readers and producers of audiobooks out there, Charlton has just released his version of Polybius' "The Histories." Buy a copy and download it here.

Charlton also points out that Mikhail Gorbachev, the USSR's final Commie leader, has outed himself as a Christian.

Best,

Michael

Goodness, how did Charleton miss out on a career in late night television or stand-up comedy? That video is pretty clever!

Posted by: Friedrich von Blowhard on June 12, 2008 8:52 AM

If it sounds too perfect to be true, it usually is: Gorbachev contradicted the reports of his secret belief. He's a great admirer of St. Francis, but not a Christian believer.

(By the way, your Gorbachev link is broken.)

Posted by: Fredosphere on June 12, 2008 1:39 PM

Ellora's Cave: porny fantasies for women who can't get any real action. I wonder how many of their authors are men writing under pseudonyms? Amazing how little has changed since the 30s and writers like Jack Woodford) one of his pseudonyms was Sappho Henderson Britt), except the level of raunch has reached escape velocity.

Posted by: Peter L. Winkler on June 12, 2008 6:52 PM

I went to a dinner a couple of years ago, in honor of Gorby's work for Global Green. He got up and sang a song dedicated to all the 'beautfiul women in the room.' He drank as much as any Christian, I can confirm that!

Posted by: Sister Wolf on June 12, 2008 8:11 PM






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