A SPECIAL REPORT: BOOKSELLERS CONVENTION

NAME GAME: Where else but the ABA convention can a bookseller listen to Jimmy Carter and Oriana Fallaci at breakfast, get autographed books by Mary Higgins Clark and Anita Bryant and then listen to Sue Grafton and Ed McBain discuss mystery writing at afternoon tea?. . . . But with the convention closed to the public, do author appearances really help sales? Yes, says Cathy Dages, manager of Brentano’s in South Coast Plaza. “Books are hand-sold and hearing authors makes you more interested.”