BEA 2010 and First Annual Book Bloggers Convention!

BEA, aka Book Expo America, is a convention I've attended for several years in my role at HarperCollins, so unlike most book bloggers, last year was not my first BEA, but it was the first BEA I was excited about in a long time. Why? Well, because for the first time, there was a sizable number of new people attending the convention who are excited about books, who read them in great numbers, who buy them in perhaps even greater numbers (those TBR piles always outweigh the "have reads"), and even better than that? They recommend them to literally thousands of people through their ever-increasing network of readers of their blogs, followers on Twitter, friends on Facebook and more. Book Bloggers arrived at the 2009 BEA and it was FANTASTIC to have their energy injected into the event.

I was lucky enough last year to moderate a panel of book bloggers and we were overwhelmed at the response - the room was packed with publishers, booksellers, authors and other bloggers and the spirited conversation clearly indicated that there is much that all of us need to discuss and understand about how we all work and how we can all work better together.

So, do I think book bloggers should attend BEA? Absolutely. And do I think they should further attend this year's inaugural Book Blogger Convention that will take place on Friday, May 28th immediately following the convention? Without a doubt. If last year's event taught us anything, and if ongoing conversation on Twitter and the blogs prove, bloggers have so much to learn from each other and the connections we can all make at BEA and the BBC are so valuable. And it looks like one can now sign up for BEA and the BBC in one fell swoop, check out the official site for details.

The organizers of the Book Blogger Convention asked several of us to share our tips for bloggers coming to NY and to BEA. Candace at Beth Fish Reads set the bar high with her advice today, and I hope I don't repeat too many of them here - but hers were all so good! Here are mine:

1) Plan to meet up with a few blogging friends you know and a few you only know via the blogosphere and Twitter. Better yet, plan a meet up before BEA starts. Going in with some friends already made can really enhance your show and you'll help each other find all the best giveaways and signings.

2) Get business cards made up. The publishers and authors you'll talk to will want a way to reach you, and cards are the best way to pass along your information.

3) Let publishers and authors know you have a blog when you talk to them and let them know what, if anything, you specialize in and what you're looking for. 

4) Be discriminate in the books and galleys you grab. At your first show, you'll tend to pick up nearly everything in sight. You'll soon be weighed down with far more than you carry. Try to take just what interests you and you'll be thankful for the more judicious selection.

5) If you can't hold back, be assured that the convention center does have a facility for mailing packages home to yourself so you don't have to haul everything around.

6) Tweet and blog about your day for those of your blogging and twittering friends who can't attend the show - they will want to hear about what you're doing and they'll learn from your experiences as well.

7) Attend panels and speak up! You are the new voices spreading the word about books and publishers and authors want and need to hear from you!

8) Set a night aside to do something very New York - go to a Broadway show, see some music or go out to dinner at a fabulous restaurant (or, all of the above). Sign up for the Broadway Box newsletter now to get tips on discounts on all sorts of shows, on Broadway and off.

9) Set an afternoon aside to take a literary pilgrimage - chances are one of your favorite authors spent some time in NY - find out where they lived, ate and drank, and go on a literary journey. (makes a great blog post upon your return home!)

10) Have fun! This is work, but it's also an incredible opportunity surround yourself with people who, like you, love books!

Be sure to check out the other bloggers participating in this blog tour about BEA and the BBC, including Dawn at She is Too Fond of Books, who is also posting today, and I hope to see you at both shows!

Comments

[Jen - Devourer of Books]

You offered some great advice! I'm going to have to remember to come back and read all of these posts again in May so I don't forget what I'm supposed to do at BEA! I'm very excited about attending for the first time (I was 8 months pregnant last year, that wasn't going to happen), and about meeting you and so many other people I email and tweet with all the time.

[Carey]

Great tips! A literary pilgrimage is a fantastic idea!
Last year was such fun, can't wait for May.

[Kathy R (Bermudaonion)]

I signed up for the Broadway Box newsletter! I did take the time to attend a play and go to the Met last year and it just enhanced my trip!

[Amanda]

Oh I'm glad to know there's a mailing facility. That saved my life at ALA last year and I was a bit worried this time around...

[Joe Wallace]

Love these suggestions. It will be my first BEA, and advice like this is invaluable. Thanks!

[nomadreader]

Great tips! I'm really looking forward to my first BEA and any excuse to spend a few days in NYC!

[Stephanie]

Awesome advice! I can't wait till May to see everyone again (plus this year I'll have hair - YIPPEE)!

[Sheila DeChantal]

I am taking notes rapidly - this is so helpful! I am glad to hear that we can mail packages home. I was trying to think how that would be done for those of us who are flying in. This is so exciting. Thanks for the tips!

[Lenore]

Yes, I'd love to go to a show this time. Did not get a chance last year.

[Dawn - She is Too Fond of Books]

I'm coming in Monday to get my bearings and do some bookstore exploring. Making the most of being free of the kids for several days! :)

[Traci - Author Exposure]

Great post today! Thanks so much for sharing. The business cards and totes. I still don't know if I can make BEA but I will be there for the book blogger convention!

[Book Club Girl]

Stephanie, I can't wait to see your hair - and you!

[Amanda]

What a great list! I am so excited that publishers like HarperCollins are getting behind Book Bloggers. Thank you so much for the support and enthusiasm!

I LOVE your list because I could have totally used this last year.

[Barbara On the Bookcase]

Great Tips! looking forward to seeing ya'll

[CJ]

I was contemplating skipping both but this post has answered all of my questions and then some! Being a newbie to book blogging I find it can be a bit overwhelming when your book pile is increasing faster than you can blog about them. But at least there isn't a book shortage:)

[Alison (Alison's Book Marks)]

My first BEA! I'm so excited, but it's a little like your first day of Junior High, and I'm a little nervous!

Thanks for the great tips!

[Jennifer@5 Minutes for Books]

I can't wait! I didn't go last year, and I live in CT. I am not sure why.

Just saw the Weight of Heaven chat info, and I need to mark my calendar. I loved that book.

[J.T. Oldfield]

Can't wait to meet you IRL! Maybe I should take the canvas Book Club Girl bag I won from you a while back. It comes in handy when I go to Trader Joe's all the time.

[Linda Ellen]

Thank you for all the great tips! I like the idea of a pilgrimage.

[Kristin Callender]

I attended last year & did just what you mentioned. I was so excited with the books I took every one I could get my hands on. After lugging and dragging these around NYC my back and feet were beyond aching. I will be more selective this year :)