A book community

Last week, Liza and I attended the Pacific Northwest Booksellers annual tradeshow. It was a vibrant, crowded, well-organized event worthy of participation. I learned the difference between publishers and distributors and watched them rapid-fire pitch several authors’ works to rooms full of bookstore owners and staff. I listened to authors take the microphone ten minutes at a time to more deeply introduce themselves and their book. I met a lot of people and they were all enthusiasts. As my conversations with these people grow, I am realizing that there is a “book community” and that I may be becoming a member of it, more than as the reader I have been.

As a “first timer,” I was “all ears” to orient myself to this changing industry. Beyond the business of it, I didn’t ask the bigger questions that this community begs. That I ask of myself.

Why write a book? Why this book? Aren’t there enough or too many books? The answers would be as varied and unique as the people. And, my guess, “to make money” would be far down the list of answers.

A quick ramble here: are there too many stars; too many trees; too many people (yes); too much air; too much beauty; too much justice; too much hope?… But quantity isn’t the question. Quality is.