In the competitive world of publishing, independent presses, as always, face a number of challenges. At this year’s BookExpo America, held May 1-5 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City, many indies acknowledged this reality, yet were quick to point out the benefits of being independent. Sporting a cheery yellow shirt and tie, and a smile to match, Ten Speed Press CEO Philip Wood noted, "It’s a difficult time, but also a good time, to start and have an independent press. The new technology has democratized the business….

Big crowds were moving through the trade show floor all day Saturday collecting galleys, autographs, and totebags.

And the Winners Are….

At this year's Celebration of Bookselling at BookExpo America, Leif Enger's Peace Like a River (Atlantic Monthly) won the Book Sense Book of the Year award as best adult fiction title.

The winner for adult nonfiction was Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand (Random House), and the winner of the rediscovery award -- presented for the first time this year -- was given to My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett, illustrated by Ruth Chrisman Gannett (Random House).

Competing as smarter retailers has become a key strategy for independent booksellers, and the almost 400 independents attending a full day of ABA special educational programming at BookExpo America filled panels and seminars to hear the latest on everything from marketing and inventory control to the "best ideas" in newsletters and staff development. In addition to the panels on business operations and personnel issues, there was an extensive offering of programming on children's bookselling and African-American bookselling.

Thursday, May 2, will mark the beginning of a very busy New York City visit for independent booksellers and others in the book publishing industry as BookExpo America opens at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Set to run from May 2 - May 5, the show will feature full days of networking, educational panels, meetings with publishers on the busy trade floor, and lots of opportunities to hear authors discuss their latest works.

At this year’s BookExpo America, the Southeast Booksellers Association (SEBA) will honor Becky Anderson Wilkins, co-owner of Anderson’s Bookshops in Naperville, Illinois, with the 2002 Charles S. Haslam Award for Excellence in Bookselling. The annual award is given to a bookseller who "has achieved excellence in the field," and includes a $1,000 cash prize and plaque. Incoming ABA President Ann Christopherson will present the Haslam Award at the ABA Celebration of Bookselling, held from 5:30 p.m.

On Saturday, May 4, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. BookExpo America (BEA) attendees can learn the latest on how community-based retailers are working to more effectively advocate on important political issues in their cities and towns.

Due to overwhelming interest in this year's Book Sense 76 Author & Bookseller Luncheon, Carl Lennertz has announced that the event is now filled up. "When Book Sense and The New Yorker initiated the luncheon last year in Chicago, the response from booksellers, authors, and publishers was outstanding. For many people it was the highlight of the entire show. We expect nothing less this year. It's too bad we can't include everyone."

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