Things that matter:

1. Iraq and Afghanistan wars
2. The economy
3. Tell the bitches they all need to be shaving. Damn.

@1 - You see my arm? Check it out, it's kinda crinkled up.

I tend to agree, Paul. And while keeping costs lower for the major publishers by keeping it in NYC is swell and all, this also ignores the fact that NYC is actually a more expensive place to visit than just about anywhere if you don't already live in NY. Chicago or Vegas are way better level playing fields if the goal is to avoid a myopic NYC publicist orgy and actually attract the widest possible base of all arms of the industry. Reed Business doesn't seem to think the publishing world extends beyond NYC anymore, as seen by their recent cancellation of Book Expo Canada, the recent New York Comicon, and the announcement that Vegas and D.C. are off the table for BEA. This is about Reed Business cutting costs to help their own bottom line, even if it results in greater corporate hegemony.

I don't think this has all of the downsides that you imagine. Bookstores don't tend to be open M-F, 9-5. For most of them, the weekends are their busiest time. The mid-week change may actually make it easier to attend. And if publishers are saving money and hosting in their own town, I imagine the booze-soaked wooing of booksellers would only increase. Not to mention the piles and piles of galleys, whch is why most booksellers come, anyway. But yes, NY is a super-expensive town, that is indisputable.

Isn't there a booksellers blog somewhere you guys could go hang out and obsess about this crap?

@ 1: How else do you think a) you'll find out about these issues in the first place, and b) find out about how to solve them? The internet? 'Cause it's soooo factual.

The less diversity in publishers, and independent bookstores means that all you'll be consuming for intellectual fodder is Ann Coulter and Bill O'Reilly.

@5 : It's THE STRANGER blog-- in case you hadn't noticed,the paper has a BOOK SECTION...