U.S. Book Show Brings Together Authors, Editors, & Industry Voices

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Thursday, 04 May 2023 14:40

Written by Brad Balfour

Combining authors, editors, movers and shakers in the publishing world, the U.S. Book Show is now in it’s third year. Organized by Publishers Weekly, the U.S. Book Show runs May 22 to the 25th as a hybrid event online and at the NYU Kimmel Center (60 Washington Square South). Speakers include the CEO of Barnes & Noble, James Daunt, who will present a keynote on the trials of book selling and the future of Barnes & Noble. 

Each day of the Show has a different focus. Day one is the American Association of Literary Agents presenting a day of in-person educational programming designed for agents, editors, and publishing professionals. John Chrastka, Founder and Executive Director of EveryLibrary, speaks on rampant book bannings while Edward Melton (Executive Director of the Harris County Public Library) looks at post-pandemic digital trends in libraries. Day two looks at the expanding world of graphic novels and comics. Speakers include Jeff Smith (Bone), Mattie Lubchansky (Boys Weekend) and Aidyn Arroyal (Freaking Romance). Day three has alternating tracks of panels focusing on books for adults and YA/Kids, with speakers including Meg Wolitzer (The Female Persuasion) and Candice Iloh (Salt the Water).

“Our goal is for conference attendees to leave with a wealth of practical insights and actionable takeaways that they can leverage to offer their clients the highest level of representation,” said Regina Brooks, AALA vice-president and CEO of Serendipity Literary Agency. “We also envision networking opportunities to foster relationships within the publishing community that will lead to new business and collaborations. We can’t wait to see the impact this experience will have on literary agents’ continued success.”

To learn more, go to: https://usbookshow.com/

U.S. Book Show
May 22 - 25, 2023

NYU Kimmel Center
60 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012

EVs, Back to the Future, & 007 at the New York International Auto Show

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Wednesday, 05 April 2023 15:25

Written by Brad Balfour

Spring is in the air, which means the New York International Auto Show is back yet again. Running April 7th to the 16th at the Jacob Javits Center, the NY International Auto Show is the perennial favorite of gear-heads around the world. The sprawling Auto Show takes up nearly a million square feet of the Javits, spread across four levels with different attractions.  

This year’s installment shows increased focus on Electric Vehicles (EV), with an expanded multi-brand Electric Vehicle Test Track with loads of new vehicles to check out. There will also be an expanded aftermarket car showcase called Never Ride Stock, featuring the biggest names in the specialty equipment industry, the latest custom vehicle trends, and some of the most extreme tuner cars. You’ll be able to see the future of automobiles while also getting a selfie with the Back to the Future Delorean. The Exotics car showcase features concept cars and luxury vehicles from Bentley, Lotus, Lamborghini, and more. The Saratoga Auto Museum will have a special exhibit, Bond In Motion, showcasing cars from the 007 films, along with the Museum’s collection of classic cars. Camp Jeep lets visitors test out the rugged capabilities of Jeep vehicles on a specially designed test track. 

All this and more in the most massive collection of vehicles in the United States.

To learn more, go to: https://www.autoshowny.com/

New York International Auto Show
April 7 - 16, 2023

Jacob Javits Center
429 11th Ave
New York, NY 10001

MoCCA Arts Fest 2023: Comics on the Frontline of Change

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Tuesday, 28 March 2023 15:40

Written by Brad Balfour

The MoCCA Arts Fest (named after the defunct Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art) is Manhattan’s number one convention for independent comic authors, zine scribes, and Risograph fanatics. Running April 1 and 2 at the Metropolitan Pavilion (125 West 18th Street, NY NY), MoCCA Fest brings together the independent voice of comics, from fledgling art school students to long time veterans of comics. This year’s festival will be featuring guests tackling the issues of the day, including the rising tide of right wing censorship, the looming threat of AI, and the representation of queer youth.

Featured guest Maia Kobabe, author of the award-winning and frequently-banned Gender Queer, will answer questions posed by writer Michele Kirichanskaya (Ace Notes) in a special spotlight session. Kobabe will also participate in a very special panel about comics and censorship moderated by PEN America’s Jonathan Friedman, and also including Mike Curato, author of Flamer, and Cathy G. Johnson, author of The Breakaways, who have all been affected by the wave of censorship currently sweeping parts of the United States.

In other spotlight sessions, Barbara Brandon-Croft (Where I’m Coming From) will discuss her life and career as the first Black woman to write and draw a nationally syndicated daily comic strip. Colleen Doran (A Distant Soil) will appear in conversation with Neil Gaiman (Sandman) to discuss her career and their history of collaboration. This event is scheduled in conjunction with the exhibition “Colleen Doran Illustrates Neil Gaiman,” running from March 22nd to July 29th at the Society of Illustrators and curated by scholar Kim Munson, who will also moderate the conversation. Noah Van Sciver will discuss his prolific career in conversation with Gil Roth (Virtual Memories). 

Other guests include Kim Deitch, Drew Friedman, Miriam Katin, Toma Vagner, and Noah Van Sciver. MoCCA Fest also includes panel discussions on independent manga, animation, publishing, and artist spotlights.

To learn more, go to: https://www.moccafest.org/

MoCCA Arts Fest
April 1 - 2, 2023

Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011