BEA Confronts Changes In Book Publishing

But ask what should be done and the arguments begin. Attendees at the three-day gathering, which ended Sunday, could be divided into three categories: those anxious for change, those who accept it and those who resist. "At my age (64), I wish it was as simple as holding on to the older way of doing things," says Daniel Menaker, executive editor-in-chief at the Random House Publishing Group. "This is a convention that is haunted by questions about the future."

Google, the online giant, is all for change, handing out free cookies to convention goers willing to try its book search program. Another Internet leader, Amazon.com, officially launched Amazon Upgrade, allowing customers to view content online as a bonus for purchasing a traditional text.

Accepting change was Henry Holt and Company, a publisher known for literary fiction and serious nonfiction. Now, resigned to a market dominated by commercial thrillers like "The Da Vinci Code" and "The Historian," Holt is hoping for its own blockbuster novel, Jeb Rubenfeld's "The Interpretation of Murder," featuring Sigmund Freud in early 20th century New York. "You have to expand the definition of your publishing program," said Holt publisher John Sterling, who plans a $500,000 marketing campaign. "When you have a very big book, you have to take your efforts to new levels of investment and risk."

BookExpo's prime resister and audience favorite was John Updike, the white-haired man of letters who during a Saturday breakfast speech reminded booksellers that "the written word was supposed to speak for itself and sell itself," without author promotion. Updike, who didn't bother discussing his own upcoming novel, "Terrorist," received the biggest applause of the day, topping the expected star attraction, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.