Sunday, June 3, 2007

Books and Knitting Divas

BREAKING NEWS BULLETIN:

The last happy moments of the Purloined Sock:



Every year, the book biz holds a huge trade show. Book Expo America—BEA. Booksellers, publishers, librarians, distributors and other business-types meet, greet, buy, sell.

This year, BEA was held in NYC and, thanks to stuff in my off-line life, (Yes, I do have an off-line life!) I was able to be there.

Overwhelming. Picture two floors—each floor probably as large as two football fields—full of exhibitor booths. But, this is a knitting blog—so, let’s cut to the knitting.

Since BEA is a trade show where the publishers are pitching their wares, there are also authors present. And, I’m happy to report that the knitting world was represented:



No, Stephanie hasn’t written a gardening book. Nor is the caption above her head a comment on her books, her knitting, or her hair.

Another knitter showing her stuff was Crazy Aunt Purl--Laurie Perry. Her book, Drunk Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair is being marketed as a self-help book since it chronicles Laurie’s growth as a dumped wife to the self-assured and talented woman that she is. (She's also very cute and as sweet as pecan pie!)

The knitting angle--Laurie had gotten dragged off to a knitting class, discovered she liked it, found new knitting friends and learned that she couldn’t drunk-dial the ex when her fingers were busy knitting a hat. The book, coming out in October, will have some knitting "recipes."

Look what the publisher's PR people spun up--



It’s such a joy to see Laurie’s book getting published. It's the ultimate revenge. Her loser husband left because he wanted to “get his creativity back.” So, nyah nyah--take that, Mr. X!



It was about 189 degrees inside the Javits Center and we were all just piles of sweat—but Laurie was just glistening and glowing. However, before she met her public, she pulled out some blotting papers. Blotting papers? I’d never seen anyone actually use blotting papers before—ends of tee shirts and odd bits of paper napkins are good enough for me. I guess using blotting papers is a Southern thing.



And speaking of which, I was told I have a “cute accent.” HUH? Excuse me, Ms. Daisy Mae—who exactly has an accent around here?

For her blog-readers—how Laurie solved the shoe dilemma. I don’t understand boots in warm weather—but supposedly they were comfy.



Laurie also met her public at a reading. Despite her jitters and the sound reverb, she was great. Another shoe shot—different day-different boots:



As if the above wasn’t enough, there's more.



Look at those knitting divas all in one place!
Debbie Stoller AND Mason-Dixon Kay and Ann AND the Yarn Harlot.

They participated in a workshop for booksellers about what a terrific market knitters are and how to make the bookstores more knitter-friendly.

And the coolest part of this workshop is that not only were Stephanie, Kay and Ann knitting—but people in the audience were knitting also!

And that about wraps it up. I’ve got books to read and socks to knit.

8 comments:

Devorah said...

What a great day! And what a huge stack of "to be reads."

Octopus Knits said...

It sounds like BEA was a lot of fun! Thanks for the "knitting angle" on the trade show.

Unknown said...

Holy moley, that's a pile o' goodies! I wish I could get up close and see all the titles! At least I regognize a few from my own stack at work, so I'm not too jealous... Thanks for the delightful report!

Anonymous said...

Oh. It looks like you had a great time! And how could you miss? Books and knitting and famous knitters. Thanks for the peek.

Cindy G said...

Well, that was very satisfying. Thanks for the report and pictures.

Passionknitly said...

how did I miss you!!??
How did I miss Crazy Aunt Purl!!??

I was also at BEA and def. at the meeting with booksellers!

The DeDe said...

ooooh! You are so cool! The Yarn Harlot twice in six months, those St. Patricks day "green" socks must really have leant you some luck. I'm looking forward to some new book recommendations from that big pile.

Anonymous said...

It was an absolute pleasure meeting you in person!! I am working on that MN thing we spoke of, more to come in email. Nice blotting paper shot! hee.
xo
laurie