BEA 2013: Wrap Up Post

by - June 12, 2013



Hello everyone! How are you! I know I’ve been MIA for while and just where the hell have I been some of you might ask. Well I was at the joyous wonder that is BookExpo America.


What is that? 

BookExpo America (BEA) is the largest annual book trade fair in the United States. BEA is almost always held in a major city over four days in late May and/or early June. Nearly all significant book publishers in the United States, and many from abroad, have booths and exhibits at BEA, and use the fair as an opportunity to showcase upcoming titles, sell current books, socialize with colleagues from other publishing houses, and sell and buy subsidiary rights and international rights. Authors, librarians, and buyers for book retailers also attend the event.”

I am seriously lame when it comes to picture taking. But I will share with you the little pictures I do have.

Wednesday night I packed my bag and picked out my clothes like a good girl. I made sure everything was ready for my journey into the city during morning rush hour. My mom packed me a lunch, we live in New York City so we know how expensive things are in Manhattan.

So Thursday morning after only 3 hours of sleep I’m up and ready and leaving my house at 7 in the morning(I seriously hate 7 in the morning). I get there a little before nine to get my badge, map and booklet, check in my suitcase pull out my list and I’m off to my first signing. 


I was super excited to meet Jill Shalvis who is singing It Had To Be you book seven in her Lucky Harbor series.

It was hard to follow everything on my list because so many things were happening at one time, it’s all a little overwhelming. There were only four signings the first day that I HAD to get to.

·       Jill Shalvis- It Had to Be You
·       Veronica Rossi –Through the Ever Night
·       Sarah J. Mass –Crown of Midnight
·       Susanne Colasanti –All I Need

This was the line for Sarah J. Mass. There were a few people in front of that girl standing in the yellow, there were people curved in a line behind me and this was about half an hour before it started.


Now aside from them there were many other signings that if I had time I would run to and pretty much did everything on my list and then some.

I met Shannon Greenland and not only did she tell me she thought name was beautiful, she knew it and she knows me, because we’re friends on Facebook. Can you believe that?! Me neither!

Here is what I took home at the end of day one. Copies are books I grabbed for my best friend who couldn’t make it.


Friday

Ugh Friday I got there a little late, though not as late as I thought I would be. I was able to make it to the first signing on my list, it was Lori Austin and she was signing copies of her book Beauty and the Bounty Hunter. After that I ran from one end of the Javits center to the other so I could get a good place in line to see the ever amazing Sylvia Day, she was signing copies of Reflected in You.

I was better prepared this day I had snacks and this time I didn’t forget my bottle of water in my suitcase. Unlike last year I was more selective on what I grabbed. Last year I picked up everything I could fit in my hands and bags because they were free.

Signings I HAD to go to on Friday
·       Sylvia Day- Reflected in You
·       Simone Elkeles –Wild Cards
·       Tahereh Mafi –Unravel Me
·       Jennifer L. Armentrout –Frigid (Jennifer couldn’t make it due to family issues)
·       Denise Grover Swank –After Math
·       Mari Mancusi –Scorched

My friend Katelyn (of Tales of Books and Bands) and I were just finished seeing Simone when we walked by the Harlequin booth and realized the line wasn’t bad. We weren’t gonna go to the Harlequin Teen Author signing because the line for those are usually out of this world. But lucky for us it wasn’t bad all and we just made it. For that signing it was . . .
·       Julie Kagawa –The Eternity Curse
·       Katie McGarry –Dare You To
·       Elizabeth Scott –Heartbeat
·       Amanda Sun –Ink

And if that wasn’t enough while we were on line one of the publishers gave out copies of Indelible by Dawn Metcalf. And while they were doing that Dawn is there and she starts signing the book while we wait, it was great of her.

Then some bloggers got together and hosted a picnic in central park it was great. I couldn’t stay long but I got to meet so many amazing people. The picnic was hosted by Andrea from The Overstuffed Bookcase Katelyn from Tales of Books and Bands) and Alexa from Alexa Loves Books, and Jen from YA Romantics
Here’s a group picture from that 
You can see more pictures and find out more over at Alexa’s post

This is what I took home on Day Two.


Saturday

Now I really thought I was going to be late because the trains are on a wacky schedule on weekends. Now I meet my friend who only came for one day it was her first time so she was super excited and grabbed everything she could. It was fun watching her.

Over at the Ellora’s Cave booth they were giving out books and calendar’s which their model signed. Here is me with some of the guys. .

Nice right. And the calendar is super sexy and steamy.

Here were my goals Saturdays
·       Kevin Emerson –The Dark Shore
·       Alexandra Bracken –Never Fade
·       Meagan Spooner –Shadowlark
·       J. Lynn –Wait for You
·       Emma Chase –Tangled
·       Jessica Sorenson –The Secret of Ella and Micha
·       Cora Carmack –Faking It

What sucked is that the Kevin Emerson signing was the one I’ve been waiting for and I didn’t make it. I got on line for the Alexandra Bracken, they were at the same time and a line was already forming for Alexandra. What I didn’t realize was that Kevin’s signing was only a half an hour. Not making that signing was my only regret, but no worries that book is on its way to me.

I met Sylvia day again, totally random I was walking by when I saw her signing a green book so I stopped and sure enough it was Entwined With You. I had no idea she would be signing that so I hopped on the line and blam! Got me one. Here’s us.


Here’s what I took home at the end of day 3.

It was awesome to meet new people, reconnect with people I’ve met last year and to meet all of those amazing authors. I had an amazing time this year and I already can’t wait for the next year. Though where will I put all of these book. Here’s everything I got this year. Hope to see you next year. I found the Expo this year to be better than last year. 

Lines weren't as long, and things ran a lot smoother. Though there were one or two rude people who should have stayed home, it was still a great time. Minus those two people everyone was friendly, people in line struck up conversations and next thing you know you've made a great friend. So next year if you can make the trip you should.


This is everything I got. 

 



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1 comments

  1. It was so great meeting you in the line for Never Fade! It looks like the rest of your Saturday went really well :D

    ReplyDelete