PublishersLunch
In the unscientific lexicon of trade show reporting you will tend to find a limited set of standard vernacular for describing fair activity. Regardless of numbers, there's either "busy" or "not busy." This year's London Book Fair has clearly been voted "busy," allaying any speculation that last year's volcanically-challenged show had somehow broken the habit of attendance. As usual, though, the packed first two days have given way to a much quieter third and final day.
The weather was unseasonably lovely up until today, which always helps the collective mood, even if you never actually see the sun shine once inside the Earls Court hall. And as long as it's "busy," those who attend are generally in a positive mood--which is logical, since the more negative folks will tend to stay home. (The above applies mostly to the international rights fairs; BEA is subject to a different type of perpetual doubting.)
But talk to people about their sales rather than their mood, and you hear tales of significant declines in print sales, in both the US and the UK, as well as some other territories. One bittersweet expression we heard from at least a few people in casual conversation was the idea that, "I just need ___ more years...," even as many others discussed the exciting possibilities and unpredictability of these changing times.
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