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Any given exhibitor or attendee has his or her favorite things about any given book fair:  free books, author signings, about 200 million tote bags, seeing their friends, making friends, etc., etc.  One of my favorite things to do while trying to take in a fair is planning ahead for my next fair.  London, BEA, Beijing, even Comic Con, all give little or not so little hints of things to come.  One cat out of the bag: ICPE is back for 2009 in Beijing!  Another:  I'm really REALLY REALLY can’t wait for NYCC (some cats don’t speak).

Another of my favorite things about a show, especially the scale of Frankfurt, is to not only meet new people, but to learn what they do, and what I can do to help them (in whatever limited capacity that might be).  Yesterday over some wine in New Zealand(‘s booth), I talked with two people from a new children’s publishing company who, as just a hobby, decided to start a publisher.  They figured they’re starting, and by Frankfurt 09 they’d be there with some new books. But, a bit of confidence from the New Zealand collective, and a push to make the most of the fair here and now, they’ve already published a small line with more in the future.  “Kids” so to speak whose hobby brought them to Europe all the way from New Zealand.  And then some wine with me, and we’re talking a shelf in Bologna, where New Zealand doesn’t attend themselves.

I’ve also begun to favor the buzz of the show.  Everyone’s been asking what the buzz is for Frankfurt, saying that perhaps there isn’t one.  But everyone I talk to is talking about “The Doctors.”  “The Doctors,” we decided are the buzz of Frankfurt.  “The Doctors” are two could-be models who by the way are both doctors publishing comic books based on medical information to teach children about disease.  They call it MediKids.  Next time you see someone that went to Frankfurt, ask them what they thought about “The Doctors,” and I’m sure you’ll get something.

These are just a few of my favorite things.  Of course, soon enough my most-favoritest part of the show is coming: When I sleep in my own bed at home!

Presumably, no one will read this until Friday morning, but here in Germany, it’s already Friday morning.  I didn’t have time to blog about day two yesterday, because I had to leave for an awesome dinner, very reminiscent of a dinner a yuppie might have had in the 80s.  But I digress…

Day two of the show was pretty much just day one, but on Thursday instead of Wednesday.  Traffic was similar, collected leads were similar, and meetings were just as frequent.  It’s so exciting to wait and hear about the new deals being negotiated at the fair. Two people who came to the Combined Book Exhibit said that they had found books in the exhibit in past years that they bought the rights to, and therefore always make CBE a stop during the show.  No matter how busy their schedules are, there’s always time to seek a new title from our collective.  It’s a happy time.

I’ve met some great people here.  Tomorrow, I’ll have more formal discussions with one such person, and if all goes as planned, I’ll be a busy man for a while, but it will be well worth your while.  I’ll keep you posted.

The great food outings are ending soon, but the show’s still got a few great days left.

So the first day of the biggest fair in the world is officially ending in about two minutes. I can't honestly describe how gigantic it is here, with all the halls being so huge and there being so many halls. The important thing however, isn't the size, but the quantity and quality of the traffic (and parties).

Traffic was pretty much steady for all 9 and a half hours (yeah...nine and a half). New books are being found around every corner, and though I don't personally know of any deals being made (yet), I'm sure there are many each hour, and certainly plenty to come in the coming days--and for those in the Combined Book Exhibit, the weeks and months.

As for the parties, the quality and quantity are both high. German beer, books and people? You should definately come to Frankfurt!