I got a Google alert while I was at a soccer match last night – seems that I was mentioned in an interview with soon-to-be Wiley author Chris Brogan where he told the story of how his book with Wiley came to be, and called me “Goddess of Marketing, or some such title”.  While I am incredible flattered to be referred to in such terms, alas, I must live my day to day working existence as a mere Director of Marketing.  It’s a simple title, but someone has to do the job.  He also gave props to my Wiley colleagues Matt, Shannon and Chris.

I have to admit that it doesn’t get tired,  seeing books come to life, from simple hallway discussions at SXSW to a printed book you and feel and touch.  I get as excited as the author sometimes, and with good reason.  It’s thrilling to see someone fulfill a longtime dream and become a published author.  I can’t wait to get one of the first copies of Trust Agents, stolen, of course, from my boss’s inbox.     Even though I have already read my galley copy, I’ll hold off on the review till September when the book is publishing.  Can’t get you too excited too soon, you know.

One of the perks of my job is that every once in a while, you get to go to a really fun publishing related event.  Last month I experienced  just such an event.  It was the launch of Guide to New York City Landmarks, published by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission.  Held at Gracie Mansion, the party was hosted by the gentleman who wrote the foreword to the book, aka Mayor Bloomberg.

First off, if you are a resident of the City or a tourist, I strongly encourage you to take a tour of the Mansion.  It’s a beautiful building, even more so when you consider it’s location on the river smack dab in Manhattan -  it has survived for decades and watched the city grow up around it.

We were among the first to arrive at the event, and after checking in for our name tags and going through the metal detector and x-ray scanning, we entered the building.  The main festivities were held in the ballroom aka the blue room, the same room where Mayor Bloomberg holds his press briefings.  And as it turns out, it was the only room where we were able to take pictures.  Quite the bummer, as later in the evening we were invited to tour the residence portion of the mansion.

"I'm sorry ma'am, no pictures here"

There was a band from Music and Art HS (or whatever they call it now; that’s what they called it back in my day) playing jazz tunes.

The bar was set up next to a lovely Christmas tree, topped by a replica of the mansion itself.

Gracie Mansion tree topper

Simple canapes were passed around, and we certainly availed ourselves of them.  Here’s John, the editor of the book, trying to do his best mayoral impersonation.

"My fellow NYers..."

We also experienced the “Mayor Bloomberg Do Si Do.”  Upon entering the party, we were handed out forms in case we wanted a photo with the Mayor.  I wasn’t sure when these were being done, but about 20 minutes before he was due to address the party, a line started to form out of the Blue Room.  Some thought to not get on the line, because it was too long.  But I had a feeling it would be quick.

And how!  It took about 5 minutes to work our way through the line.  When we got to the room where the Mayor was, we were held at the door as we handed over our card.  We then walked up to the Mayor, who shook our hand while moving us out of the room.  Seconds, I tell you, it took seconds.  We all laughed about the shuffle when we made it out of there.

The Mayor then kicked things off by announcing that we were all here to celebrate an important book.  Of course, he was holding up a copy of Bloomberg by Bloomberg, his own memoir, which was fine with us, because Wiley publishes that one too.  No, it was for the Landmarks book, as he explained, and gave a really nice speech about the Commission and those involved with it and the book.  Then people from the Landmarks commission spoke, and the evening ended.

It was great fun, and certainly a cool thing to be able to brag about share with others.  When my photo with the Mayor arrives, I will be sure to post it here.  It’s got to be funny as I was in motion when it was taken.

More travel is in store for me in July.  BlogHer is the middle of the month, and that’s in San Francisco, thankfully.  Next Saturday, I leave for the Wiley EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) sales meeting.  It’s being held in Malta.  I’m flying through Rome, and on the way home, I’m going to stop and spend 4th of July weekend there.  I’ve never been, and I am quite excited.

I’ve got this fantasy of going with a tiny carry-on, but that’s not going to happen.  I’m probably going to take my small black rolling suitcase and call it a day.

Mr. IT has spent a bit of time in Malta for his prior job with Cunard.  When I asked him what there is to do on Malta, he said something about the sets from “Popeye” which are there.  When I asked what else there was, he reminded me about “Popeye”.  So if anyone has good hints for Malta, please let me know.  I won’t have much free time, but who knows.

Rome, on the other hand, I’m all about.  If you have any suggestions for cheap eats or ways to beat the tourists, bring it.

We’re doing our book display list for Wiley’s BlogHer 08 table right this very moment.  If you are a Wiley author, past, present or future, and are attending, PLEASE let me know so we can make sure your book is there for display.  I usually know all the tech authors who are there, but I am not as in touch with folks on the consumer and business side.  Err on the side of caution either way and make yourself known to me!  Thanks, and look forward to seeing you in San Fran!

It’s one for the books.  Day one at BookExpo was pretty great.  The crowd was just about what we expected, it being LA and a Friday.  I think traffic will be heavier today, but hopefully as manageable as it was yesterday.

We had many, MANY blogtalkradio interviews, and all went smashingly.   There were all great – Mike Robbins, of “Focus on the Good Stuff” was charming and gave a really good interview.  It was very exciting to have David Iglesias sit down and chat as well.   Marsha Collier was a total pro, as always.  Dr. Ruth, celebrating her 80th birthday shortly, also gave a really fun interview.  You can catch all of these at Blogtalkradio.com.

Erin Manning was a total rock star.  She gave a really amazing demo on how to take better pictures, which attracted a crowd of people hanging on her every word.  Seriously, the woman knows how to work a crowd.  I even learned a thing or two from her, and plan on experimenting on IT Boy when I get back. 

I also had many celebrity sightings outside of the Wiley booth.  Slash, Mario Lopez, Barbara Walters, and Jackie Collins were all seen out and about.  I also got a wonderful photo of Marsha with George Hamilton that I will post later.  You’d think she was at Madame Tussauds, but, no, he was real.

The Digital Lifestyle concept has been interesting.  The BTR interviews are going great.  Erin was super, and I love having digital photo frames on the wall to upload pictures that we’re taking real time.  No one is using the laptop for a demo area, so I have been tweeting there, but mostly, it’s not being used.  But it’s giving us a lot of ideas for what to do next year (did I really say next year?)

All in all, I don’t think I have ever worked as hard at a BEA as I did yesterday.  I did find some time to snag a few galleys, including the new Philippa Gregory book (I love me some historical fiction) and will be sharing my ill-gotten gains with my friends when I return home. 

Today, Don Felder and Hugh Hefner will be in the booth.  I predict a madhouse, even if the Girls Next Door don’t show up.  I’m off to day 2 – talk to you on the other side!

The Architecture team at Wiley has just launched a blog in support of Archictural Graphic Standards, the leading reference for those in the design and construction industries. 

It’s an interesting case study in the making.  AGS is currently in it’s 11th edition, and recently celebrated it’s 75th anniversary of publication.  It doesn’t have a single author behind it, but the people in editorial and marketing working on the product wanted to find a way to give it an interactive, online presence.  Hence, the AGS blog, which serves as an aggregator for news stories about graphic standards in architecture. 

I know that I have at least two readers interested in this type of blog (hi Dad!) so if you’re in a building, construction, or design field, check it out. 

The March 2008 issue of “Book Business” is a keeper, at least in these parts.  Not only is our distinguished CEO Will Pesce on the cover, but we also have several Wiley employees quoted in articles inside the publication.  Most notably, again in my world, is Joe Wikert, who is featured in an article on negotiating digital rights with authors.  If you are not fortunate enough to have a subscription to the print version, you can browse it online at their site.