BookCon returned this year after a seven-year break\u2014and for me, it was a first! With roughly 25,000 attendees, the energy was loud, packed, and buzzing with excitement. But underneath that energy, something felt\u2026 off. Alongside the enthusiasm, there was a noticeable air of frustration and tension. Still, despite the chaotic vibe, it felt great to be around my fellow readers! <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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BookCon was very clearly built around hype and access, with a heavy focus on SFF, romantasy, and romance. And to be fair, if you\u2019re a fan of those genres, the author lineup really delivered\u2014with big names like Emily St. John Mandel, Andy Weir, Rachel Gillig, Chuck Tingle, and Rachel Reid. But even those exciting opportunities felt competitive\u2014I waited nearly an hour in a virtual line for autograph tickets before the event and still didn\u2019t get any. That\u2019s why Indie Alley ended up being such a highlight for me\u2014it felt more relaxed, and I loved picking up indie books and meeting lesser-known authors!
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The biggest issue at BookCon wasn\u2019t just how popular it was\u2014it was how unprepared it felt for that demand. Tickets sold out so quickly the first time that I had to wait for a second drop just to get in. And once I was there, that same problem showed up everywhere: booths with maybe 50\u2013100 ARCs for a crowd of 25,000 meant people were rushing tables, lines were falling apart, and things were getting noticeably aggressive. I even spoke with a fan who had attended BookCon back in 2018 and remembered leaving with dozens of ARCs\u2014this time she described the event as a \u201cmoney grab\u201d and a \u201cglorified book shopping experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Then I saw someone post that one of the limited ARCs was already up on Mercari for $650, which honestly blew my mind\u2014and made me as angry as everyone else. I hadn\u2019t fully realized how much ARCs have turned into currency. It started to feel less about the books and more like a competition, which I know is frustrating for so many people in the industry. More than that, it even felt like some attendees believed they were entitled to free books\u2014something publishers will likely need to address heading into next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But despite the chaos and frustration, it\u2019s clear that book fandom is stronger than ever! And it\u2019s not just about the books anymore\u2014there were Heated Rivalry\u2013themed candles, old-school romance puzzles, fantasy book tea blends, and my personal favorite: gifts for smut fans (see below). There were also some very unique workshops – from a professional illustrator teaching how to create fantasy maps to a live book rebinding demonstration. Very cool!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
BookCon is already set to return next year, and hopefully this first year back was a learning experience for everyone involved and next year will be smoother. I\u2019m definitely planning to attend again. So mark your calendars for the weekend of April 10, 2027 and I\u2019ll see you back at the Javits!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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