The L.A. Timesreports
from Book Expo America, which reflected the hard times that book publishers are facing because of the rise of electronic media and gaming, and because of reduced consumer spending due to the recession.
Publishing has been in trouble for some time, with massive layoffs and sales numbers in decline. One reason is the industry's blockbuster mentality, in which big books -- " Harry Potter," "Twilight" -- are expected to play a savior role.
At BookExpo, Dan Brown's forthcoming "Da Vinci Code" sequel, "The Lost Symbol," was advertised on two enormous banners in the Javits Center lobby, but it was the only book to get that kind of play.
Otherwise, evidence of cost-cutting was everywhere, beginning with the convention itself, which occupied 21% less floor space than last year's show in Los Angeles. As for giveaways, once a hallmark of the show, they were almost nonexistent; even advance reading copies were in short supply.
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Yet there were many at BookExpo who see this state of affairs as an opportunity, a charge to reinvent the book -- and publishing -- for a new century. Using print-on-demand technology, PublicAffairs -- a division of Perseus -- edited and published a 134-page paperback in 48 hours. Called "Book: The Sequel," it featured hundreds of first lines for prospective sequels to classics such as "Gone With the Wind" and "The Catcher in the Rye." Work began at 4 p.m. Thursday; finished books were distributed Saturday afternoon.
"It is not often that someone comes along who is friendly and tasty. Wilbur was both," wrote Liz Frame, identifying one possible future for E.B. White's iconic pig. Lauren Gilbert imagined " Facebook of Common Prayer," a sequel to the "Book of Common Prayer." Its first line? "You have a friend request from God. Confirm as Friend or Ignore?"
Trendy uses of technology aside, the book industry is facing many challenges. People still want books and interesting stories, but the format of delivery is slowly changing to conform to an all-digital world.
