Hotep and Greetings!
I am still processing the wonderful events I experienced at BookExpo America this past weekend...
My publisher, The Elevator Group, had a booth in the Independent Publishers Pavilion of BookExpo America (BEA), the largest gathering of the industry in North America. The expo is comprised of over 2,000 publishers, book-sellers, literary agents, librarians, printers, marketers, auxilliary industry technicans, educators and other exhibitors. A spectacular trade show, BEA was held at the Jacob Jarvitz Center in the heart of New York City and was an international affair. Featuring a number of special events, keynote speakers, "publishers' university" and speciality pavilions for children, the Arab World, Spanish-speakers and African Americans, BEA ROCKED.
There were stars galore: Food Network chef Emeril Lagasse (Bam!), actor Wesley Snipes, actress Julie Andrews, social commentator Tavis Smiley, professor Dr. Cornel West, radio host Tom Joyner with Sybil Wilks and TV talk show hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Joe Scarborough. Celebrity authors included novelist Joyce Carol Oates, R.L. Steine, creator of the popular children's series, "Goosebumps," and cartoonist Tom Wilson of "Ziggy" fame. Talk about exciting!
It was overwhelming to see the sheer number of books that are available in every category you can imagine - cookbooks, spiritual books, romance novels, technical manuals, travel books; books for crafts, how-to's and how-not-to's... Gigantic coloring books for kids and ibity-bity quote books... There were audio books, e-books and software for grandmas to read to their grandbabies from miles away using the internet. Educational books on every possible subject along with titles in fiction, non-fiction, critical commentary, memoirs and... poetry.
While promoting my soon to be released poetry books, Obamatyme: Election Poetry and Soul Poems: Life as Fertile Ground, I personally interacted with attendees from all over the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Japan, India, China, Mexico, Egypt, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Korea - truly amazing! Words do not adequately describe how thrilling it was to be a part of the BEA's extraordinary book autographing line-up of over 500 authors...
One thing is for sure: I can safely say, the world loves President Barack Obama! From one to two o'clock Friday afternoon, people of all persuasions in race, nationality, age, religion - you name it -lined up and patiently waited while I autographed advance copies of Obamatyme. I was so taken with the incredible diversity of people who stood in my line to receive an advance copy that I began taking their pictures (some of whom you can check out in the photo section of this blog).
Obamatyme was the featured title for the autographing session and the fifty books allocated for this event were gone in thirty minutes! Fifteen minutes later, twenty-five copies of Soul Poems were gone too. With fifteen minutes left in my hour, there was not a book left to be had by this author! Unbelievably, the supply of advance copies for both Obamatyme and Soul Poems available at the booth were also completely distributed by the end of the expo!!!
Later, Booth 2963 became the site for impromptu readings from both books by this very excited author... I began reciting poems when advance copies were no longer available and it kept folks from being too disappointed, while simultaneously whetting their appetites. Needless to say, I was highly encouraged when folks said I reminded them of one of our country's most esteemed poets, Maya Angleou... Some even suggested that I should have read one of my poems on Inauguration Day... Talk about affirmation!
The audio sample is in the process of being added to the website for people to hear... An audio book is sure to come, along with dates for appearances and readings here, there and, hopefully, everywhere! So... check out www.theelevatorgroup.com and go to the "New Titles" section to hear the poetry selections from both Obamatyme and Soul Poems; both books are already available for pre-order at www.amazon.com AND the publisher has just received orders for both books!!!
Without a doubt, BEA was an incredible experience I'll never forget!
More later... Peace and blessings.
PS: After you take a listen, drop me a line or two and let me know what you think!!!
Hi Melodye,
I had to search just a bit but found you. This is Susan who latched onto you to ride the shuttle to Javits. Thanks for your generosity in helping me get to the convention center and share an entertaining and thoughtful converation.
Good luck in your publishing endeavors!
Posted by: Susan Sullivan | June 02, 2009 at 09:42 AM
Hotep, Melodye,
Just spent some time reading your blog and am now feeling noticeably inspired. Your words are powerful and I'm looking forward to getting "Soul Poems" in my hands! Blessings.
Posted by: Sherma | July 06, 2009 at 06:21 PM
Fantastic! Thanks so much for your comment... I'll make sure that you know when I make a new post...
Posted by: Melodye Micere Van Putten | July 06, 2009 at 06:50 PM