BookExpo 2017: Day 2 Recap

BookExpo (previously known is BookExpo America) is book industry trade show that will took place May 31, 2017 to June 2, 2017 at the Javits Center in New York City. This is an awesome event to network, to learn about upcoming titles and to immerse yourself in everything bookish. BookExpo is the leading book and author event for the North American publishing industry. I was fortunate enough to attend this year as an educator and blogger. I only attended the expo on June 1st and June 2nd. Check out my recap for Day 1 of BookExpo here.

Day 2 of BookExpo

Selina and I woke up around 7:30, got ready and went to Starbucks for a quick breakfast before gathering all of belongings to bring to Javits. We Ubered to the Javits and checked all of our bags since we plan to head to Penn Station from the Javits in the afternoon. This time we got to the Javits earlier than the previous day and had time to skim through the Show Daily for last minute galley giveaways. I was successful in securing a copy of There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins which was one of the priority books of the day. It was dropped right when the Exhibit Hall opened and I am so glad to be one of the lucky ones to get a copy.

I went to Macmillan to get a ticket for the 10:00 Dan Santat's  signing before heading to Penguin for the 9:30 Celeste Ng signing. Celeste was signing Little Fires Everywhere. Although she is lives locally to where I live, I wanted to meet her for the first time since I wasn't able to attend any of her events when her debut book came out. Her line was fairly long but the wait wasn't too bad. She is so nice too. I was able to chat with her for a bit while she signed my copy.

I went to Macmillan afterwards and stood in line to get a copy of After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again). I was chatting with a librarian behind me who traveled from Virginia for BookExpo. Her sister was also in the city but she was sightseeing. I found out she was planning to head to Boston after the BookExpo on the weekend to visit for a few days. Of course I had to ask what her plans were and gave some suggestions. I love how Macmillan entertained people waiting in line with those cartoon cutouts where you put your head in. We also got After the Fall tote bags too. They are fairly big and have a front pocket.

Afterwards, I went to the Autographing Area to get a copy of You'll Never Know, Dear by Hallie Ephron signed. I met Shelley Michael who wrote All Aboard. Unfortunately, I did not get a ticket for Jan Brett but that's okay since Jan Brett line was super long. The line for Jason Reynolds was too long and apparently Simon & Schuster cut the line fairly early for Long Way Down. Jason Reynolds is pretty amazing. I managed to meet him a couple times at past events. I did manage to stop by to get a copy of The South's Best Butts: Pitmaster Secrets for Southern Barbecue Perfection by Matt Moore. Matt couldn't make it to the signing because his daughter was born the previous day. Congrats to Matt!

I ended up taking a lunch break and went to retrieve my left overs from the previously day from my suitcase after I dropped off my books. I met up with Selina in the food court to relax, eat and to chat for a bit. I had a lot of free time since my next thing on my schedule wasn't until 1:30ish.

MarcyKate signing Shadow Weaver

I went to the Exhibit Hall after eating and just walked around until about 15 minutes before the Shadow Weaver signing at Sourcebooks. MarcyKate Connolly was signing galleys of her upcoming MG fantasy novel called Shadow Weaver. This title is my second priority book of the day. I have met MarcyKate several times and it was nice seeing her again. I wasn't able to meet Kerri Maniscalco in person at BEA because of her signing line being so short. I was hoping to see her on the floor between signings but no avail. I have a copy of her upcoming book, Hunting Prince Dracula, and I didn't want to take time away from those who want to get an ARC signed. Kerri will be attending the Boston Teen Author Festival in September so I will definitely have a chance to chat with her then.

I probably stood in line to see Anna-Marie McLemore for awhile. That line was fairly long but I wanted to say hi and also to obtain a copy of Wild Beauty. I was surprised Anna-Marie said I looked familiar and asked if we met up sometime in the past. We did meet for the first time last year at ALA Midwinter in Boston. Crazy how she vaguely remembered me. She is too sweet and I love how she signed galleys with a teal sharpie!

Julie Dao signing Forest of a Thousand Lanterns

The next and last thing I did for the day was to meet Julie Dao who wrote Forest of a Thousand Lanterns! That's my last priority for the day and every minute waiting was worth it! Marci, Ashley and I didn't have to wait too long. Julie is oh so nice! She remembered me on twitter and we chatted about the upcoming title and I mentioned about how Melody kept raving about the book.

Selina had one more signing while I retrieved my bags and reorganized my books in my luggage. I
met up with Selina and after she got her bags and we Ubered to Penn Station for our train that was departing around 4:40ish. We got there at 4:00 to give us time to get food and do a bathroom trip. Unfortunately, our train was delayed an hour or so so we chilled in the waiting room the whole entire time. I couldn't wait to arrive at South Station in Boston. I felt like the trip home took forever. Selina and I hugged and said our farewells before I took the silver line to the airport where by boyfriend picked me up to head home.

Overall, BookExpo and NYC was a memorable trip even though Selina and I were only there for about 50 hours. I thought it might be my last trip to BookExpo but I might end up going next year since it will be in NYC once again. Some of my favorite moments including new people in lines and chatting with them and having mini chats with Emma from Miss Print and Nicole from The Bookbandit Blog. I am glad I was able to see Emma and Nicole at least a couple times during BookExpo even though it was for a short time.

BookExpo 2017: Day 1 Recap

BookExpo (previously known is BookExpo America) is book industry trade show that will took place May 31, 2017 to June 2, 2017 at the Javits Center in New York City. This is an awesome event to network, to learn about upcoming titles and to immerse yourself in everything bookish. BookExpo is the leading book and author event for the North American publishing industry. I was fortunate enough to attend this year as an educator and blogger. I only attended the expo on June 1st and June 2nd.

Off to NYC

BookExpo went by so fast but I had so much fun meeting people and reuniting with friends. On Wednesday, May 31st, Selina and I met up at South Station and took the Amtrak to Penn Station. The trip felt fairly quick. After we arrived at Penn Station, we ended up Ubering to the Javits Center to pick up our badges and then headed to our Airbnb. I got to see the Warcross banner go up when I was wandering around the Javits for a bit which was pretty awesome.

I totally forgot how small NYC apartments are but it was doable for our needs for the next couple of nights. Our Airbnb host was super nice and her apartment was located in a good location of Hell's Kitchen. It was very convenient to get around the city. We ended up getting some Italian food at 44 Southwest Ristorante & Bar near by the apartment and I ended up picking up a milk tea at the Vivi Bubble Tea shop. Both of us were excited about the first day of BookExpo and unfortunately for me, I didn't really get much sleep.

Day 1 of BookExpo

Selina and I woke up around 7:15-7:30 and went to a diner down the street for some breakfast. We didn't get to the Javits until a bit after 9:00. I believe we were on the floor by 9:04 and it's nuts how most of the galley giveaways were gone in minutes. We unfortunately didn't get anything in the morning and we decided to focus on our signings for the AM. I ended up going to Macmillan to get a ticket for the Katherine Applegate Wishtree signing at 10:00. I love how Macmillan paired up with First Book to give a book per wish initiative. For every wish written on a paper leaf sticky, a book is donated to a child.

After that I went do a quick round of the show floor to familiar myself with my surroundings before heading to the Autographing Area for the Margarita Engle and Mike Curato signing. It was so nice to see Mike again and he let me page through his upcoming Little Elliot book, Little Elliot, Fall Friends, while he signed my copy of All the Way to Havana. Everyone also got a Little Elliot signed print.

I proceeded to HarperCollins for a drop of Hiddensee by Gregory Maguire. The novel sounds interesting and it's a retelling of the Nutcracker. Some how I found Marci from The Plot Bunny wandering around the exhibit hall and I met her friend Ashley from The Tattered Page. We ended up chatting for a bit before heading to Macmillan for a galley drop for Girls Made of Snow and Glass. Then we proceeded to Bloomsbury for a drop of The Unicorn Quest: The Whisper in the Stone. Afterwards, the three of us went to the Rules of Magic signing line to meet Alice Hoffman at Simon & Schuster. I was so excited to meet Alice and the Rules of Magic is one of my most anticipated books to get for Thursday. The novel is the prequel to Practical Magic.

The Warcross line was super long but so worth it! The Penguin Random House are was swamped with people but I know Warcross is on a lot of people's TBR list. Disney was having a drop of The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken which is MG novel. Marci, Ashley and I were able to get a copy. I had a quick lunch afterwards before heading toward HarperCollins for a drop of They Both Die at the End. It was interesting that the drop was during the same time as Adam Silvera's signing of the very same title. Since I've seen Adam so many times before and he will be at the Boston Teen Author Festival in Cambridge, MA in the fall, I didn't need to be in the signing line. I heard the signing was quite lengthy and some people couldn't meet Adam.

After the drop, I went to the Autographing Area to meet Rossella Rago and to get a finished copy of Cooking with Nonna. I cannot wait to try these fantastic Italian recipes at home. One of the adult fiction novels on my list was The Twelve-Mile Straight. I couldn't wait to meet Eleanor Henderson and she was super nice. I was excited that she recognized me from Twitter. Next on the list is Ringer by Lauren Oliver. I am looking forward to reading this sequel in the Replica series. Also, It's nice to see Lauren again. I had my ARC personalized to Elizabeth and Lauren told me how her sister got named after Elizabeth Bennet and how she got named after a neighbor. Lauren is always a pleasure to chat with.

I stopped by Sourcebooks for a drop of The List by Patricia Forde and totally forgot that Tamara Ireland Stone was signing Click'd at Disney. I had to meet Tamara since I loved Every Last Word and I definitely wanted to tell her how much I liked the book. I succeeded and was able to see her at 2:50. I can't believe I almost missed the chance to meet Tamara! 

Bloomsbury had a drop of Reign the Earth at 3:00 so when I was waiting in line for the Meg Kassel signing, I was able to get a copy. Entangled Teen had a booth for the first time at BookExpo and I was excited that Meg Kassel was going to be signing copies of Black Bird of the Gallows. This book has been on my TBR list for quite sometime and I wasn't sure if it was ever going to be published since it was dropped from Egmont when Egmont closed. I am so happy Entangled Teen picked it up! Meg is such a sweetheart too. She was definitely enthusiastic to be at BookExpo and I don't blame her :).

My last thing of the day was the pick up a cocktail and a finished copy of The Wildcrafted Cocktail. I have to say that the drink was delicious and very smooth. Cheers to the end of the first day of BookExpo!

I went to get my bag and met up with Selina. We caught an Uber back to the apartment and then we took a nap for an hour or so before we headed out for dinner. Selina and I met up with Josh, one of the MISTI-Con staff members who also happens to be Selina's friend. We ended up eating at Southern Hospitality BBQ for some pulled pork sandwiches. Selina wanted some Pink Berry so she got some froyo afterwards. Let's say we spent a good amount of time talking about the MISTI-Con that occurred last month and we came up with some ideas for MISTI-Con 2019. I can't wait for the next MISTI-Con!

After a long day, we got some sleep for the next day, which happens to be our last day in NYC. We had to make sure all our bags were pretty much packed before hitting the hay.

BEA 2015 Recap Part II

If you missed out my first BEA 2015 recap, check it out here.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Selina and I both got up around 6:15 to get ready in the morning. We had breakfast at the hotel again before walking to the Javits. Of course we picked up the Show Daily and checked in our bags. Selina had the Adult Author's Breakfast so I ended up meeting Marci and Vania from Reading in the Tardis near Starbucks. Marci was super excited about the Eterna Files that I was able to get signed for her. I also gave Marci a few tickets for the Autographing Area. The three of us ended up looking through the Show Daily to plan out the day. It was nice meeting Marci and Vania since they live in Massachusetts. I met Marci on Goodreads through the BEA group and I find it amusing how we have a lot of mutual friends who have a huge love for Harry Potter. I swear, Harry Potter unites me with the best people ever.

We ended up heading upstairs to line up for the Exhibit Hall. My first stop was Scholastic to look for the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone illustrated version sampler which I managed to get right around 9:00. Yes, it's only a sampler but it's freaking Harry Potter! So of course I had to get it because it's gorgeous! I cannot wait for the finished copy to be out in October. How fitting for my October festivities?

The sampler is in full color and includes the Keeper of the Keys chapter complete with beautiful illustrations. This is just a sneak peak of the book but I want the book more after reading the sampler. Seriously, I cannot say no to more Harry Potter books. I do not collect all editions of Harry Potter like some others do. I pick and choose what editions I want to own because the costs add up. Also, I spend a good amount of my money investing into Harry Potter events. I love creating memories infused with the magic of Harry Potter. Selina and I actually met through MISTI-Con 2013 before we became BEA buddies. Harry Potter will never let me down! It encourages me to move forward and to experience the magic!

Right after hitting up Scholastic, I went to the Autographing Area to line up for Josephine Angelini's signing of Firewalker. I enjoyed Trial by Fire so I had to get my hands on Firewalker. Also, I wasn't able to meet Josephine last year so she was on my list of authors to meet this year. Waiting in the unofficial line paid off since I was near the front of the signing line and I was able to hop into two more lines right after I met Josephine. In a matter of 15 minutes, I met Josphine, Mary Kubica and A.S. King. I was so excited to meet Mary because it freed up my time for later in the afternoon and Pretty Baby sounds pretty amazing. I met A.S. King before but I wanted to see her again and to get I Crawl Through It.

I would say at least half the books I obtained this day were signed. I was able to pick up a couple of picture books, both signed at the Autographing Area. I was a little bummed that the line was so long for Jesse Eisenberg even with a ticket but there were so many other things I wanted to do on Thursday so it wasn't a huge deal. I was able to get my hands on a Shadowhunters tote bag as well as a sampler of Lady Midnight! I seriously cannot wait until Lady Midnight is released next March. I was so happy to get my hands on Infinite in Between and to meet Carolyn Mackler! This is one of my top things on my schedule and I was very happy the line was fairly short. Sometime afterwards, I went to line up for the drop of Simon Thorn and the Wolf's Den at Bloomsbury. I was very excited about this title even though it's middle grade.

The 2 o'clock hour was the most intense hour ever. I had three things going on at the same time and somehow I managed to make it to all three. I went to Penguin Random House right after the Bloomsbury stop and asked when I can line up to meet C. Alexander London. A publicist told me to go to the information desk in the center of the booth and that person told me to see another publicist at the first table I went to. Finally, I got information where I can line up. I was the first in line and I actually kind of felt bad because by the time the signing started, only six people were in line for the signing. Half the line included me, Vania and Marci. However, it was lovely to see Alex again. I meet him last year at BEA for a Guardian signing and now I was able to chat with him about his upcoming middle grade book, The Wild Ones, which is reminiscent of The Redwall series. Penguin even snapped a picture of Alex giving me my copy of The Wild Ones which I don't recall happening but it's on Twitter so it definitely happened. Now I am scared to see what other random pictures of me are floating on the internet.

Going "wild" at @ca_london's #BEA15 signing of #TheWildOnes! pic.twitter.com/vBU66G0BeG

— PenguinTeen (@PenguinTeen) May 28, 2015

Right after the signing, I went to Disney to pick up a cupcake, a Magnus Chase foam shield and a Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, The Sword of Summer sampler. The shield definitely doubles up as a butt pad and I also used it in my pillowcase to firm up the super soft pillows at the hotel when I was sleeping at night. I made a dash to HarperCollins to meet Soman Chainani for a signed poster of The Last Ever After and I also picked up an Ever button. I was surprised his line was so short.  I guess you can say the 2 o'clock hour was the Middle Grade hour.

Can I say that the Libba Bray line was super long? It pretty much wrapped along the front entrance of the Exhibit Hall. I was able to meet Melissa G. there who is a friend of Molly's. Nicole was there as well and I believe Nicole was holding Emma's spot since Emma was in another signing line at the time. I had to bail on the Libba Bray line because not only was it ticketed but the line was never-ending. Sometime in the afternoon, I also bumped into Kim from Book Munchies.

I ended up meeting up with Melissa and Elizabeth at the Bloggers/Authors meet up and was introduced to a few authors and bloggers. I was fortunate enough to meet up with Xander from Forever Bookish who is a huge Harry Potter fan as well. We connected on Twitter not too long ago and I was excited to finally meet him in person. We wandered around the Exhibit Hall sometime after Melissa and I went to line up for the After Alice drop at HarperCollins. I picked up a copy of A Little in Love right when I was waiting since Scholastic's booth was in the next aisle over from HarperCollin's.


I met up with Selina afterwards and we ended up checking out our luggage before walking back to the hotel. We cooked up some french toast and eggs for dinner before I ended up heading toward The New Yorker to meet up with Marci. Marci and I went to the restaurant there to meet up with Liza Wiemer which was nice because both of us were super excited to meet Liza and we were both excited about her debut novel, Hello? Day 2 was a success!

Marci, Liza and I at The New Yorker

BEA 2015 Recap Part I

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

So after five days of Harry Potter fun, I headed to New York City and met up with Selina to enjoy a week of everything bookish. I took an Amtrak train from South Station late morning on Tuesday and arrived into the city around 3:20ish. The hotel was about 6 or so blocks from Penn Station and I met up with Selina at the hotel. We ended up going to a local market around the corner and made a nice pasta dinner with salad with bread and butter.

I was running a bit late for the Jenny Han's P.S. I Still Love You Release party but I did attend. I was fine navigating the subway but once I got off the subway, I was walking toward the wrong direction. It took me awhile to find where Powerhouse Arena is located but I made it! I purchased two copies of P.S. I Still Love You, one for me and one for Elizabeth from Book YAbber and Novelty Podcast. I met up with Emma from Miss Print upstairs along with my OTSPSecretSister aka Nicole from The Book Bandit. Can I say that Nicole is the best secret sister ever? I always look forward to her cute notes and well picked out surprises. I was super excited to meet Emma and Nicole since I've been talking to them on Twitter for quite some while. I met up with Melissa from Novelty Podcast who introduced me to Britt from Please Feed the Bookworm.

Jenny Han's Release Party!

The release party was quite epic. There was a makeover area, a nail area, photo shoot area where you can "sit" in Lara Jean's room and of course the signing with Jenny Han. Since I arrived late, I received an orange ticket. Groups were called up by ticket color in order to minimize the craziness. When my ticket was called, I went to stand in the signing line. I finally got to meet Jenny and it was pretty epic! Jenny said I looked familiar and then remembered my name. It totally made my day. I was able to get a picture with Jenny after she signed my copy of To All the Boys I've Loved Before, P.S. I Still Love You and My True Love Gave to Me. I had her personalize and sign a copy of P.S. I Still Love You for my friend Elizabeth as a super early birthday present. Let's say that Elizabeth was super happy about this!

Thanks Melissa for taking this photo!

Melissa and I were able to get our photos taken at the photo booth. Of course I blinked in my copy of the photo and Melissa half blinked in her copy. Emma, Nicole and I ended up walking back to get the train and I ended up planning Wednesday's schedule with Selina before heading to bed.

Melissa and I at release party's photo booth

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Let's say that Selina and I woke up around 9:00-10:00 since the Exhibit Hall at the Javits wasn't opening until 1:00. This is the only day we were able to sleep in and we took advantage of it. Selina and I had breakfast at the hotel before walking to the Javits. Let's just say that our hotel is less than a 15 minute walk and I already heard stories about the shuttle running late. Some people I knew on Twitter tweeted that they were waiting 30-60 minutes for the shuttle. Selina checked in her bag before we picked up the Publisher's Weekly Show Daily. I didn't bring a bag because it was a half day and I planned to share Selina's bag. There were so many things in the Show Daily that I had to revamp my Wednesday schedule. We didn't line up until 12:50ish. We didn't plan to line up for Truthwitch was a plus for us since we were able to hit more booths instead of waiting in the crazy line.

The Exhibit Hall in the morning

I thought Wednesday was going to be my calmest day. I only had two things on my list that I had to do. I wanted to make it to the drop for Tonight the Streets Are Ours by Leila Sales and I wanted to meet Mike Curato for an in-booth signing of Little Elliot, Big Family. Meeting Mike was a must for me since I missed the chance to meet him last year at BEA. Little did I know that there were tons of drops on Wednesday. I picked up galley drop schedules at most of the publishers that I was interested in. These schedules were major lifesavers. I believe I picked up the most ARCs this day and it also freed up my schedule for Thursday and Friday. I wanted to spend more time in the Autographing Area on Thursday and Friday so I definitely took advantage of the scheduled drops, primarily HarperCollins drops and maybe one Penguin drop.

I believe I went to two ticketed signings in the Autographing Area but I caught the end tails of both lines in order to maximize my time on the floor. I was fortunate to pick up a galley of The Copper Gauntlet. Britt and I were asking Scholastic if they had more copies in the back. I am surprised there wasn't a line this year. I remember I had to wait at least 20 minutes for The Iron Trial drop last year. I picked up a copy of Illuminae for my friend Molly from Cherry Blossoms & Maple Syrup before attending more of the scheduled events. I was fortunate enough to meet Margie from Bumbles and Fairy-Tales very briefly when I was waiting in the Tonight the Streets Are Ours drop line. I love her little bee Moo business cards. They are so adorable! I also met Dana from Dana Square in the same drop line was well. It's so nice to meet people in person.

Meeting Mike Curato was pretty awesome. I got a ticket at Macmillan 30 minutes prior to the signing and of course I got number three! Elizabeth and I were able to take a picture with Elliot and his big family when we waited in the Mike Curato line. It was such a cute way to get fans excited about the new book while we waited. I was super excited when Mike recognized me. I usually chat with him on Twitter and I am constantly retweeting many of his tweets. Little Elliot is super special to me not only because Little Elliot is an elephant but he reminds me of Olivia the pig and Olivia is super important to me during my high school years.

Elizabeth and I joined Little Elliot's family. Photo credit: Elizabeth and Devin

My calmest day of the week became pretty hectic and probably the busiest. I don't recall all the times of the drops but I know I went to at least 3-4 drops which had more than one book being dropped at the same time. I am pretty sure I left the Javits after the Eterna Files signing and ended up meeting Selina back at the hotel. Four hours of craziness was pretty productive. Selina and I made grilled cheese sandwiches and pasta salad before we headed to check out Carlo's Bake Shop in Times Square. After we got back to the hotel, we ended up eating dessert and started planning for Thursday.

This is how I felt on Wednesday. Thank you Selina for picking this up!

BEA Tips (Part Six): How to Work the Lines

BEA is a few weeks away and I know everyone is getting anxious. It's exciting and there are so many things to plan out. You should be expecting different types of lines at the Javits for BEA.

If you missed part 1,  part 2,  part 3,  part 4 or part 5 of my BEA series, make sure to check the previous posts out.

Tip # 1: Autographing Area 

Meeting an author is always a wonderful experience. Even though you have only a couple short minutes with the author, it's pretty awesome. The Autographing Area can get a bet hectic sometimes. If there's an author that you are dying to meet and somewhat popular, I highly suggest waiting in line 1 to 1.5 hours prior to the signing. The lines get long pretty quickly. Most authors will be signing ARCs and finished copies that just came out.

If the author is a ticketed author, you must have a ticket. Usually these authors are quite popular. These tickets can be obtained either at 7:00 in the morning at the Javits or you can receive 10 preselected tickets with your badge if you purchased the Avid Reader Pass. If you plan to use the Front of the Line pass, you must have both the ticket and the Front of the Line pass.

The Front of the Line pass can be used on non-ticketed authors too. Just show your ticket to a BEA staff member and indicate what author you want to use the pass for. The good thing about the Avid Reader Pass and the Reader Pass is that you already donated for the ARCs you are planning to get signed. BEA recommends attendees to donate a dollar per book they get signed at the Autographing Area. ARCs are more expensive to print than finished copies due to the small amount being printed. There is a donation box at the Autographing Area for you to donate money if you did not purchase one of the reader passes.

This year the Autographing Area is located on the far right of the Exhibit Hall. It will be further away from the major publishing booths. This is something you might want to consider when you are making your schedules for signings, panels and galley drops.

Check out the 2015 Autographing Area author signing list.

Tip # 2: In-booth autographing

Sometimes author signings will occur at a publisher's booth. These signings also require lines ahead of time and are a bit tricky. You cannot block booths and aisles so you will see lines wrapping around several booths. It's best to ask where the line starts and ends so you know where line up. I remember lining up at least 1.5 hours ahead of time for the Harlequin Teen hour last year. It was a long wait but I was able to meet 5 authors in one go. Some in-booth signings are ticketed. You will need to obtain tickets earlier on the day of the signing. If you have a ticket, you will be allowed to join the signing line later in the day.

Check out the 2015 in-booth author signing list.

Tip # 3: Galley drops

ARC/galley drops are quite popular at BEA. There are two types of drops. There are drops where the ARCs are places in stacks on the floor and attendees can pick up an ARC from the pile at a certain time and go to their next destination. However, some publishers will have lines for certain drops. You will need to line up ahead of time and an employee of the publisher will hand you the ARC. When the Exhibit Hall opens, usually the first come, first serve grab and go method occurs. The lines for galley drops happen throughout the day.

One tip is to visit the publishers you are interested in and pick up a galley drop schedule in the morning. The schedule will list what ARCs will be dropped and at what time. This will help you plan accordingly for the rest of the day. Some publishers will list the ARCs and times for that particular day only and you will have to visit the booth each day for the schedule. Other publishers will have three days worth of drops on one schedule.

Publisher Weekly posts some information regarding galleys being available at BEA. This will help you create a schedule beforehand. Some publishers will release their drop schedules ahead of time on their websites. However, there are times where drops occur randomly and do not follow a schedule. This is where being at the right place at the right time comes in handy.

Check out Publisher Weekly's  2015 children galleys to grab.
Check out Publisher Weekly's 2015 adult galleys to grab.

Tip # 4: Swag drops

ARCs aren't the only things being dropped at BEA. You will find a good variety of swag being dropped. I have accumulated coveted tote bags, buttons, hats, t-shirts and etc. at publishers' booths. Some booths will even have food related item to promote a certain book. Kiera Cass had chocolate covered Oreos (some bride and some groom) to promote her book The One. Disney-Hyperion had some kind of frozen hot chocolate or something of that sort to promote John Rocco's picture book, Blizzard. I was also able to pick up a red beanie hat that said Blizzard on the front and had a white pom pom on top.

Tip # 5: Panels

I know it is easy to get swept away with the ARCs, swag and the autographing but make sure you attend at least one panel at BEA. Not only do you get to sit down and rest your feet and shoulders, you will enjoy authors and other industry people talk about upcoming books, trends, etc. Some panels are geared toward certain interests. I always find it fun to hear what my favorite author has to say about certain topics or just to hear them talk about their latest book. I also love finding out more about upcoming trends. As an educator, I love attending panels geared toward children's literacy in schools. I used to work in magazine and academic book publishing and I often find panels about the publishing industry quite fascinating. The line for the panels are not horrible but if there's a panel you must attend, I suggest lining up early to get a good seat. Some panels will take place on main stages in the Exhibit Hall and some of the smaller panels will take place in the basement of the Javits.

BEA Tips (Part Five): Etiquette

Remember, BEA is a trade industry event. Etiquette is super important especially when a huge crowd of people are in such a small space. You want to be polite, courteous and patient.

If you missed part 1,  part 2,  part 3  or part 4 of my BEA series, make sure to check the previous posts out.

Tip # 1:  Don't take everything that is handed to you. Take books you know you will read.

At first you will be overwhelmed with all the free stuff you can take. But think about it, how are you going to bring all of that stuff home. Are you going to read the book? Or are you just taking it because it's free? Prioritizing what books you want ahead of time will help alleviate some of the stress. However, sometimes you might stumble upon a book you were not aware of prior to BEA but definitely are interested in reading said book. Just don't be too grabby. You want make sure there are plenty of ARCs for everyone. Be selective!

This year I am limiting myself to books that I am super excited about reading. Not only will my bags be lighter but I will have a small but amazing collection of books that I know I will read instead a big pile of books that I might read.

Tip # 2: Chat with other BEA Attendees

Waiting in a line? It doesn't hurt to meet other book loving people! They don't bite! Who knows, you might meet a new friend. You never know who you will meet at BEA. Be open minded. Also, if you are unsure what a line is for, ask a fellow person in the line. I am sure they are more than willing to let you know what the line is for. Same goes for if someone picked up an ARC or tote bag you are dying to have. Ask nicely. Everyone at BEA is super helpful.

Tip # 3: Be patient. Be respectful.

I understand that it will get crowded at the Javits but there is no reason why you need to push and shove people. This is not the Hunger Games. ARCs are not weapons and supplies at the cornucopia.  Please be patient and treat everyone with respect. Remember, this is an industry trade event. Publishers are working at the booths and many meetings are taking place at BEA. If you meetup with someone at BEA, please do not block the aisles. Please stand on the sidelines or find somewhere to sit down to chit chat.

Tip # 4: Recognize the staff for what they do.

The BEA staff is doing everything they can run the expo as smooth as possible. Things happen and most often it is not the fault of  the person that you talk to. Do not blame and point fingers at a staff member. They are trying to do everything they can. Make sure to be courteous. I am sure they will try to help as much as they can or refer you to someone that you address your problem or concern.

Tip # 5: Stay calm and collected. 

Take a breath and take one step at a time. Do not stress out. BEA is a fun social event to network with others and to discover new authors and books. Do not get upset because you meet a certain author or obtain a certain book. It is not the end of the world. You can always pick up the book at a later time via library or through purchasing it at the bookstore. I am sure authors will be visiting your home state so take advantage of those events.

BEA Tips (Part Four): BEA Essentials

 

BEA is around the corner in no time and you might be wondering what to pack for the trip and also what should you have prepared before the first day of the expo.

If you missed part 1,  part 2 or part 3 of my BEA series, make sure to check the previous posts out.

Tip # 1: Comfortable shoes

No matter what shoes you pack, your feet are going to be aching. I am not joking. I wore a very comfy pair of flats and my feet were aching by the end of the day. Do not wear new shoes to BEA! Seriously, just don't do it. Make sure you bring shoes that you know are comfortable for long hours of walking. I also put insoles into my shoes which helps a lot! During the day, make sure you sit down once in awhile to rest your feet and to rest your arms and shoulders. 

Tip #2: A Sturdy all-around bag

I didn't bring a purse to BEA last year but I did bring a tote bag which carried my essentials such as a small pouch that acted as my wallet, a bottle of water, a gallon size Ziplock bag (containing business cards, a pen, highlighters, my schedule, a map of NYC), snacks, lip balm, phone and a portable charger. There is no need to bring a bunch of tote bags to the Exhibit Hall. Publishers will be handing out tote bags like it's no tomorrow but it is nice to have a tote to start with when the Exhibit Hall opens. The great thing about all the free tote bags is that you will find favorites which you will use everyday to haul your books. The big flat bottomed ones are my favorites. If they have pockets, even better.

Tip #3: Rolling luggage

In a previous post, I mentioned you can check in rolling luggage for $3.00 per luggage at specified bag check areas at the Javits. Rolling luggage is not permitted in the Exhibit Hall. When you have filled your tote bags with ARCs or if your shoulders are killing you from all the ARCs you are carrying, it's time to swap out those ARCs into your suitcase. Definitely make several ARC drops. Your shoulders will thank you. Keep bottles of water in your suitcase. When you make an ARC drop, swap ARCs for water. This will help alleviate excess weight on your shoulders throughout the day and you will still stay hydrated. You can also bring a refillable water bottle and refill the bottle at water fountains.

Tip #4: Schedule

Make a schedule prior to BEA. There is also a BEA Show Planner app you can use on your smartphone. However, mobile reception at the Javits can be spotty at times. I opt for a print out schedule. Last year I made a spreadsheet and color coded it with different signings, panels, galley drops, etc. There will be times where events overlap and you will need to prioritize. Another good tip is to be flexible with your schedule. Every day a Show Daily is released with information about the publishing industry and BEA. Sometimes there will be information about a signing or a galley drop that was not mentioned on the BEA website previously. I like to write in last minute events in the margins of my schedule. Also, publisher booths sometimes will have galley drop schedules which are super helpful. Not all ARCs have specified drop times. Some are random and it's one of those be at the right place at the right time kind of deal.

Tip #5: Portable battery

If you plan to attend BEA or any event at the Javits, you need one of these babies. The Javits will drain your battery dry if you don't have a portable battery to juice up your smartphone. If you plan to follow Twitter, text and/or call up your friends to meet up, a portable battery is a life saver.

Tip #6: Clothing layers

The weather at the end of May can vary. Sometimes it can be super hot but sometimes there is a nice breeze. However, the Javits is always cold with the AC blasting. I highly recommend bringing a cardigan or light jacket for wearing inside the Javits. You will be fine with short sleeves outside.

Tip #7: The 5-2-1 Rule 

I have been to several conventions and expos and this is the what I follow to be physically and mentally happy. I understand that there are a lot of things that you want to see and do but it is important to take care of yourself first.

The rule of thumb for the 5-2-1 is the following:

1. Get a minimum of 5 hours of sleep per day.
2. Eat at least 2 real meals per day.
3. Take at least 1 shower per day.

If you want to sleep more, eat more real meals and shower more than once a day, then do it! This is just a minimum framework to follow.

BEA Tips (Part Three): What to Expect

So you're at the Javits and what now? I've only been to the Javits twice in my life. I've been there in 2012 for New York Comic Con and for BEA in 2014. Below are some tips based on what I've learned last year when I was at BEA.

If you missed part 1 or part 2 of my BEA series, make sure to check the previous posts out.

Tip #1: Pickup badges early

It is wise to have your badge ready in tow before the day of BEA. Not only will you already have your badge before the exhibit and panels open, you will also be picking up your badge when there aren't a ton of people around. Picking you badge up early means shorter lines. 

Tip #2 Arrive to Javits early 

Even if you picked up you badge ahead of time, it is wise to arrive to the Javits early. Lines for the Exhibit Hall form usually about two hours prior to the opening. Many attendees will sit on the floor chatting with their neighbors and ultimately revising their schedule for the day. This is a good time to veg out on some food, use the restroom, pick up author tickets, etc.

Tip #3: Luggage check in

Rolling luggage and carts are not allowed in the Exhibit Hall. However, there are three areas where you can check in your luggage for about $3.00 per luggage. This makes it easy to make ARC drops throughout the day. This is definitely a life saver. Walking around with tote bags full of books definitely hurt the arms and shoulders. Your body will thank you for the multiple luggage visits.

Tip #4: Food and drink

Don't forget you need to eat and hydrate. One tip is to store water bottles in your luggage. Between ARC drops, you can take out a bottle of water and empty out your tote bags full of books. This way you don't have to lug the bottles around.

Bring snacks to munch on whether it be granola bars or an apple. Depending on your schedule, you might not be able to eat lunch at a reasonable time but you want to make sure you are not starving. Depriving yourself of food and drink is not a good idea. When time allows, make sure to eat a real meal.

Tip #5: Shipping

Depending on your mode of transportation, you might want to consider how you are going to transport your books from the Javits to your house. Some people will pack all of their books in suitcases. Some will bring some of their coveted ARCs in their suitcase and will ship the rest home.

For those who decide to ship their books home, there is a shipping area at the Javits but the price is quite high. The boxes are unsupervised so if you have a coveted signed ARC, just be careful if you decide to do an ARC drop at the shipping area. I would definitely keep that coveted ARC on you in a tote bag.

You can also opt for USPS, FedEx or UPS for shipping. Just a FYI, be careful when shipping books home. Make sure you package the box well and tape it up well. I have heard horror stories about packages being lost in the mail or packages being damaged. Ship at your own risk.

Tip #6: Restroom breaks

I often venture to restrooms in areas away from big halls. The lines are shorter and you'll be in and out of the restrooms super quick. One of the last things you want to worry about is waiting for over 15 minutes in line to use the restroom with tons of totes. I highly suggest restroom breaks after an ARC drop if possible. Not only will you have a lighter load on your shoulders but you also won't have to worry about running to the restroom when you start lining up again for an autograph signing or a panel.

BEA Tips (Part Two): Things to do in NYC

You've purchased your badge, booked your hotel and finalized your transportation. Now what? It's time to prepare for one amazing bookish week of fun and networking! New York is not just a publishing mecca in the United States. It's a city that offers so much more. Definitely take advantage of what NYC has to offer. 

If you missed part 1 of my BEA series, make sure to check it out.

Tip # 1: See a show

If have a night with no plans, why not see an Broadway or Off-Broadway show? There are plethora of musicals to choose from whether it be Aladdin or Wicked.

Image from girlswhomakelists.files.wordpress.com

Tip #2: Check out bookstores and the New York public libraries

There are so many bookstores around in New York City. Some of my favorites include the following: Strand Bookstore, Books of Wonder, Barnes & Noble, McNally Jackson Books and the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe. Make sure you check them out not only for their amazing selection of books but also for their events. During New York Book & Media Week, there are plenty of author events happening all over the city outside of BEA at bookstores and at New York public libraries. Definitely check out the Teen Author Carnival and the Kids Author Carnival. Updates will be made throughout April and May. 

NYPL from newyorkhistoryblog.org

Tip # 3: Savor some amazing food

The Javits has mediocre food and I am sure you want something tasty for dinner or even for a nice lunch. Definitely check out Hell's Kitchen, Chinatown and Koreatown for some amazing eats. Also, there are some fabulous bakeries and food carts to check out as well. Bakeries are the best for breakfast or for a nice treat. Some of my favorite places to eat at include the following: Amy's Bread, Bouchon Bakery, Momofuku Milk Bar, Luat, il laboratorio del gelato and Kunjip Restaurant.

Korean food from Kunjip Restaurant

Tip #4: Explore and sightsee

Haven't been to NYC before? Want to visit some of the famous landmarks in the area? Check out the MoMA, the MET, Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center. Explore the city! Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, stroll around Hudson River Park or Central Park, take in the lights of Times Square or just wing it! 

9/11 Memorial from media.cleveland.com

Tip # 5: Go shopping

Do you love to shop? There are so many stores in New York to check out whether it be the latest fashion at well known stores to little mom and pop boutiques. 5th Avenue and 34th Street have plenty of stores to check out.

BEA (Part One): Pre-BEA Tips

This year Massachusetts received a lot of snow and I cannot wait for all of it to melt. It's crazy how there are still 8 feet walls surrounding many towns and cities. In 3 months, it will be May and you know what that means. Yes, BookExpo America (BEA) will take place Wednesday, May 27, 2015 to Friday, May 29, 2015. BEA is the leading book and author event for the North American publishing industry. This year BEA will be a separate event from BookCon. Based on last year's BookCon, I will not attend BookCon this year due to the disorganization of the event and the overselling of badges. I am so done with the pushing and crowding of a popular culture/comic con event.

Last year was my first time attending BEA. I ended up staying in New York City from Wednesday to Sunday for the Thursday to Saturday event. I learned a lot from my trip last year and decided to compile a list of things I learned.

Tip #1: Purchasing a Badge

Definitely purchase your badge before May 8th. You want to take advantage of the Early Bird Price. Check out to see what badge category you fall under. Bloggers are under Publishing Professionals for $184 but if you purchase a pass for the BEA Bloggers Conference, it also includes a BEA badge. You can attend two events for $152. I am attending BEA as an Educator so I will not be attending the Blogger's Conference. If you live near by the Javits Center and can't attend all three days of BEA, you can opt for a day pass for a reduced price. You can register here for BEA.

Tip #2: Author Breakfasts

Once you decide what category you fall under and purchase your pass, you might want to consider whether you want to attend any of the breakfasts. The Adult Books & Author Breakfast and the Children's Book & Author Breakfast guests are already up on the BEA website. There are three tiers for each breakfast depending on what types of seats you prefer. The breakfasts do sell out so consider purchasing a ticket sooner than later. The breakfasts do coincide with the opening of the floor so that might be something you want to think about before purchasing a ticket if you enjoy the opening madness of the floor.

Tip #3: Reader Passes

Another add on you might want to think about is a reader pass. There are two reader passes you can choose from. A Reader Pass allows you to skip to the front of an autographing line of your choice. However, if the author requires a ticket, you must have both the ticket and the skip the line pass. An Avid Reader Pass includes a skip the line pass and also 10 preselected autograph author tickets. Instead of waking up super early to line up to get tickets for ticketed authors, you will receive the tickets with your badge. Whether you purchase a Reader Pass or an Avid Reader Pass, you will receive your skip the line pass when you pick up your badge. The skip the line pass can only be used in the Autographing area. You cannot use these tickets for in booth autograph signings.

Tip #4: Travel and Transportation

So you're all set with registering for BEA online. Now you need to think about travel. I live about 4-5 hours away from New York City so I usually opt for the bus or the train. I know some people live further away and will fly into New York while others live fairly close to the Javits Center and will either drive or take the subway and then walk to the venue. Last year I took a Bolt Bus from South Station, Boston, MA. This year I may opt to take the Amtrak from South Station, Boston, MA. The ride is quicker on the train and definitely more comfortable. Although the bus is more affordable, I don't mind spending a little extra money for the train this year. If you are planning to book a flight, I would suggest price checking for flights to New York. If you have frequent flyer points, even better!

In terms of getting around the city, the subway is super efficient. One ride is $2.50. A 7 day unlimited pass is $30.00.  So if you plan to ride the subway at least 12 times, I would suggest purchasing a weekly pass.You can check out more about the MetroCard fares to see what works for you. In terms of traveling to the Javits Center, definitely check out this shuttle bus schedule. BEA provides complimentary shuttles that services Penn Station, Grand Central Station and a multitude of hotels.

Tip #5: Lodging

You made it to New York. Where will you stay? There are many options in New York City in terms of hotels. If you want to be close to the Javits and Manhattan, check out the BEA hotel list. They have some good deals on rooms and the BEA shuttle will have stops near most of the hotels listed. If you belong to certain hotel rewards programs, you might be able to get a discounted price for a hotel room or you might be able to get free rooms. Another option is to look for hotels outside of New York City Some attendees will stay in neighboring New Jersey or Connecticut. The only downside is getting up super early and finding away to get into the city whether it be by taxi or train. Definitely take advantage of the ferry if you decide to stay in New Jersey.

If you want to cut costs, definitely find roommates. Not only will you only have to pay a portion of the room costs, you will have a buddy or two to roam around the city with you and at BEA.

AirBnB might be something you might want to check out if you are looking for a place to sleep. People will rent out a room or an apartment for a low price per day. This is great if you plan to stay in New York City for the week. You can get a decent sized apartment for really cheap. It's very cost efficient especially when you have multiple people chipping in toward the apartment rental.

BookExpo America 2015 Registration

BookExpo America (BEA) online registration is live! BEA 2015 is a book industry trade show that will take place on Wednesday, May 27, 2014 to Friday, May 29, 2014 at the Javits Center in New York City. This is an awesome event to network, to learn about upcoming titles and to immerse yourself in everything bookish.

The best thing about next year is that BEA and BookCon will be separate events. After last year's fiasco of a mess, it was a smart decision to separate the events instead of having them overlap.

Make sure you register early for the early bird prices! Also, if you plan to obtain a Reader Pass or an Avid Reader Pass, I would highly suggest grabbing one as soon as you can. The passes sell out very quickly.

If you plan to attend BEA, I hope to see you in NYC!

MISTI-Con 2015: The Wizarding World Fair

Are you a big Potter fan? Love the books and movies? Do you want to meet up with other Potterheads and share your love for Harry Potter and the magical wizarding world?

Check out MISTI-Con, a Harry Potter convention. According to MISTI-Con's website, MISTI-Con creates an immersive magical experience at the Margate Resort in Laconia, NH, filling the need for a smaller, more intimate Harry Potter convention designed for adult fans.

MISTI-Con 2015 will take place at the Margate Resort in Laconia, NH. The Wizarding World's Fair will be from Thursday, May 21, 2015 to Monday, May 25, 2015.

Image from misti-con.org

It is a more intimate gathering than LeakyCon. Having been to MISTI-Con 2012 and Ascendio 2012, I can say that I loved the smaller crowd at MISTI-Con.

This year there is a 24-hour common room, wizard rock, a craft fair, awesome panels, amazing cosplay, lit track, a masquerade ball, an opening gala, murder mystery dinner, a keynote luncheon and more! If you like Wrock shows, you must attend MISTI-Con's Wrock in the Wizengamot!

I hope to see you at the wizarding fair, but if I don't see you, MISTI-Con will be covered sometime after the convention. Most likely it will be the end of May or beginning of June since BookExpo America (BEA) is right after MISTI-Con. I plan to attend BEA if I can get the time off for work. And if I can, this will be an amazing week and a half. I will be covering BEA as well. 

Have a magical weekend.