Getting a handle on social networking and staring down the economic crisis are the two realities that all independent booksellers are facing this year. The trade shows this fall cannot help addressing these concerns, both in their announced educational programs and in the informal networking that makes gathering together in person so meaty. This is true for all of the constituencies that continue to attend these shows—booksellers, librarians, authors and publishers—and find them indispensable when looking for practical ideas and inspiring fellowship.
The following regional trade show summaries are listed in chronological order.
Pacific Northwest Booksellers AssociationThurs., Sept. 10—Sat., Sat. 12, at the Holiday Inn Portland Airport Hotel and Conference Center, Portland, Ore.Highlights: The conference center is jumping with more authors than ever before. Everyone wants to be at this year's show—“book buzz” is happening here.Educational Programming: Thursday is dedicated to educational programming, with the usual 45-minute first-timers' session starting at 8 a.m. Others are welcome to choose from an assortment of panels and workshops starting at 9 a.m., then at 10:30 a.m., continuing after lunch at 2:30 p.m. and at 4 p.m., for a total of 19.In the morning segment, “Building Relationships with Local Bookstores,” moderated by ABC's Kristen McLean is aimed at librarians, while booksellers have “Any Store Can Make Money with Co-op,” with Amy Sandberg and John Dally. Program veteran Cynthia Frank does what she does best in a workshop called, “Link Your Marketing and Editorial Calendars for Optimum Impact.” Kristen McLean comes back for double duty with a panel on “what booksellers can learn from librarians,” while Deltina Hay leads a discussion on “how to build a strong but manageable presence on the social Web.” The richly textured afternoon program includes, “Books Clubs from A to Z,” with Cheryl McKeon and “Media Kits Matter,” with Jennifer McCord and Roberta Trahan; “One Great Thing That We Started in Our Store,” moderated by Libby Manthey and “What Bookstores Expect and Need from Self-published Authors,” with Cynthia Frank and David Ash. Round tables about book fairs and multimedia fill out the slate. On the same day area reps pitch their “fave” seasonal picks from their adult trade lists at 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., the children's sales reps do the same for their titles at 4 p.m. For those readying themselves for an e-catalogue environment, catch (if you can) John Rubin's Above the Treeline's Edelweiss presentation at 2:30 p.m.Trade Show Details: Exhibit hours: 9:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m. on Friday; 9:30 a.m.—2 p.m. on Saturday. Formal autographing session on Thursday (1:15—2:15 p.m.) immediately following the Celebration of Authors; annual “night-capper” autographing party on Thursday (8:30—9:30 p.m.). Other autographing sessions on Friday (4:45—5:45 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m.—1:30 p.m.). Show closes Saturday at 2 p.m.Authors, Authors: Show organizers move the Celebration of Authors to a new time slot—first-day lunchtime (noon—1 p.m.). Cheryl McKeon from Third Place Books prefaces the meal with author introductions. Confirmed authors (so far): Brenda Cooper, Matthew Flaming, Matt Love, Melissa M. Hart, L.K. Madigan, David Metz and R. Gregory Nokes. Friday's Book and Author Breakfast (8—9 a.m.) at the Holiday Inn features Libba Bray (Going Bovine), Jonathan Safran Foer (Eating Animals), Loren Long (Otis) and Robert Spector (The Mom & Pop Store). The traditional Feast of Authors takes place on Friday (7—9 p.m.) with author guests Keith Baker, Dale E. Basye, Gennifer Choldenko, Randy Sue Coburn, Kevin B. Connolly, John Daniel, Craig Joseph Danner, Heidi W. Durrow, Amy S. Foster, Jack Nisbet, Gregg Olsen, Mattox Roesch, Ken Scholes, Doug Scott and Susan Wiggs. (Booksellers and librarians will receive a “book bag,” containing at least 12 signed books.) Saturday is “Author Promotion Day” on the exhibit floor. At Saturday's breakfast (8—9:30 a.m.), Timothy Egan (The Big Burn) joins Mark Teague (How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?) and Jess Walter (The Financial Lives of the Poets). Fifteen-minute author presentations are slated from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.—attendees are encouraged to bring lunch (always more food!).Also of Interest: On Thursday, PNBA's annual membership meeting starts at 5:30 p.m.; on Friday, its Book Award Committee meets at noon.Contact: Thom Chambliss (info@pnba.org); (541) 683-4363; www.pnba.org.Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association
Wed., Sept. 23—Sat., Sept. 26, at Crowne Plaza Denver International Airport, Denver, Colo.
Highlights: At this year's shows, the themes running through all major presentations are customer service, commerce and convenience. Given the marketplace, lively discussions begin at the Wednesday evening reception (5:30—7 p.m.) hosted by Books West.
Educational Programming: Sessions are planned for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Wednesday schooling is 3—5 p.m. First up at 3 p.m.: MPIBA president Andy Nettell partnering with ABA COO Len Vlahos to talk about book distribution in the “brave new world.” Same time: Veteran-bookseller Gayle Shanks gives advice to this year's first-time showgoers. At 4 p.m., Catherine Weller moderates a panel about the indie-publisher/bookseller dynamic. At a concurrent session, Linda Millemann gives a refresher course on customer service. Classes on Thursday include an 8:45 a.m. panel on integrated marketing and a 3:30 p.m. introduction to book buying. A series of round-table discussions are also slated in the 3:30—5 p.m. time slot. Topics include children's bookselling, store-specific product creation and store marketing. The all-time favorite—“Best Thing I Did in My Store This Year”—is also listed. Friday's set of courses: “Surviving Tough Times” (9:15—10:45 a.m.); “Indie Commerce: The New System” (11—11:45 a.m.); “Make Money with MPIBA's Winter Catalogue” (11—11:45 a.m.). Saturday: John Rubin from Above the Treeline presents Edelweiss (2:15—4:15 p.m.). This “post-show” session is not to be missed—bring your laptop! Two “picks of the lists” are on the program: Thursday (10:45 a.m.—12:15 p.m., 1:30—3:15 p.m.).
Trade Show Details: Exhibit hours: 5—7 p.m. on Thursday; 1:30—5 p.m. on Friday; 9:30 a.m.—2 p.m. on Saturday. Autographing sessions are held in conjunction with the Friday author reception (5—7 p.m.). Show closes Saturday at 2 p.m.
Authors, Authors: Thursday's “Reading the West” Breakfast (7:30—8:30 a.m.) is front of the line featuring regional guest speakers Jacqueline Kelly (The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate), Judy Shepard (The Meaning of Matthew) and Sara Zarr (Once Was Lost). At Friday's Children's Author and Illustrator Breakfast (7:30—9 a.m.), Berkeley Breathed (Flawed Dogs) shares the stage with an equally talented author, TBA. Everyone is eager to learn the winners of the regional book awards to be announced at the luncheon (noon—1:15 p.m.). Also on Friday: Author Reception and Gordon Saull Awards (5—7 p.m.). More than 40 authors will attend, including Mario Acevedo, Lori G. Armstrong, T.A. Barron, John Brown, Sandra Dallas, Alane Ferguson, Becca Fitzpatrick, Mark L. Gardner, Victoria Hanley, Meredith Ogilby, Julie Anne Peters, Corinne Platt, Jeff Schettler and Karen Wright. Saturday's Author Breakfast for Literacy (8—9:30 a.m.): Mark Spragg (Bone Fire), Patrick McDonnell (Wag!) and Helen Thorpe (Just Like Us).
Also of nterest: MPIBA general meeting and lunch, Thursday at 12:15 p.m.
Contact: Lisa D. Knudsen (lisa@mountainsplains.org); (800) 752-0249; www.mountainsplains.org.
Midwest Booksellers Association
Fri., Sept. 25, and Sat., Sept. 26, at RiverCentre, St. Paul, Minn.
Highlights: A revamped two-day schedule is in store for attendees at this year's show.
Educational Programming: Friday's sessions (9—10:15 a.m., 3:15—5:15 p.m.) are jointly managed by the MBA and ABA with additional support from Above the Treeline and other presenters. The MBA's workshops are titled “MBA Trade Show First Timer's Orientation” and “Midwest Connections and Other MBA Opportunities,” while the ABA offers panels on “Going Digital: An Industry Discussion on Selling E-content” and “Social Media and the Independent Bookseller.” The ABA will provide additional materials to augment its respective programs. Finally, Above the Treeline brings together two Edelweiss partners—a bookseller and a publisher—as key components of its own product demonstration. Other sessions are in the works, including one on IndieCommerce (e-commerce solutions). Two “reps' picks of the lists” on Friday (10:30—11:45 a.m., 2—3 p.m.) are wedged in between.
Trade Show Details: Exhibit hours: 9:15 a.m.—4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Formal autographing sessions are held in conjunction with Saturday's cocktail reception (4:30—6 p.m.); informal autographing sessions (in booth) during Saturday exhibit hours. Show closes Saturday at 6 p.m.
Authors, Authors: The annual Authors Lunch (aka the Moveable Feast) takes place on Friday (noon—1:45 p.m.). Chris Farrell (The New Frugality) and Stephanie Kallos (Sing Them Home) are the keynote speakers. More than 30 authors have been invited. The list includes adult authors Eric Dregni, Mark A. Grey, Jeff Hertzberg and Zöe François, Kate Ledger, Jason Quinn Malott, Freya Manfred, Rusty McClure, Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Mitch Omer and Ann Bauer, William Voedisch and Robert C. Willging; and children's authors Marion Dane Bauer, Linda Glaser, Janet Graber, Michael Lewis, Maggie Stiefvater, Kathy-jo Wargin and Patricia C. Wrede. Authors at the Fifth Annual Midwest Booksellers' Choice Awards Reception (5:30—7 p.m.) at 317 on Rice Park include Todd Boss, Neil Gaiman, Ingrid Law, Freya Manfred, Vicki Myron, Michael Perry, Lauren Stringer and David Wroblewski. Immediately following, the Book and Author Dinner (7:15—9:30 p.m.) features Elizabeth Berg (Home Safe), Jonathan Safran Foer (Eating Animals), Alex Lemon (Happy: A Memoir) and Kent Meyers (Twisted Tree). (The reception is open to all registered attendees, while the dinner is a ticketed event.) Saturday's children's book and author breakfast (7:30—9:30 a.m.): M.T. Anderson (Jasper Dash and the Flame-Pits of Delaware), Neil Gaiman (Odd and the Frost Giants), Loren Long (Otis) and Catherine Gilbert Murdock (Front and Center).
Also of Interest: Sisters in Crime/Twin Cities will host a “criminally entertaining cocktail hour” on Thursday evening. On Friday morning (7:30—9 a.m.) show-going booksellers are encouraged to participate in the general membership meeting, join in the round table discussions and check out the “booksellers' picks of the lists.”
Contact: Susan Walker (susan@midwestbooksellers.org) or Kati Gallagher (kati@midwestbooksellers.org); (800) 784-7522; www.midwestbooksellers.org.
Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance
Fri., Sept. 25—Sun., Sept. 27, at Carolina First Center, Greenville, S.C.
Highlights: There's no question about it—SIBA is acknowledging that authors are the real “stars” of this year's show. More than 100 authors are expected to attend. To accommodate the unprecedented roster of talent, show organizers have designated a special “all star” autographing area on the exhibit floor.
Educational Programming: An optional bookseller school is planned on Thursday (9 a.m.—4 p.m.). Highlights include a “rep-around” breakfast and an Above the Treeline demonstration. Friday is “day of education,” again sponsored by Random House. Class times: 9:45 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:10 p.m.; each time slot offers four concurrent sessions. The 9:45 a.m. segment includes presentations on alternative retail strategies, print-on-demand and social media. ABA staffers give a workshop on “building productive (and profitable) programming partnerships with local libraries.” At 11 a.m. are holiday books and writers talking “craft.” Karen Spears Zacharias (Will Jesus Buy Me a Double-Wide?) moderates a panel on “writing the South,” with Batt Humphreys, Karen White, Donny Bailey Seagraves and Amanda C. Gable. The afternoon track at 2 p.m. includes workshops on thought leadership, author-event planning and “local first” strategies. Lady Banks gives a tour of the Southern Traveling Authors Registration Service. At 3:10 p.m.: children's books and tween thrillers. Alexia Jones Helsley (Hidden History of Greenville) guides a discussion between South Carolinian writers Roger Pinckney, Mary Alice Monroe, Mindy Friddle and Nicole Seitz.
Trade Show Details: Exhibit hours: 9 a.m.—noon and 1:30—5:30 p.m. on Saturday; 9 a.m.—noon on Sunday. Most autographing sessions are held during exhibit hours in addition to Friday's “sign-around reception” (5—7 p.m.) and Sunday's Moveable Feast of Authors (feast, noon—2 p.m.; signings, 2—3 p.m.). Show closes Sunday at 3 p.m.
Authors, Authors: On Friday, Silas House (Eli the Good) joins Meg Cabot (Being Nikki), Patricia Reilly Giff (Wild Girl) and Richard Peck (A Season of Gifts) at the official kickoff lunch (noon—1:45 p.m.). The annual SIBA Supper (7—9 p.m.), sponsored by Hachette Books, features Tomie de Paola (Strega Nona's Harvest), Robert Edsel (The Monuments Men), Robert Hicks (A Separate Country) and Elizabeth Kostova (The Swan Thieves). Authors at the late-night readings (9:30—10:30 p.m.): Cordell Adams, Sarah Blake, Doug Elliott, James Everett Kibler, Laurel Snyder, Marjory Heath Wentworth, Ken Wheaton and Philip Lee Williams. Saturday's breakfast (7:30—9:30 a.m.), sponsored by HarperCollins, includes Padgett Powell (The Interrogative Mood), Ron Rash (Serena) and Jess Walter (The Financial Lives of Poets). The Southern Writer's Lunch (noon—1:30 p.m.) spotlights Pete Dexter (Spooner), Matt Lee and Ted Lee (The Lee Bros. Simple Fresh Southern Knockout Dishes with Down-Home Flavor) and Jill McCorkle (Going Away Shoes). At Sunday's breakfast (7:30—9:30 a.m.), Walter Jess (The Zero) is the confirmed author so far. The show's grand author finale is the Moveable Feast of Authors (noon—2 p.m.), sponsored by Ingram. Confirmed authors: Larry Baker, Beverly Barton, William Ferris, Marianne Gingher, Janice Hardy, Beth Hoffman, Laura Hope-Gill and Wendy Wax. 20 authors at 20 tables—should be a fabulous event.
Also of Interest: Friday (8—9:30 a.m.): Industry Breakfast/Annual Membership Meeting. Saturday (6—7:30 p.m.): The Writers' Block—SIBA Book Award First Ever Feed-an-Author Auction and Reception. A percentage of the proceeds will go to Loaves & Fishes, Groceries for Neighbors in Need (Greenville, S.C.).
Contact: Wanda Jewell (wanda@sibaweb.com); (803) 779-0118; www.sibaweb.com.
NewEngland Independent Booksellers Association
Thurs., Oct. 1—Sat., Oct. 3, at the Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, Conn.
Highlights: New England booksellers convene in Hartford—home of the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center and the Mark Twain House. New to this year's agenda is the “first look” gathering, held on the exhibit floor on Friday evening (5—6:15 p.m.) just before the author reception. The show's exhibit hours are concentrated into one day on Saturday. At Thursday's Awards Luncheon (noon—2:15 p.m.), the NEIBA President's Award for Lifetime Achievement in Arts and Letters goes to Ward Just. Other awards: Geraldine Brooks for fiction, Sy Montgomery for nonfiction, Andrew Clements for children's and Tilbury House for publishing. A special time has been carved out of Friday's schedule to give bestselling author and innovation expert Daniel Pink (Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us) the spotlight. Catch his keynote speech at 2:15 p.m.
Educational Programming: Sessions take place on Thursday (2:30—5:30 p.m.) and Friday (10 a.m.—2 p.m.). George Gibson leads a discussion on the editing process, while Chris Morrow and Susan Novotny run a program about print-on-demand. Michele Filgate, Emily Russo Murtaugh and Annie Philbrick have a bookseller-publisher tête-à-tête with reps Ann Kingman and Erin Lovett—the topic: creating successful promotions and events through effective partnerships. ABA staff members present a workshop on “going digital”; an Above the Treeline representative gives a lesson on Edelweiss. A children's “picks of the list” and a panel on “customer and community building” cap the day's programming.
Trade Show Details: Exhibit hours: 9 a.m.—5 p.m. on Saturday. Autographing sessions are held on Saturday (10 a.m.—4 p.m.). Show closes Saturday at 5 p.m.
Authors, Authors: More than 50 authors will be attending various programs. Confirmed authors at Thursday's NECBA Children's Author and Illustrator Reception and Dinner (6—10 p.m.): Shannon Hale (Forest Born), Shaun Tan (Tales from Outer Suburbia) and Mo Willems (Pigs Make Me Sneeze!). This annual party will be held at the Hartford Marriott Downtown. At Friday's breakfast (8—10 a.m.): Mary Karr (Lit: A Memoir), Anita Shreve (A Change in Altitude) and Sarah Vowell (The Wordy Shipmates). The hugely popular author reception (5:30—7 p.m.) features Amir Aczel, Michael Buckley, Cristina French, Ethan Gilsdorf, Joe Hill, Katherine Howe, Mary Alice Higgins, E. Lockhart, C. Marina Marchese, Vincent McCaffrey, Peter McCarty, Jill McCorkle, Louise Penny and Katherine Towler. This hors d'oeuvres and cocktail affair is open to all show attendees. Saturday's breakfast (8—10 a.m.): Diane Ackerman (Dawn Light), Gail Collins (When Everything Changed) and Adam Haslett (Union Atlantic).
Also of Interest: Thursday afternoon (4—6 p.m.) an “open house” at the studio of photographer and children's book author Walter Wick has been arranged. (Limited to 70 people on a first-come/first-served basis.) On Friday (noon—2 p.m.), attendees are invited to the newly designed Publishers' Pick-Nic Box Lunch, where reps make their sales and marketing appeals.
Contact: Steve Fischer (steve@neba.org) or Nan Sorensen (nan@neba.org); (781) 316-8894; www.newenglandbooks.org.
Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association
Fri., Oct. 2—Sun., Oct. 4, at Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, Cleveland, Ohio
Highlights: GLIBA goes “platinum” as it celebrates its 20th anniversary in “positively” Cleveland.
Educational Programming: Sessions take place on Friday and Sunday. This year's programming follows the usual tracks: technology, management, operations and content. Panels and workshops are staggered throughout the day on Friday: 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. The popular “Ideas That Work” and “Staying on Track” anchor the morning and afternoon. Featured speakers: Carl Lennertz, Mark Nelson and Sean Murray. Other topics range from new media and social networking to buying and selling backlist, from the impact of digital content on indies to the rep-bookseller relationship. In addition to the “Greatest Hits, Part 1/Kids (2 p.m.) and Part 2/Adult (3 p.m.), there are two concurrent “What's the Buzz?” segments (4 p.m.). Presentations on IndieBound e-commerce initiatives and Edelweiss, event planning and Skype usage, school sales and book clubs, used books and remainders are some of the significant topics to be covered. Sunday at 10 a.m., the focus is on blurb writing, graphic novels and used books. “Common-session” round table discussions are set from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., giving booksellers a chance to summarize the issues, evaluate the show and plan for the future.
Trade Show Details: Exhibit hours: 9:30 a.m.—5 p.m. on Saturday (closed 12:30—2 p.m.). Autographing sessions on Friday (5:10—5:50 p.m.) and Sunday (12:40—2 p.m.); regional author sessions on Saturday (10 a.m.—noon). Show closes Sunday at 2 p.m.
Authors, Authors: The annual award luncheon is listed on Friday's agenda (11:30 a.m.—12:50 p.m.). Dan Chaon (Await Your Reply) is the keynote speaker at the Author Feast (7:30—9:30 p.m.); more than two dozen authors are invited. Attendees have a chance to meet their favorite authors and have books signed at the post-feast social slated for 9:30 p.m. Saturday's Booksellers Banquet (7—9 p.m.) features James Bradley (The Imperial Cruise), Joseph Kanon (Stardust) and Garth Stein (The Art of Racing in the Rain). A reception is planned prior to the banquet with an added component—The Reading Room, which includes Melanie Benjamin (Alice I Have Been), Lisa Klein (Lady Macbeth's Daughter) and Adam Schuitema (Freshwater Boys). At Sunday's Children's Book and Author Breakfast (7:45_9:30 a.m.): Gennifer Choldenko (Al Capone Shines My Shoes), Candace Fleming (The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School; The Great and Only Barnum) and Shaun Tan (Tales from Outer Suburbia).
Also of Interest: The popular film series for early comers is in the can for Thursday evening. On Friday, volunteers and advisory committee members go to their respective business meetings at 8 a.m., while first-time showgoers proceed to their initiation breakfast at 8:30 a.m. On Saturday, there are more events in store for everyone—the Bookstore Awards Breakfast and Annual Meeting (8—9:15 a.m.), rep around (12:30—2 p.m.), silent auction (3:30—4:30 p.m.), “busy bee” raffle (4:45 p.m.) and Quiz Bowl (9 p.m.)
Contact: Jim Dana (jim@gliba.org) or Joan Jandernoa (joan@gliba.org); (800) 754-2460; www.gliba.org.
New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association
Sun., Oct. 4, and Mon., Oct. 5, at Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel, Baltimore, Md.
Highlights: NAIBA explores the “new landscape of book-selling” during its two-day gathering. Proceedings start at 9:45 a.m. with the now familiar “morning show,” a one-hour booksellers' version of the news, weather and opinion, complete with commercial interruptions. New on this year's agenda—multiple sessions and lengthy discussions about social networking and technology.
Educational Programming: Sessions are scheduled on Sunday. Morning warmup starts with a children's booksellers' round table at 9:45 a.m., followed by “picks of the lists” at 11 a.m. Most of the day's panels and workshops are slotted in the afternoon between 2:30 and 4:45 p.m. Topics range from graphic novels to co-op, from “book buzz” to community relations. ABA representatives review concerns about indie commerce at a panel called “Adapting to the New Landscape,” while children's booksellers chat about kids' books and tween reads. Bonus workshop: P.J. Campbell presents her “101 Author Tips: Creating a Successful Book Campaign” at 2:30 p.m. The “Online Right Now” tech center is open 2:30—5:30 p.m. (Tech center will be relocated to the exhibit floor on Monday.) At day's end, booksellers are encouraged to stroll over to the “talking lounge,” take a seat at one of the themed tables and share ideas about author/nonauthor events, store merchandising, social networking—really any subject of interest to the bookselling and publishing community.
Trade Show Details: Exhibit hours: 9:30 a.m.—4 p.m. on Monday. Autographing sessions are held during exhibit hours. Show closes at 4 p.m.
Authors, Authors: Early show arrivals are invited to Saturday's 8 p.m. preview supper and 9:30 p.m. author reception, where they are likely to meet Laurie Halse Anderson (The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School) and other writers. The Sunday children's book breakfast (8:30—9:30 a.m.) features Patricia Reilly Giff (Wild Girl), Gordon Korman (Zoobreak), and Tomie de Paola (Strega Nona's Harvest). The highly anticipated Moveable Feast starts at 12:30 p.m., ends at 2:15 p.m. HarperCollins sponsors the author-packed luncheon again this year. Confirmed: Sarah Blake, Mika Brzezinski, Robert Edsel, Laura Grodstein, Ruth Kassinger, E. Lockhart, Melissa Marr, Steven V. Roberts, Michael Rosen, Lisa Tucker and Jackie Urbanovic. NAIBA gives its annual Legacy Award to Paul Auster at Sunday's Awards Banquet (8—9:30 p.m.), along with recipients of NAIBA's Book of the Year Awards. At 9:30 p.m., its Dashiell Hammett Award nominees—David Levien, George P. Pelecanos, Heywood Gould, Colin Harrison and Abraham Rodriguez—join booksellers and other mystery/crime/thriller authors Rhodi Hawk (A Twisted Ladder), Rusty McClure (Cincinnatus), Charles Kipp (Hell's Kitchen Homicide) and Stephen Hunter (Sniper) at the “noir bar.” The reverie concludes with “bedtime stories,” where “new-and-upcoming” authors read from their works from 10:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Also of Interest: On Saturday, booksellers take self-guided tours of Baltimore's best indies. Sunday: the Helmuth Sales Rep of the Year Award will be presented at the Opening Reception (6—8 p.m.). Monday: NAIBA holds its annual meeting at the 8 a.m. breakfast, where another “picks of the lists” rounds out the menu.
Contact: Eileen Dengler (info@naiba.com); (516) 333-0681; www.newatlanticbooks.com.
Northern California Independent Booksellers Association
Thurs., Oct. 8—Sat., Oct. 10, at Oakland Convention Center and Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, Calif.
Highlights: Organizers say there's a new day at this year's NCIBA show, with a fresh, streamlined program and radically altered exhibit layout. It's about convenience, flexibility and fun.
Educational Programming: Thursday is Education Day. Six concurrent sessions are planned between 10 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. ABA staffers give one program on social media, another on e-books and all digital formats; Above the Treeline representatives demonstrate Edelweiss; financial advisers hold a workshop on the credit crunch. Bonus workshop: San Francisco attorney Beau Simon shares handy tips on store leases. Themed bookstore round tables are also part of the day's mix. On Friday (at 4 p.m.), it's the “reps' picks” in a whirlwind presentation of the season's best bets in five separate categories, with plenty of caffeinated coffee and energy bars.
Trade Show Details: Exhibit hours: 10 a.m.—4 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m.—3 p.m. on Saturday. Autographing sessions are held both days (10:30 a.m.—2:30 p.m.) at exhibitors' booths and/or tables on exhibit floor. Show closes Saturday at 3 p.m.
Authors, Authors: On Thursday, NCIBA president Michael Barnard has a “lunchtime conversation” with Nick Hornby (Juliet, Naked). The early evening welcome reception features former San Francisco Chronicle arts/culture critic Steven Winn (Come Back, Como). Friday's author breakfast starts at 9:30 a.m. (new time slot). Headliners: Timothy Egan (The Big Burn), Jonathan Safran Foer (Eating Animals) and Richard Russo (That Old Cape Magic). The ever-popular Author Reception (6—7:30 p.m.) gives top billing to Allison Hoover Bartlett, Gabrielle Burton, Terry Castle, Gennifer Choldenko, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Joshua Ferris, Maria Finn, Elizabeth Singer Hunt, Jim LaMarche, Kathy Lamb, Lisa Lutz, Joyce Maynard, Cornelia Nixon, Rob Reger, James Rollins, Joan Ryan, Richard Sala, Stephen Jay Schwartz, Patrick Taylor and Cami Walker. And that list is just for starters. Saturday's children's author breakfast (8—10 a.m.): Berkeley Breathed (Flawed Dogs) and Nancy Farmer (The Islands of the Blessed). Attendees at both breakfasts will receive signed copies of the featured books.
Also of Interest: NCIBA holds its usual membership meeting at AJ Toppers on Thursday before the welcome reception and hosts its cocktail party back at AJ Toppers on Friday (4—6 p.m.). It's a wrap early on Saturday afternoon when the annual Cookbook Celebration serves tasty tidbits prepared from this year's “cream of the crop” cookbooks. They are My Nepenthe by Romney Steele, The Bryant Family Vineyard Cookbook by Betsy Fentress, I Know How to Cook by Ginette Mathiot, Get Cooking by Mollie Katzen and Make It Fast, Cook It Slow by Stephanie O'Dea (author-in-attendance).
Contact: Hut Landon (office@nciba.com); (415) 561-7686; www.nciba.com.
Southern California Independent Booksellers Association
Sat., Oct. 24, at Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, Calif.
Highlights: Once again, the historic Biltmore Hotel is the showplace for this annual gathering. Baker & Taylor, HarperCollins Publishers, Random House, Simon & Schuster and Scholastic sponsor the author-studded extravaganza.
Educational Programming: Sessions are scheduled throughout the afternoon. At 2 p.m., there's a panel on Gen Z readers called, “Understanding the New Reader of the Post-electronic Age.” At 3:15 p.m. is a workshop titled, “Building Productive and Profitable Partnerships with Your Local Public Libraries.” Two other presentations fill out the day's program: “Going Digital: The Case for E-books” and “Using Edelweiss.”
Trade Show Details: Exhibit hours: 4:30—6:30 p.m. Autographing sessions are held during exhibit hours.
Authors, Authors: The bill of fare includes the Authors Lunch at noon and the annual Authors Feast and Book Awards Dinner at 7 p.m. At lunch, coauthors Sharon Robinson and Kadir Nelson (Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson) join Joseph Kanon (Stardust) and Scott Westerfeld (Leviathan). Elizabeth Kostova (The Swan Thieves) gives the keynote address at the Authors Feast and Book Award Dinner (7—9 p.m.). Award categories include fiction and nonfiction, children's fiction and children's picture books. Special recognition: T. Jefferson Parker Mystery Award and Glenn Goldman Art and Architecture Book Award, given in honor of the late, much-loved pillar of the Los Angeles bookselling community. Award recipients will attend. Organizers expect more than 50 authors, including Karl Alexander, Ron Carlson, Colin Dickey, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Heidi W. Durrow, BJ Gallagher, Blaze Ginsberg, William Gladstone, Tod Goldberg, Monica Holloway, Michelle Huneven, Gregg Hurwitz, Kate Jacobs, Ari Juels, Steve Lopez, Lydia Millet, Isla Morley, Randy Olson, Liza Palmer, Lorraine Roe and Stephen Jay Schwartz. From the children's and young-adult world: Robin Preiss Glasser, Dean Lorey, E. Van Lowe, Deborah Raffin and Jane Wooster Scott, Andrew Smith and Barrie Summy. Food-lovers in the audience will appreciate meeting Ani Phyo and Anna Thomas.
Also of Interest: Day starts at 10 a.m. with a two-hour “picks of the children's list” with area reps.
Contact: Jennifer Bigelow (jbigelow@scibabooks.org); (626) 793-8435; www.scibabooks.org.
