Gaithersburg Book Festival to Gather Literary Leaders for “State of the Book” Panel Discussion
Posted 3/25/2011

Panelists Will Share Their Unique Perspectives on the Business Behind the Books We Read

Are books a dying medium, or have reports of their demise been greatly exaggerated? What will the rising popularity of e-readers mean for this medium? What does the future hold for the book publishing industry and those seeking publication? These are among the questions that a distinguished group of book industry leaders will answer on May 21 during the 2011 Gaithersburg Book Festival. This thought-provoking panel discussion, titled “The State of the Book,” will bring together a book buyer/seller, literary agent, publisher, editor and journalist to share their unique perspectives on the current condition of the book industry and offer their visions for the future.

Michael Norris, a reporter, editor and analyst for Book Publishing Report, whose parent company is based in Maryland, will moderate “The State of the Book” panel featuring:

• Mark LaFramboise – book buyer and bookseller from Politics & Prose, one of the nation’s most successful and well-known independent bookstores.

• Jed Lyons – publisher of Rowman & Littlefield, the largest greater Washington, D.C.-based book publisher, and CEO of one of the nation’s largest book distribution companies, National Book Network.

• Gail Ross – president and founder of Washington, D.C.’s Ross Yoon Agency, a literary agency that represents a variety of commercial, non-fiction authors in negotiations with publishers and producers for the sales and distribution of literary properties and their video, audio, film and other rights.

• Geoff Shandler –New York City-based editor-in-chief of Little Brown & Company, one of America’s oldest publishers, founded in Boston in 1837.

With so many changes underway in the book business – from new technology that is making literature more accessible to turmoil in the retail market – interest in the state of the industry is higher than ever. This panel presents a unique opportunity to hear industry leaders and opinion makers from different segments of the industry shed light on the world of books. The frank conversations between the panelists will lift the veil off issues often only spoken about quietly behind the scenes. Regardless of your knowledge of the industry, this panel will enlighten Gaithersburg Book Festival attendees about the business end of a world they enjoy—the world of the book.

For more information about the “The State of the Book” panel, featured authors and other programming at the 2011 Gaithersburg Book Festival, please visit www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org.

About the Gaithersburg Book Festival
The Gaithersburg Book Festival is an annual all-day celebration of books, writers, and literary excellence. In just its second year, the Festival is already becoming one of the premier literary events in the Washington region. The 2011 Festival will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2011, on the grounds of Gaithersburg City Hall, with shuttle buses running from nearby Lakeforest Mall.  Activities include appearances, discussions and book signings by national bestselling and award-winning authors as well as local up-and-comers; writing workshops; a Children’s Village; a Coffee House with poets and singers/songwriters; onsite book sales, both new and used; exhibitors and, of course, food, drink, ice cream, and more. Admission, parking, and shuttle bus rides are free. For more information please visit www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org.