By Edward Nawotka

Frankfurt Book Fair attendees

The professional book fairs — Frankfurt, London, BookExpo America, Beijing, Guadalajara, Abu Dhabi and countless others — are a top priority for publishers each year. They offer unique opportunities for publishers to interact with each other, talk shop and make deals. As the self-publishing community grows in importance and influence, should these professional events do more to incorporate self-publishers into the mix? If so, how?

Of course, this raises further questions. For example, if invited, will self-publishers — many of whom are attracted to the low cost of publishing digitally — be willing to invest the time, money and effort it takes to make a strong professional presentation at such events? Finally, will the traditional publishing community balk at their further inclusion?