The new normal is virtual – on line – books fairs. These have proliferated as the pandemic has gone on. I have exhibited at several and shopped at others. There is good news and bad news.

The good: (1) better a virtual fair than no fair; (2) I have met new clients from California, North Carolina and Pennsylvania who I may never have met through the fairs I do in Texas; and I met some new dealers; (3) the cost is less than an in person fair, especially with no travel costs; and (4) no loading many boxes of books.

The bad: of course virtual fairs are nothing like in person book fairs. The size and scope of an in person fair dwarfs what can be exhibited on an online fair, at least in their current state. Seeing the books in person is also quite different, and there is no substitute for holding something in your hand. The primary thing I miss, above all, is not getting to see the people, dealers and customers at the fair. Zoom calls only go so far!

Given we have no choice I will continue to exhibit at the virtual fairs. I even hope they may continue in the future so I can reach customers outside of Texas. The ABBA Boston Book Fair is going virtual this November. If you have not checked out the online fairs, this one will be a good place to start.