Although I haven't made it a secret that I'm not thrilled by the NBCC, I will be in the audience at a panel co-sponsored by them tomorrow night in Manhattan:

"Save Our Book Reviews!"
June 13, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen Library
20 West 44th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)

The New York Center for Independent Publishing sent me a few emails about it, and—despite how I feel about critics—print reviews are an extremely valuable source of advertising to the small houses. They don't have scads of money to buy ads in the media or prime retail space in bookstores, and sending out review copies via media mail is inexpensive. If a book manages to win the review lottery, it helps get the sales ball rolling.

In any case, I care about good books enough to want the small, independent guy to continue to have outlets allowing him to compete with the big guy. Plus, M.A. Orthofer of The Complete Review will be on the panel, and I'm curious to get a look at him in person. It should be an interesting evening.