Posted on October 17th, 2008
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!
