Adventures at the York Bookfair

Rob and I have just returned from the PBFA York Book Fair. This January fair is the smaller of the two fairs that the PBFA run in York. This one had a mere 120 or so dealers offering around 400,000 books. We've been to this fair before but only as customers, this time we were exhibiting our own stock at stall number 61.

It was hard work, as we knew it would be, but we benefited from lots of advice before hand from the lovely Heather and Jeff at Peakirk Books as well as from the fair organisers. It was lovely to meet lots of new customers as well as the other dealers. It was also lovely to meet one other book blogger, the writer Martin Edwards from Do You Write Under Your own Name.

Speaking to Martin, it occurred to me that though I often read posts by bloggers about a wonderful bookshop they've been to, or a great library, or even what they've bought from a charity shop, I rarely see posts about book fairs. In fact Martin is one the few people I've seen write about bookfairs (and again today, you can read his review of York). In an age when the economics of selling mean that so many sellers, like myself, can only trade from behind a keyboard, a book fair is great opportunity for buyers to chat to dealers and browse the physical books.

Why do bloggers not go to bookfairs then is the burning question? Have you ever been to one, PBFA or otherwise? Did you enjoy it? Do you know how to find out about book fairs? I'd be interested to know!

On that last question at least I can help:

For PBFA Fairs you can browse the PBFA's fairs calendar. There are fairs coming up at Stratford, Poole, Cambridge, Durham and Edgbaston in the next few weeks and many more throughout the year. They're all over the country including Scotland and Ireland.

For other fairs you can try the monster The Book Fair Calendar from the The Book Guide which lists PBFA fairs along side many other major book fairs plus many smaller independent fairs. There are fairs listed for Lewes, Sherborne, Winchester, Preston, Kinver, Tenterden and Long Melford for this month alone.

As to our own recent experience we nearly sold out of Tony Harrison and Leonard Woolf, and sold lots of Bronte and Ted Hughes items as you'd imagine in Yorkshire, plus lots of William Morris, and best of all we had a great time. We've just got to unpack the book boxes now!

 

Comments

[Martin Edwards]

Great to meet you both! I'm not really sure why book fairs don't feature often in the blogosphere. I've always found them fascinating - it's lovely to be surrounded by old and often rare books, even if the cost of them may be out of reach.

[Juxtabook]

Yes, I've always found them fascinating too. Even before I was a bookseller. It is probably how this bookseller was born!

[Harper]

I just discovered your impressive blog -- via Martin Edwards -- and I will be back! All the best from the banks of the Yough.

[John]

Nick Jones regularly writes about his visits to book fairs and used book stores all over your country. His blog is existentialennui.com. Regarding your assumption that book fairs are for the older generation: Nick is definitely under 60; mid 30s, I'd guess. I have written about my visits to book fairs in the US and I know of three other US book bloggers who regularly do so, too. I'm sure there are many other book bloggers of all ages both in the US and UK who visit and write about book fairs. Just do an internet search...you'll find them! :^)

[Juxtabook]

Hello Harper - thank you for your kind comments. I look forward to seeing you here again.

Hi John - Yes, there were some younger folk passing by my stand at York bookfair but they were definitely in the minority. I was just trying to be a bit evangelical for those who might not have thought to go before! I'm not familiar with Nick Jones blog and will look it up - thank you for the recommendation.