Bright lights, tall buildings,
and people bustling about: in the city that never sleeps, a small bison named
Benny left the familiar Great Plains in order to conquer the book publishing
world.

The
idea of sending Benny to New York first came up in early April. The University
of Nebraska Press (UNP) marketeers decided we needed to send a representative
to New York City to promote the Press along with our imprint, Bison Books. Benny
had dreamed of going to New York ever since he was a calf, and finally, here
was his chance.  

Benny traveled
to New York City during the first week in May, to promote UNP’s new Fall titles
to various publications and clients. Benny was a little sad that he would be
missing the lovely Spring weather Nebraska usually has in May. However, as May 1
approached, Nebraska encountered cold temperatures and snow. Benny wasn’t so
reluctant to leave anymore, because the East Coast was being faced with a
forecast of sunshine and heat, which was his favorite kind of weather!

So off Benny
went, flying from one city to the next until he finally landed in the Big
Apple. There was so much he wanted to do and so much he wanted to see! His
first stop was at one of the most well-known spots in NYC, the place where all
tourists go: Times Square.

As Benny headed toward
the center of Manhattan, he saw so many people walking around and so many
lights and signs! Times Square was a bit overwhelming for such a small bison so
eventually he retired to his hotel and got some rest, because, after all, he
was there on a mission for UNP.

Benny stayed in
New York for a total of three days, but the time came and went so quickly, it
was almost a blur. He traveled up and down Manhattan and met with many kind people
at Jewish Review of Books, Wall street Journal, New York Review of Books, Bookforum, and Publishers Weekly.

Benny spent most
of his days in meetings, talking about his passion: books! At night, Benny was
free to roam the streets of New York. One night he even headed to Broadway to
see the hit show Jersey Boys. It was
his first Broadway experience and he enjoyed every minute of it!

The rest of
Benny’s free time consisted of doing the things everyone should do on a first trip
to New York: He visited Museum Row and saw the Guggenheim; he traveled up and
down Fifth Avenue; he ate a hot dog from a street vendor; and he even went to
the famous Carnegie Deli. His only regret was missing a tour of the Statue of
Liberty.

Benny was having
the time of his life. But, like all great things, his trip had to come to an
end. As Benny boarded the plane to head back to Nebraska, the once sunny New
York sky became cloudy and rainy. It was the perfect metaphor for his
reluctance to leave the greatest city in the world. Benny will never forget the
things he learned and the people he talked to on his trip. He hopes to one day
return and once again roam the streets of New York.

-Emily