So the big excitement at BookExpo for Peace Hill Press is that Christopher got Garrison Keillor’s autograph,
which was even more exciting than Alec Baldwin waving at Dot (as I walked by his signing table with her on my hip–I didn’t know he was there) and saying, “Baby! Hi, baby! Look at the baby!”
(Dot, with Bob, not Alec)
There are always celebrities at BookExpo, signing their latest book, but there’s a particularly high celebrity-factor here this weekend, probably because it’s in L.A. Bob ran into Doctor Ruth, William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy have both been doing signings, Jamie Lee Curtis and Cheech (of Cheech and Chong) are around somewhere–oh, and there have been some actual WRITERS doing signings too. (Ray Bradbury and Neal Stephenson, for you SF fans–although I didn’t make it over to either booth. Drat.)
We’ve talked to a lot of booksellers who weren’t familiar with our books, and to a number of foreign publishers investigating translation rights. I’m hoping that the press from India follows through, and also that one of the two contacts we made with Spanish-language publishers will pan out. I’d love to see the books in Spanish.
I’ve been to a few seminars–one on multimedia supplements to children’s books (The Story of the World Role Playing Game? ), one on changes in book distribution (incredibly unhelpful, as the presenters stood up and said, “There are big changes coming in book distribution!”), and one last night where Ron Sider, Randall Balmer, Marcia Ford, and David Gushee talked about evangelicals and their involvement in politics. That was the best, and the most sparsely attended, of any of the sessions.
Wandered over to say hello to the folks at Princeton who’ll be selling The Art of the Public Grovel,
tried out the Kindle (keep an eye out for Peace Hill Press books in the Kindle format–we’re working on it),
investigated a number of of the parties that seem to break out around 4 PM at the bigger publisher booths. They bring in caterers and a portable bar, and everybody storms the aisle.
I’ve been going back to the hotel and collapsing afterwards, but apparently there’s been quite a bit of wild partying going on. The guy across the aisle was on his way to the “Ted Turner party at Larry King’s house,” and Prince hosted a house-party (so I hear) that went on until 5 AM.
Weirdly enough, I didn’t get any of those invitations. Hmm…
At 4 PM today, we’ll break down the booth and send the essentials (the PTSB and a few other things) back to the Norton warehouse. We’re trying to take back as little as possible, since it costs an arm and a leg and another leg to ship it all back to the east coast, so we’ll probably donate most of our display books to First Book, a great charity which will box them up and distribute them to kids who need them.
I’m thrilled to see your books may become available on the Kindle. I received my Kindle on January 3, but wish I’d had it when I first started reading my way through The Well Educated Mind. I purchased History of the Ancient World when it first came out, but have not finished it. If it was on Kindle, I could take it with me every where I go, highlight it while reading, review it, etc. There are many Kindle users who have arthritis or other disabilities, including vision, who find it difficult to read or turn pages on regular books. I have a touchy back, disks that do not play well with others, and appreciate being able to have lots of books with me without lugging the weight.
Woohoo! Kindle version of History of the Ancient World and Well-Educated Mind will rock my world. I am aghast that you aren’t Kindled yet!
What a great moment for Christopher. AWESOME!
And I would have loved to hear that politics/religion panel. Marcia Ford is well-versed in that arena (and a lovely person to boot!).
Thanks for the scoop! I’ll be at BEA in 2010, come what may!
Just so you know, we don’t have any control over getting the History of the Ancient World, the Well-Educated Mind, or the Well-Trained Mind onto Kindle–those are Norton books. All we control are the Peace Hill Press titles (Story of the World, First Language Lessons, Writing With Ease, etc.) I did talk to the Norton folks at the show, and they’re working at getting Norton titles onto Kindle, but it’s a process and they haven’t gotten to our books yet. I’m told it’s on the near horizon.
Thanks for the inside peek of a Book Expo. I had no idea that they were so glamorous!
WOW! Ray Bradbury? AWESOME!! He is one of my all time favorite authors.
What fun for your son (and you)! Hmm, the Story of the World Role Playing game…I might actually be interested!
Neal Stephenson is one writer I’d love to meet. Add Richard Powers and David Foster Wallace, for those writing in English. Now that would be some great conversation!
Just curious Susan what your opinion is about Kindle.
Kindle is looking like a great tool. We’d love to see your books added to the Kindle Library!