In Memoriam: Tim Russert from BEA 2006
In honor of Tim Russert, we are re-distributing this May 2006 podcast.
Tim was the opening night keynote speaker for BookExpo America when it was in Washington, D.C. At the time, Tim had just released his book, Wisdom of our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons (Random House), and during his speech Tim welcomed BEA to Washington D.C. and shared his insights on family life as well as Washington politics. Tim is introduced on the podcast briefly by myself and Random House Senior Editor Susan Mercandetti.
On behalf of BookExpo America and booksellers and bookbuyers everywhere, Tim’s wisdom and words will be missed.
Lance Fensterman
Director of BookExpo America
The Future of Reading
A century ago, the cinema was dismissed as “an invention without a future,” but today it thrives as much in theaters as online. Likewise, books and the habit of reading are often placed on endangered lists in our own time, especially by technophiles who denigrate the printed word as an obsolete “form factor.” But if reading is to have a future it must successfully build a bridge from the “old” ways of publishing to the new.
Panelists from publishing, academia, and the library community explore how social networking, online programming (including Internet-delivered TV), and related technology are poised to become saviors of printed word. Featuring publisher Paul Dry; publisher Ana Maria Allessi of audio titles and e-books for HarperMedia; Deborah Kovacs, Senior Vice President of Publishing for Walden Media; and librarian and author Irene McDermott.
The Future of Reading was moderated by Christopher Kenneally, Director of Author and Creator Relations at Copyright Clearance Center and host of the “Beyond the Book” podcast series.
Emerging Voices
BookExpo America’s seventh annual Emerging Voices panel once again provided an unparalleled opportunity for all to listen to, and meet authors whose works are on the verge of gaining wider audiences and recognition.
This year’s Emerging Voices panelists were: Nami Mun - author, Miles from Nowhere; Rachel Kushner - author, Telex from Cuba; Andrew Davidson - author, Gargoyle; Mark Sarvas - author, Harry, Revised; Barbara Suter - author, Dorothy on the Rocks; and Rivka Galchen - author, Atmospheric Disturbances.
While at BEA, Rivka Galchen also stopped by the BEA Authors Studio. Listen to the interview here.
Upfront and Unscripted with Jeff Bezos
In this Upfront and Unscripted session, visionaries Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO of Amazon.com, and Chris Anderson, Executive Editor of Wired and author of The Long Tail, participate in a one-on-one informal but incisive discussion focused on the evolving impact of Amazon’s Kindle on publishing models and reader habits.
Kindleistas in the digital media continue to fuel the tipping-point chatter while others in the trade point to implications for publishers in a iPod-like digital mono-channel. Meanwhile, newer Kindle models are sure to bring stylistic and user changes that will encourage greater adaptation from consumers farther down the Long Tail. This is a conversation any stakeholder in the book industry should not miss.
This podcast episode begins with a special announcement from Bezos and Simon and Schuster President and CEO Carolyn Kroll Reidy. Reidy announced that Simon and Schuster will be make 5,000 additional titles available to Kindle users by the end of 2008, more than doubling their current offering.
What Retailers & Librarians Should Know about Video Games and Gamers
Jordan Mechner, the creator of Prince of Persia, takes us inside the video game world — explaining how this fast-growing, often-misunderstood new medium has evolved over the past twenty years, and exploring the connections between video games, books, movies and graphic novels.
Created by Jordan on the Apple II computer 20 years ago, Prince of Persia has become one of the world’s most popular and enduring video game franchises, with over 10 million copies sold. Jordan adapted his game as a feature film screenplay for Jerry Bruckheimer/Walt Disney Pictures (coming Summer 2009), and directed a graphic novel adaptation to be published by First Second Books (September 2008).
BOOM: Marketing to the Ultimate Book-Buying Consumer
The publishing industry has woken up to the fact that the boomer generation, and women, in particular, did not fade away at 60.
In fact, baby boomers–ages 43-61– comprise the largest book-buying demographic today. But as lucrative as this consumer may be, marketing books to boomers is not for the faint of heart. They are a complex, demanding and often unpredictable generation–but worth the effort. This panel of experts will help you reach, connect with and influence this ultimate power consumer.
Moderated by Carol Orsborn, Ph.D., Sr. VP and co-chair of Fleishman-Hillard’s FH Boom, the panel included Ellen Archer, Sr. VP and Publisher of Hyperion/Voice; Karen Murgolo, VP and Editorial Director of Springboard Press; and David Singleton, Director of Planning and Promotion for AARP Publications.
Saturday Book and Author Breakfast
The 2008 Saturday Book and Author Breakfast featured Magic Johnson, author of an untitled book on business; Philippa Gregory, author of The Other Queen; and Andre Dubus III, author of The Garden of Last Days: A Novel.
Alec Baldwin, author of A Promise To Ourselves: A Journey Through Divorce and Fatherhood served as the Master of Ceremonies.
Upfront and Unscripted with Sid Jacobson
Sid Jacobson was the managing editor and editor in chief for Harvey Comics, where he created Richie Rich, and executive editor at Marvel Comics. Along with long-time colleague Ernie Colón, Jacobson released The 9/11 Report, a graphical presentation of the 9/11 Commission’s final report card of the U.S. government’s fulfillment of the recommendations issued after September 11, 2001.
In this Unfront and Unscripted podcast episode, Jacobson is joined by Mark Evanier, a comic book and television writer. Together, they discuss Jacobson’s history in the comic industry and his newer, political work.
Something to Hide: Writers Against the Surveillance State
As the United States faces more and more national security challenges and potential threats, authors find themselves in their own fight against the policies that have been put in place to protect our country.
Writers and journalists from all over the world are imprisoned, threatened, persecuted, or attacked in the course of carrying out their profession. This panel, Something to Hide: Writers Against the Surveillance State, brings to light many of these injustices, and urges writers and readers alike to fight to keep the written word free.
Featured speakers were: Larry Siems, Pen American Center’s Freedom to Write and International Programs Director; Jameel Jaffer, attorney at the ACLU; author Jim Crace; and Sally Brooks.
Joining this group was a distinguished group of writers and artists including Andre Dubus III, Roxanna Robinson, Judy Blume, Dennis Lehane, and Azar Nafisi.
RIP DRM: How Publishers Should Adapt to New Digital Channels
Following the trail of the music industry, the publishing industry is facing a new world where channels of distribution are controlled by the consumer instead of the content creator.
As book publishers become more entrenched in this new system, they face many challenges, including the option to encode media with digital rights management technologies (DRM).
In this podcast episode, RIP DRM: How Publishers Should Adapt to New Digital Channels, eMusic CEO David Pakman looks back on the successes and failures of DRM in the music industry and explains how our industry can learn from these examples.
Upfront and Unscripted with Jeff Sharp
Jeff Sharp is one of New York’s most prominent independent film producers. Over the past ten years, he has produced several notable features, including Boys Don’t Cry, You Can Count on Me, and Nicholas Nickleby. He is currently the President and CEO of Sharp Independent, which last fall announced a strategic partnership with HarperCollins.
In this Upfront and Unscripted podcast episode, Sharp and Christopher Kenneally, Director of Author and Creator Relations at Copyright Clearance Center, discuss the state of independent filmmaking and how Sharp’s approach to Hollywood has changed since joining the New York-based publisher.
Children’s Book and Author Breakfast
Presented in cooperation with the Children’s Booksellers and Publishers Committee [A cooperative committee of the American Booksellers Association (ABA), Association of Booksellers for Children (ABC), and the Children’s Book Council (CBC)] this opening-day breakfast featured Sherman Alexie, author of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part- Time Indian; Judy Blume, author of Going, Going, Gone! with the Pain and the Great One; and Neil Gaiman, author of The Graveyard Book.
Eoin Colfer, author of Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox served as the Master of Ceremonies. Jon Scieszka, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, provided special introductory remarks.
Welcome to BEA 2008
We caught up with the director of BookExpo America, Lance Fensterman, just as the doors opened for BEA 2008 at 9 am on Friday May 30.
Bmally Teaches The 10 Commandments to the Youngest Lambs
Vivica Keyes is the Founder and President of Prazup, Inc. As a former Nursery, Pre-K and Kindergarten Ministry Director, she developed and wrote the curriculum for several years before she began to write her own children’s series and created her first character, Bmally.
Bmally (pronounced Baa-lee) is the main character in The 10 Commandments, is the first book to be published in this series. Bmally explores Bible stories and applies biblical practices to the challenges our youngest children are facing in today’s society.
For more information about Prazup and Bmally, please click here.
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