NEW YORK 鈥� BookExpo, the publishing industry's annual national convention, has been called off for this year.
The announcement Tuesday by ReedPOP comes after the gathering already had been postponed from May to July because of the coronavirus outbreak. It was to have been held at Manhattan's Jacob Javits Convention, which has been converted to a hospital to help with the virus caseload in New York City. All of the so-called 鈥淏ig Five鈥� publishers 鈥� Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette Book Group and Macmillan 鈥� had said they would not be attending BookExpo or the fan-based BookCon, which was to have immediately followed.
"From our publishers, booksellers and sidelines exhibitors to our authors and librarians to our book loving fans, we know how many people are impacted by this decision and we continue to stand with you all to help bring the book community together and support one another,鈥� BookExpo Event Director Jenny Martin said in a statement. 鈥淲e are now looking forward and can鈥檛 wait to return with a stronger show than ever in 2021.鈥�
The booksellers convention has been held for decades and traditionally draws tens of thousands attendees. Speakers have included Stephen King, Hillary Clinton and Barbra Streisand, among others.
Hillel Italie, The Associated Press
