The publishing world was a curious mix of hyperactivity and near-total silence last week, which can mean only one thing: Book Expo America, known as BEA. It’s an absolutely immense industry-only tradeshow and the largest publishing event in the U.S. by far, with roughly 20,000 publishing industry professionals in attendance.

If you didn’t go, you might feel left out. But never fear! Here’s everything you would have learned if you’d gone.

If you’re an aspiring author, there’s pretty much no reason to go. Here I can’t say it any better than power agent and tell-it-like-it-is internet presence Janet Reid in a recent post on her blog:

BEA is NOT a place for writers to meet agents or try to get info on getting published.  Yes, I’ll be there. So will everyone from my office. I’m not there to meet you. I’m there to see what publishers are doing. I’m there to meet with my co-agents from far flung lands.  I’m there to get a sense of the sea changes in the industry… You want to go to WRITER’S CONFERENCES, not trade shows.  Go where agents ARE actively looking to talk to you.

Boom! Aren’t you glad you didn’t go? Cross it off your list. [Read more…]