So there were blue state book publishers and red state book publishers present. The left wing book publishers would take our business card, staple it to a notebook and pencil in our mailing address and all relevant information. The right wing? They just scanned our badge into their nifty little machine. There’s a metaphor in there somewhere. Publisher with distinct Scottish accent noted that this year’s BEA was ‘very Hollywood’. Meaning people would come up to his booth, pick up a book and then ask,”So what’s this about?” We found the Lonely Planet booth on Sunday afternoon. 
