Just got back from Dallas where we attended the Christian Book Expo (CBE) on Friday and Saturday. Only 1500 of the expected 15,000 attendees attended it. The cost to get in appeared to be the biggest factor in keeping the anticipated crowds away. Apparently the event organizers did not anticipate that the $20+ ticket price per day would be such a turn-off in this economy.
My sister and I paid $48 to have two-day access to 200+ Christian authors and publishers. We were glad there were no long lines to stand in to meet Max Lucado, Lee Strobel, Susan Meissner and other top selling Christian authors. But then, as an author myself, I couldn't help but feel the disappointment for such a low turnout.
Here's my kids (the blondes) with my niece (tie-dye) flanked by authors Brett and Alex Harris.
My kids -- who all got in free -- were glad to meet the teenage authors of "Do Hard Things," Alex and Brett Harris. And believe me, it was a hard thing to spend our hard earned pennies to travel 700 miles (one way), pay to park, pay for two adults to get in the door, and witness the tragedy of God-loving authors idly drumming their fingers on stacks of unsold books...even though we did our part to buy what we could. But we did the show. And now we're home. And we are no worse for the wear.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
We did hard things
Posted by Lisa at 10:31 AM
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1 comments:
What a blessing millions missed by not being able to attend this Expo. How grand it would have been to be there and be in front of the line to get to speak to as many authors as time allowed. I'm a book reader who wants to cheer all the authors on in their work of writing because I KNOW the Lord has called them to send out His message through their books and stories.
I know God's timing is perfect and I have to wait His time for me to attend one of these: I'm watching for my opportunity (His time) for it to happen.
To all you authors out there that were drumming their fingers: don't lose heart! There are many more readers out there than you can imagine who would cheer you on too if they just knew how. Keep up the good work, keep looking up, and KEEP WRITING YOUR (HIS) STORIES!.
Pam Williams
cepjwms at wb4me dot com
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