Panel beat

What do writer panels or book panels accomplish? Are they a diversion? A key feature at all good literary events (I did read one proposition that using the term 'literary' excluded authors who don't meet the criteria but still sell lots of books. Where do you draw the line?)

I've little doubt that writers festivals and book fairs can do without their presence; they do take up a lot of room as well as distracting from the displays.

If it's a choice whether to have a panel at these public events, I haven't been to enough to compare with/without panel. I've been to events solely because a certain author or even publisher was playing a part so I can vouch for that as a draw card. I think other attendees might be more entertained by the live panel. I'm happy to meet the scribe and maybe get a photo taken. Or see some work that you don't often find even in the specialist shops or large book stores.

This may sound strange coming from someone who was on the high school debating team but I'm not as enthusiastic about the profusion of panel shows on tele as other viewers clearly are. Do I want to trudge through a field for the experience? And, yes, if Garth Ennis or Alan Moore or Neil Gaiman (though I've seen him up on stage) was at the other side it would make a difference to me. Everyone will likely have their own idols or literary giants.

I have a photo with Stan Lee so I'm set. The related field of comics meant more to me growing up in any case.

Do they have panels based round The Tale of Peter Rabbit or on the works or life of a substantial writer such as Jeffrey Archer?
read: man with a substantial readership

or is it always and ever about current authors and immediate bestseller trends? An excuse to hawk wares under the guise of earnest exchange of ideas. One of those sites I've linked to carries an author's thumbs up as far as profile building goes. I can see how, if you're entertaining or incisive in person, people in attendance might want to read your book.

Nor do reservations about the worth of writers panels negate the possible benefit of agent panels, editor panels and publisher panels. We need those guys and its helpful to know how they're thinking.