I’ve officially started the countdown! In a little over three months, I’ll be making my way to NY to attend Book Expo America 2010. I had a fabulous time last year. I got to meet dozens of bloggers I’d chatted with online for months. I networked with publicists and authors and made some pretty awesome connections.
One of the things I can’t wait to attend after BEA this year is Book Blogger Con 2010, a one day event intended to provide support, instruction, and social time for people who blog about books. Book Blogger Con will take place May 28, 2010, immediately following BEA. If you have a book blog and you’ll be in NY for BEA, this is the place you’ll need to be!
I remember when I was planning for my trek to BEA 2009. I had so many questions so I thought I’d come up with a FAQ for first time attendees! My answers obviously reflect my personal opinion :)So, without further ado!
What is the attire for BEA?
The official attire is business casual. Last year, I wore dress slacks and a casual top and layered it with a blazer. Comfortable shoes are a must! Comfort comes before cuteness! Don’t wear heels or flip flops or anything else that lacks support. On the flip-side, don’t wear your grungy old running shoes.
Are the books really free?
Yes, the majority of the publishers do provide ARCs to BEA attendees. Be realistic in what you decide to pick up. Take the time to read the back of the book and see if the book is one that you’d be interested in. This isn’t a shopping spree, the goal is not to see who can bring home the most books.
There are some publishers that don’t offer free ARCs. Don’t beg for a copy of a book. Don’t grab it off the shelf while no one is looking. If you aren’t sure if the ARCs are free for the taking, ask first!
What are five things I should bring with me?
1. Comfortable shoes (explanation above)
2. Business cards: you will be meeting a ton of new people. You will go through a great deal of business cards, so it would make sense to purchase them from somewhere pretty economical. My suggestion is vistaprint.com. You can get a pretty decent number of business cards for under $20.
3. Water/snacks: you will be doing a lot of walking. And while there are some (great) cinnamon almond vendors in the Javits Center, you should still bring your own snacks. Your days will be long and you’ll need to keep your energy up!
4. Tote bag: you will need something to carry your books in. There will be an abundance of tote bags given away but oftentimes these go very fast! So pack something with plenty of padding on the straps; your shoulders will thank you later!
5. Patience: If you plan on participating in any of the author signings, plan on standing in line for a long time. Your comfortable shoes and water & snacks will really come in handy now.
I think that about covers it! Don’t forget to sign up for Book Blogger Con! I’d be remiss not to mention that Book Blogger Con is now officially affiliated with BEA 2010! Register for Book Blogger Con and you’ll be automatically signed up to attend BEA! One stop shopping, gotta love it!
So, are you attending BEA 2010? I’d be happy to answer any questions!
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