
Photo credit: Clarissa Peterson / CC BY-NC-SA
In 2012, I wrote the following post as a warning to self-published authors who fall prey to scams that take advantage of the highly recognized industry trade show, BookExpo (BEA), previously known as BookExpo America. I have updated this post since so much has changed in the last five years, both in regards to this particular trade show, as well as the publishing industry.
Important: In the past, BEA has taken steps to ban companies/organizations who resell BEA marketing opportunities at exorbitant prices. Still, while BEA attempts to educate and protect authors from making expensive mistakes, be smart and do your research before you make BEA part of your strategic marketing, publicity, and PR plan.
First, a little background: What is Book Expo (BEA)?
It’s the largest industry trade show in North America focused on traditional publishing. It started off as a convention for booksellers (the American Booksellers Association), and it’s attended mostly by people inside the industry, including literary agents, booksellers, librarians, and the media. The bulk of BEA consists of an exhibit floor where publishers purchase booth space to show off their upcoming titles (and authors), sell rights, and network with colleagues. There’s also a separate rights area where literary agents often have tables.
Do authors attend BEA?
Yes, but usually at the invitation of their publisher. Every year, traditional publishers decide what specific titles they want to push heavily at BEA, and will often invite the authors to do signings or events meant to bring visibility to the work pre-publication. Remember that “visibility” in this context means visibility to the trade (the industry), not visibility to consumers. There’s a separate event—BookCon—that focuses on consumers.
In 2014, in acknowledgment of the growing indie author market, BEA opened up an exhibit area where indie authors could buy affordable tables to conduct meetings and network. It was initially known as “Author Hub” and is now called “Author Market.” This is not an opportunity to sell books—selling books is not allowed at BEA. You can give away copies, though. Here’s the Author Hub sales sheet for 2016.
Should you exhibit at Author Market?
If you’re a professional, independent author with a significant history of sales, and already know of other professionals you could potentially meet and network with at BookExpo, then it may be a good opportunity for you. This is not a good opportunity for an author who has just published their first book, and thinks visibility at BEA might fix their marketing and promotion problems. It will not.
Whether or not you exhibit at Author Market, BEA is not a shortcut to getting up close and personal with traditional publishers or literary agents, in the hopes one of them will publish or represent your book. You’ll greatly annoy people if you go pitching on the floor, unless it has to do with subrights or licensing. If that is indeed your goal, you should have a very polished pitch, and demonstrate a successful track record. Best-case scenario: set up meetings in advance and don’t ambush people.
BEA is generally not interested in unaffiliated authors walking its floor, because every editor/agent hides from the author who is pitching their self-published work. You can see the unwelcome mat reflected in these 2017 registration prices (highest for authors!); authors must also be “approved” for a badge.
Avoid paying to have your book promoted for you at BEA
Aside from the Author Market, there are a handful of opportunities for authors to get visibility for their work at BEA. As far as I’m concerned—as someone who attended this show for 10 years, mainly as an editor with a traditional publishing house—it is not worth the investment. Here’s why.
- The emphasis of the show is on traditional publishing, rights sales and pre-publication marketing, and does not favor indie title promotion. It is a New York industry event where traditional publishing insiders talk to other traditional publishing insiders. Yes, there are librarians and booksellers, but they’re rarely paying attention to the places where an indie book may be showcased or promoted.
- Nobody is going to notice your book there. Your book is likely to be promoted with many other books, with no way of attracting attention even if someone did pause for a second within 50 feet of your book. Imagine setting a copy of your book down in the world’s largest book fair, and expecting someone to not only notice it, but be entranced by it so much they can ignore 10,000 other things happening at the same time.
- If you—the author—are not present to advocate for it, your book doesn’t stand a chance. Services that offer to promote your book at BEA are rarely, if ever, hand-selling or promoting your book in a meaningful way. But they will be happy to cash your check and say that your book had a “presence” at BEA. If you want to satisfy your ego, go ahead. But it’s not going to lead to meaningful sales. (I challenge anyone in the comments to provide evidence that a self-published book gained traction at BEA because the author paid a fee to secure placement—and the author was not present.)
BEA is a quality industry event, and it is a legitimate marketing and promotion opportunity. But for the majority of indie authors, it does not make sense to invest what are likely your limited resources in BEA.
You’ve read my post incorrectly. I’m telling people not to pay to have their book promoted at BEA by a third party. Big difference.
Furthermore, authors are not meant to attend BEA unless it’s at the invitation of their publisher.
What about Kirkus marketing services? I’m hesitant about self-publishing, being good at promoting others if I put my mind to it, but hopeless at doing for my own work. Someone sent me a link to Kirkus services today, it sounds expensive.
Are you interested in Kirkus online advertising packages? If so, I wouldn’t advise buying into it unless you really understand online advertising, i.e., you know what CTR means, you know the importance of conversions, you have experience writing online copy that produces conversions. Online ads can be next to useless unless (1) you’re targeting the right audience (2) you know what to tell the audience to make them buy after they click.
Pass. I think you’re saving people a lot of trouble 🙂
Totally agree with this and I applaud you for stating it so boldly. SO proud to know you.
Hi Jane – I agree with you in general, but there are two instances that I do think have value – 1) if you have a distributor, displaying in their booth and supplying the reps with a sell sheet about your book, and 2) the IBPA booth gets a lot of traffic, provides a nice catalog for librarians and book sellers to take, every book is categorized and face out and the booth is manned by knowledgeable people. Their Ben Franklin award winners are displayed separately and get a lot of attention.
I agree. If you have a well-known distributor in the business, maybe. If you’re an award winner, maybe. I still think the value is very limited, so I wouldn’t steal funds from other marketing and promotion efforts in order to do it.
Thanks – keep the advice coming.
[…] Authors: Don’t Pay Money for BEA Book Promotion, by Jane Friedman – “This advice is for self-published authors, independent authors, […]
It is amazing to me that anyone would think for a moment that paying your way into an event like this is a wise decision. The folks selling these sorts of “services” have no interest at all in the success of a book or its author; their only objective is selling the “spot”. Once that is accomplished everything else is less than secondary. The same sort of money extraction scheme shows up with each issue of the New York Review of Books. Huge, two page advertisements dotted with a couple dozen vanity published books. If the company responsible for putting… Read more »
Hear, hear.
[…] professor Jane Friedman, who hosts the Ether here at her site, posted her excellent warning, Authors: Don’t Pay Money for BEA Book Promotion, just as I’d been reading an arresting series of comments on a blog post titled Who Controls […]
On a related note, what do you think of people offering a paid service for writers to pitch book ideas at the BEA? These are not agents. Agents do this for free. I know a few people who go every year and get paid big bucks for this service. Agents don’t appreciate them much. I advise my clients to just find an agent.
I haven’t heard of such services, so it’s tough to comment. I’d probably avoid.
Thank you so much for this information as I was just about to do so; I did, however, wonder about exposure for my book while not able to be there in person. You are a life/money saver. I wish there were more like you. My book, When Pigs Fly; A Journey Home, will have to fly to new heights on its own…thank you, thank you.
susanfries-author.com
Great advice, Jane. I submitted my third book at BEA and crickets…
Thank you for this post. I’m a little late to the game on this thread. What is your take on a newly published author (me) being encouraged to attend by my publisher (Black Rose Writing) for a discounted rate (somewhere between $300 – $600 depending on how many days, author signing slots, etc.)?
Is it a viable opportunity?
For most authors, it’s not worth the expense, unless you’re simply curious to see the inner workings of the industry at a trade show, or have an interest in the educational programming. Or, if you consider yourself a superlative networker and an extrovert, it might be worth it.
You had me until “extrovert.” 🙂 Thank you for the speedy reply. Great post. Looking forward to more.
As a new author with my first book coming out in September, I was encouraged to attend BEA this year by my publisher. It is of no cost to me. I am attending because I’m curious to learn more about the industry, but what are some things I could do to make the most out of my BEA visit?
I would recommend taking advantage of the educational programming; if there are any panelists/speakers that are of high interest to you, the programming often offers you a better chance to speak with them briefly or introduce yourself, rather than trying to do it on the show floor (which is a bit chaotic).
[…] find too much out there to tell new writers what to expect. I read a really good blog post called “Don’t Pay Money for BEA Book Promotion.” After attending, I agree with that statement, but if you are in the situation like I was in where […]
[…] view post at https://janefriedman.com/dont-pay-for-bea/ […]
Naturally, BEA is a trade show, which is quite different from a conference or a convention. And all the best information to be gleaned from the event can be found for free online not long after (or even before) the trade show ends.
[…] beware of BEA, and so on is just normal advice, what do I mean beware of BEA? I just received an excellent article in Jane Friedman’s newsletter this morning. In it, she warns about signing up for predatory marketing plans offering you access […]
[…] Think Twice Before Paying to Exhibit at Book Expo (BEA) (Jane Friedman): In summary: “BEA is a quality industry event, and it is a legitimate marketing and […]
[…] “Authors: Think Twice Before Paying to Exhibit at Book Expo (BEA)”: an important message from Jane Friedman. […]
[…] https://janefriedman.com/dont-pay-for-bea/ A note of warning for Indies. […]
Thank you for this post. What if someone bought a booth space already as a first time exhibitor and they are self-published? (The books are all art educational materials from an art educator) Do you have any advice, like maybe specific documents or printouts distributors look for generally? Also, do people sell/give out merchandise like totebags, pens, etc.? (couldn’t find this information on their website.)
Hi Janice – If there’s any way you can cancel and get a refund, that’s what I’d do. BookExpo is not an ideal place to be selling specialist book products or materials like yours; the better event is probably something like this: http://www.creativationshow.org/ – or else some kind of show focused on art educators. But if you must follow through, then have a one-sheet or catalog that lists all your offerings, with information on how to order. It’s common to offer little giveaways (pens/totes/etc), but make sure your branding/website is very clear on whatever you pass out.
Hi Jane,
Thank you for your thorough piece. I have a very popular book lover’s gift item. I have exhibited at
the gift trade shows nationwide since 2009 and I am now considering Book Expo. Did you notice
if retailers did any business? Would BookCon be better for me?
Thank you in advance,
Hi Susan – If your book is likely to interest booksellers and librarians, BookExpo is your best bet. BookCon is mainly for readers/fans of novelists, YA in particular. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you think your book/products will appeal to young people.
I completely agree. A number of years ago, we spent tens of thousands of dollars on our BookExpo presence including booth space in a well-trafficked area, display advertising in the official BEA publications, getting our people to BookExpo to staff the booth with the aim of selling, hiring professional entertainers, and costly give-aways which attracted thousands of people to our booth. People came for all the freebies, but our sales due to BookExpo: ZERO. We did not make a single book sale at, or as a result of, BEA although we have sold hundreds of thousands of our various titles… Read more »
This is the definitely the big league… and your article is a little misguiding. Authors and small publishers should take the same approach that other talents take in film, TV and music; you need REPRESENTATION. It’s just that simple. For one to venture to a TRADE SHOW without any knowledge of how the industry works, has already failed, simply because they were not prepared for the big time. Failing is a part of the journey; it’s the same process indie filmmakers, directors, writers and or producers face until they score major representation; publishing isn’t any different. I’m a filmmaker, I… Read more »
Thank you was wondering about this
[…] honest assessment of what to expect. Jane Friedman wrote an important post earlier this year called “Authors: Think Twice Before Paying to Exhibit at Book Expo (BEA),” in which she rightly warned authors about scams and expressly shared her opinion (which I share) […]
As a first time self published author what are your thoughts about advertising with IBPA?
I’m afraid I’m not familiar with IBPA’s advertising opportunities. However, if you’re trying to reach your book’s readership, most indie authors use the marketing and promotion methods outlined here: http://nicholaserik.com/start/
Thank you
Hi! I’m a published children’s author with a small publishing company. I attended BEA last year in their booth. It was pricey as I needed travel and lodging on top of paying my publisher to be there. This next show it will be $2500 for me to simply attend the show (oh and get a muffin at the Children’s Author Breakfast). Last year we had signings with the show and I was on a panel thanks to my publisher. But no sales from this show. Fun. Inspirational. Great experience. But not a marketing or sales-generating event. I’m really on the… Read more »
Thanks to your very useful advice and the comments of others here, my husband (self-published) is interested in attending the BEA in NY 2018 for the experience with no expectations about selling books or being discovered by a big publisher….so I’m researching the most cost effective way to make that happen. Through IngramSpark, for instance, an author can get into the Combined Book Exhibit (shelf space and catalog) for $200. Buying a badge/ticket to the event is separate, so should he attend one day of the BEA ($200 OR attend BookCon ($35-45) or do one day of each? Thank you… Read more »
Hi Laurie: If he wants to experience BEA, then he should try to buy a badge/ticket, although his application may not be approved. I don’t see how BookCon would make sense, as it’s an event for readers/fans.
Hi Laurie, I tried emailing IngramSpark about doing something at BEA with them. Someone replied saying they didn’t know of any way to do anything. Who did you contact at IngramSpark to get that offer?
my wife has been approached twice in the past month regarding a place at the next book expo in new york. the most recent is “4-day Title display in both bookexpo and bookcon. she has 2 books self published through a print on demand company, and part of the deal is switching to this new publisher. her current book sale are minimal since original publish 5 years ago, although there is hope for more. this new offer has inticed her by stating” a literary agent gave her a score of 8.5, unheard of for a new author” and we have… Read more »
Run away – this is not going to help sell the book, and you’re being misled, if not lied to.
Would it be possible if (BEA) is good for networking with publishers and agents prior to publication? Perhaps describing the book and get a yes, or no the same day.
Hi Mary – No, I do not recommend this strategy, as you are most likely to annoy publishers/agents. They do not attend BEA to hear pitches from authors; they attend to network with each other. They’ll see you as an intruder.
Hello Jane, Just today I received a call from a publishing company who wanted to republish my book, “The Squire Detectives.” The consultant talked about how my book came to them highly recommended (yet she would not disclose any details because of confidentiality—very suspicious). She said the price of my book was too high and that I was receiving too low of royalties from my publisher—and that her company wanted to republish my book, lower the price, and give me 100 percent royalties. Most importantly, she recommended the BEA to me. She said that it would cost me $499 dollars… Read more »
Hi Jacob: So glad you found this – and posted this question! This is NOT an offer you want. Do not pay them. And I don’t think your book is priced too high (I checked it on Amazon).
Since 2014 I have attended BEA, both as a self-published author and in 2017 as an exhibitor (the worst mistake I have ever made) In 2018 I contacted them about a book signing in the author’s section (something different and it was less expensive) I was accepted after filling out the application however, I never heard from them again. After repeated phone calls and E-Mails, they only fell on deaf ears. Finally, I heard from Mr. Scully and was told that the author’s signing section has just closed. I explained my situation but nothing was done about it. You are… Read more »
Hi Glenn: Thanks for sharing your experience here, and I’m sorry it wasn’t better (although not surprised).
THANK YOU for this! I wish more people listened to you. As a publisher of a small press who had a booth at BEA this year, I cannot tell you the number of authors who paid for themselves or paid a third party to be there, only to “pitch” to small presses all day long. As a publisher, this shows me that an author has no knowledge of how the industry works. Here is what BEA looks like on our end: 1. Author signings and ARC giveaways 2. Presentations at panels (and attendance at others) and prepping for those on-stage… Read more »
Excellent advice, Jaycee – thank you so much for taking the time to share this.
Hi Jane, Thanks for this article, this is very helpful, as I’ve never participated at BEA before. I run a personal growth book subscription box. I’m always looking to find excellent new books, authors to serve as guest curators, book bloggers interested in reviewing my box, and book clubs for subscriptions. Do you think attending BEA would be helpful? Would it be best to network or have a booth? Thank you in advance!
Hi Sharon: In your case, an event like BEA could be useful in networking with publicists and others who’d like to see their authors featured through your service. I wouldn’t exhibit your first year; instead, I’d walk the show with biz cards and a one-sheet describing your service (set appointments in advance, if possible), then decide later if an exhibit would make sense.
Thanks, Jane. As with other indie-authors, I am bombarded with pitches. The latest was in regard to this Expo. I hadn’t heard of it, nor the pitch machine that called, Stonewall Press. They picked me up for the combination of low sales and high (5-star) ratings on Amazon. I listened, skeptical. Your blog is the great, experience-based common sense I needed to clear my head on their pitch. I won’t be diverting my time or money from my basic marketing plan to participate, though it certainly seems that under the right conditions, someday this may be a good thing to… Read more »
Hi George – Very glad to hear you were skeptical and didn’t take the bait! It can be hard for even professionals in the industry to sort out the valuable opportunities. If you haven’t come across Writer Beware yet, I highly recommend it as another resource to help you identify questionable services or outright scams. https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/