BOTNS #276: Poor Donna Tartt (BookCon)

[[deleted user]]

After listening to the newest episode, I was wondering if anyone else here is planning on attending this year's BookCon? I'll be there for BEA, so will also pop into BookCon, too (if they end up being separate - it's still a little confusing how that Saturday will shape up).

[Linda]

Shannon, there are a few who have been discussing it on Facebook. I am included in that conversation. If you are on Facebook, let me know and I will get you into the "Friends of Booktopia" group where you can see that conversation.

[Terry]

Linda, I am also considering going to BookCon. Can you add me to the "Friends of Booktopia" group?

[Kalen]

BookCon is separate from BEA. If you're an exhibitor, you can visit both. I'm not certain if attendees can go between the two or not. We are (somewhat reluctantly) exhibiting at both--it will be interesting to see how it works and how effective it is.

[Tracey]

Kalen wrote: "BookCon is separate from BEA. If you're an exhibitor, you can visit both. I'm not certain if attendees can go between the two or not. We are (somewhat reluctantly) exhibiting at both--it will be in..."

Hi Kalen,

Why is your company reluctant about it? Just curious.

Thanks,

Tracey

[Linda]

Shannon and Terry,

I'm working on it. Very soon.

[Kalen]

Tracey, BEA is a VERY expensive show for us ($10k+ not including staff time and travel and my imprint alone sends 5 people for average 4 nights.) BookCon adds additional costs--so far around $2k--we need additional staff, books, posters, booth furnishings, etc. And it's an unknown since this is the first year they've done it. We know we won't sell enough books to recoup our costs, but hopefully it will be good for talking to readers and showcasing our books. Power Reader Day at BEA has been a bust for us the last two years--it's impossible for a smaller publisher to fully compete with the majors at something like that. We hope this will be a better experience and there's only one way to find out.

[Janet]

I am going....this will be my 3rd year. I do BEA during the day and go to the theater with a travel buddy at night so it is an exhausting 3 days for me but I'd love to meet up for lunch or coffee with other BOTNS listeners and Booktopians.

[Louise]

Concerning the *poor Donna* part of the show :-) The issues for me, when a book wins a prize/award is:
A. your expectations go up and
B. you look at the runner ups you like and go hmm - so this one is supposed to be better??

As an example, this years tournament of books
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/#

was won by The Good Lord Bird, which I have on audio - and I just started listening to it. But now that it beat Life after life, A Tale for the time being and several other books, that I expect a lot from, I can sense that it will have a harder time impressing me, than if I'd been totally unprejudiced.

Can the rest of you keep a more open mind towards prize winners?

[Sue]

I'm going to Bookcon and taking my 11 year old twin girls who are BESIDE THEMSELVES about seeing John Green in the flesh. Would love to join the FB conversation! I'm Sue Haiken Parmet on FB.

Thanks!