As I walked into the Jacob J. Javits Center in New York City on the second day of BookCon 2026, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. The chaos that erupted on the first day had left many attendees feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. But what struck me even more was the stark reminder that the book scene has grown into a larger, more frenzied community.
5 Shocking Moments That Made Us Wonder: Did We Lose the Plot at BookCon 2026?
The Rise of ARCs and the Frenzy They Bring
Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) have long been a staple in the book industry. These free books are given out to reviewers, influencers, and other select individuals to generate buzz and publicity for upcoming titles. However, as the influencer space has grown, so has the importance of ARCs in the fandom. Some publishers have even started numbering their ARCs, allowing them to track down re-sellers if the books fall into the wrong hands.
But the competition for ARCs has gotten fierce. With only a limited number of copies available at conventions, attendees are willing to do just about anything to get their hands on one. I heard from multiple people working booths that they were physically hurt from the mobs of people who were running for ARCs at different times of the day.
One Threads user described the scene as a “queued line then suddenly everyone started running and mobbing the staff, grabbing tickets out of their hands, and pushing past ADA attendees who literally couldn’t enter the mob to get a ticket.” Another user wrote, “There was no way to get a video because I was literally in the middle of a moshpit, but yes. Pushing, pulling, almost punching between people, employees being yelled at and mobbed. it was BAD.”
The Ethics of Re-Selling ARCs
There is a growing debate about whether those who receive ARCs should be able to re-sell them. While there is no law against selling ARCs on secondary sites, it is still considered ethically questionable. After all, ARCs are free books given out for publicity, and they cost money to make.
Some publishers, like Kensington Books, have been tracking down re-sellers. According to Publishers Weekly, BookCon 2026 had 25,000 attendees. However, an ARC drop can sometimes only include 100 books or less. This means that the demand for ARCs far outweighs the supply, leading to a frenzied scramble among attendees.
One book, which had only very minimal copies available at the convention and is still not available to press, industry folks, or influencers, was already on sale on Mercari for $650 less than a day after a convention attendee received it.
The Consequences of a Growing Fandom
As the book scene continues to grow, it’s clear that the traditional rules of the industry are being thrown out the window. With the rise of social media, influencers have become a crucial part of the marketing process. However, this also means that the demand for ARCs has increased exponentially.
According to a study by the Association of American Publishers, the number of self-published titles has increased by 37% since 2014. This proliferation of new titles has led to a crowded market, where authors and publishers are fighting for attention.
As a result, the competition for ARCs has become increasingly fierce. Attendees are willing to do just about anything to get their hands on one, including physical altercations. This is not only damaging to the attendees but also to the authors and publishers who are trying to promote their work.
Practical Solutions to the Problem
So, what can be done to address the problem of ARCs and the frenzy they bring? Here are a few practical solutions:
- Implement a lottery system for ARC distributions. This would ensure that attendees have an equal chance of receiving an ARC, rather than the current system where attendees are forced to physically fight for them.
- Limit the number of ARCs available at conventions. This would reduce the demand for ARCs and prevent the frenzy that ensues when attendees try to get their hands on one.
- Encourage publishers to provide digital ARCs instead of physical ones. This would reduce the cost of producing ARCs and make them more accessible to attendees.
The Future of BookCon and the Book Industry
As BookCon 2026 showed us, the book industry is at a crossroads. With the rise of social media and influencers, the demand for ARCs has increased exponentially. However, this has also led to a frenzied scramble among attendees, which is damaging to the authors, publishers, and attendees themselves.
By implementing practical solutions to the problem of ARCs, we can ensure that the book industry continues to thrive. Whether it’s through a lottery system, limiting the number of ARCs available, or encouraging publishers to provide digital ARCs, there are ways to address the problem without sacrificing the excitement and energy that makes BookCon so special.
Conclusion
As I left the Jacob J. Javits Center on the second day of BookCon 2026, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder. Had we lost the plot at BookCon 2026? The answer is yes, but it’s not a permanent loss. By acknowledging the problem and implementing practical solutions, we can ensure that the book industry continues to thrive and that BookCon remains a celebration of the written word.
Enjoying this post? Get weekly family & home ideas in your inbox — free.
