PW columnist Sari Feldman is executive director of the Cuyahoga County Public Library in Cleveland, Ohio—one of the nation’s largest and highest- rated public library systems—and a former president of both the Public Library Association (2009–2010) and the American Library Association (2015–2016).
I clearly remember my first BookExpo: it was back in 2002, and I remember feeling overwhelmed by the setting (the Javits Center in New York City) and the endless exhibit space. At the time, I was in charge of scheduling authors for the Cleveland Public Library’s “Sunday Afternoons for Writers and Readers” series, and I thought BookExpo would be a great opportunity to hear new voices and get the buzz about titles and writers directly from the publishers. I was with my book pal and colleague Ike Pulver, a BookExpo regular, who kindly showed me the ropes for collecting autographs and ARCs (and pro tip—where to store them in the mailroom).
Over the years, my personal BookExpo highlights have included riding the elevator with Barbara Kingsolver and a quick conversation with Nick Hornby. I also had a great moment with Maurice Sendak and Tony Kushner, who were together signing prints from their Brundibar picture book. I met Ian McEwan right after On Chesil Beach was released, to mixed reviews. When I told him the Cleveland Plain Dealer had praised the book, he promised to accept a speaking invitation in appreciation of “good literary taste.” I’m still waiting for him to say yes.
During my ALA presidency in 2016, I was proud to bring the “Libraries Transform” campaign to BookExpo in Chicago, with sponsorship provided by Overdrive. These experiences have helped highlight the many ways that the public/private partnership between libraries and publishers connects books to readers, and increasingly connects readers to authors. As I traveled internationally for ALA, I came to recognize that these powerful collaborations are unique to the United States—we are fortunate that libraries and publishers in the U.S. work beyond the traditional business relationship, to jointly build readership and enthusiasm for books and reading.
Sure, for the uninitiated, BookExpo can be a daunting experience—it’s like a candy store for book enthusiasts. But worry not—a little advance planning can help manage and even enhance the experience.
Be sure to wear your most comfortable walking shoes. And don’t be mesmerized by the big names—be open to new authors and small events. Don’t put all your time into showcase breakfasts and lunches. And be choosy about ARCs.
Keep your eyes open and know what your favorite writers look like—you just might have an elevator encounter that can score you a prized selfie. Be on the lookout for innovative marketing tips.
And make sure to connect not only with writers but with publicists.
My last tip: plan a few days of vacation when you return home. You most certainly will need the rest, recovery, and time to read!
