As you probable know I went to my very first BEA (Book Expo America) last week. I had been interested in going for a long time, ever since I was reviewing for Michelle over at Galleysmith, but the timing was never right. Well this year with my blog being close to a year and a half old and myself getting more and more into it, I decided to save my money and make it happen. And happen it did. It was probably one of the craziest, overwhelming “vacations” I have taken and it was so much fun.
Leading up to leaving I honestly had no idea what to expect. I had heard all sorts of stories and will admit that I was a little scared. Between the horror stories and the fact that I didn’t really “know” anyone that was going to be there minus Gail (Ticket to Anywhere) and that I’m pretty awkward in situations like that where it comes to being outgoing and introducing myself I was filled with anxiety the night before I left. But I can now say with 100% certainty that it was unwarranted. I had a great experience meeting bloggers and authors and publicists and doing all the book things.
Wednesday:
My first stop for my BEA book journey was the Teen Author Carnival held at The Jefferson Market Library. First up was YA Jeopardy hosted by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. After that were the panels. I went to two panels. I attended the “I’ll Be There for You” panel with Kara Taylor, Sarah Mlynowski, Elizabeth Eulberg, Rebecca Serle, Anne Stampler and the “Time After Time” panel with Gayle Forman, Una LaMarche, Tiffany Schmidtt, Lauren Morrill, Adi Alsaid, Jennifer E. Smith. After the two panels, which were both fantastic, there was an author signing. I didn’t bring any books from home to have signed but I wasn’t passing up the opportunity to have Gayle Forman sign my book so I ended up buying two copies of If You Stay (look for one to show up on the blog around movie release time!) and got to meet Gayle. And she was totally awesome. She even complimented my jewelry and my nails. So that was full of win. I also was able to chat with Tiffany Schmidtt who I have met before and just love, and got to meet Rebecca Serle who is just the sweetest, cutest thing ever. She wasn’t able to sign, but she was all about the hugs. Oh and I was able to meet my very own Epic Rec partner Rachel (As Told by Rachel) which was awesome and she was just as awesome as I expected.
Saturday Travel and TAC Outfit: Rocking my “Anna” tee shirt
I’ll Be There for You panel
L to R: Adele Walsh(mod), Kara Taylor, Sarah Mlynowski, Elizabeth Eulberg, Rebecca Serle, Anne StamplerTime After Time panel
L to R: Mitali Dave (mod), Gayle Forman, Una LaMarche, Tiffany Schmidtt, Lauren Morrill, Adi Alsaid, Jennifer E. Smith
TAC Book Haul: Famous in Love/If I Stay (signed)/Renegade/Are You Experienced?
Thursday:
Javits (photo by Gail)
On Thursday BEA began. Like I said at the beginning I had no idea what to expect. I heard things about cell service being bad, the temperatures going from hot to cold in the blink of an eye, the floor of the Javits being harder than hard. I can now 100% say that this is all true. HA. I have never been so sore in my life as I was after day one at BEA. My whole body just hurt. But man was it worth it. The day started off with the Harlequin Teen Breakfast which was held right at the Javits and I was lucky enough to get an invite thanks to a friend and the kind people of Harlequin Teen. The breakfast had a bunch of authors and the people that work at Harlequin in attendance plus bloggers, a bunch that I talk to on a daily basis on Twitter and was able to meet. We were given books, a notebook and my favorite tote bag of all of BEA. And we got to chat with the authors and publishing people. It was a lot of fun and an honor to be able to attend and talk to the people in the industry.
After breakfast was over it was time to hit the floor and get a real look at what I was in store for. Knowing I wanted Caragh O’Brien‘s newest book The Vault of Dreamers and that I wanted to meet her, I hightailed it over to the autographing area and waited in my firs line of many to get a signed book. Truthfully I expected mass chaos but I was surprised with how organized they were with signage and where lines should go. The line moved quickly and I got to meet Caragh and have a book signed. She was just as awesome as I expected. When the signing was over I wandered the floor and was introduced to some people and grabbed some galleys and talked to some more people until it was time to line up for Rebecca Serle’s signing even though I knew she wasn’t actually signing. In line I ended up with Rachel and Brittany (The Book Addict’s Guide) so we chatted while we waited. After seeing Rebecca for again I headed back to the hotel where I ended up meeting a friend for dinner and drinks.
Day One in the bag and a success.
Harlequin Breakfast (L to R): Jennifer Amentrout, Alexandra Adornetto, Robin Talley, Julie Kagawa, Adi Asaid
Tote from Harlequin Breakfast that I’m IN LOVE WITH!
Autographing Area while in line for Caragh O’Brien
Rebecca’s Line taken by Leila Sales (here) That is me and Rachel with Brittany‘s head behind me.
Day 1 of BEA book haul: The Vault of Dreamers (s)/Breaking Butterflies/Bombay Blues/Famous in Love/Night Sky/Iron Trial/Famous Last Words/The Fire Artist/The Girl Who Never Was/Lies We Tell Ourselves/Belhzar/Talon (s)/Invisible/Ghost House/Love is the Drug/Let’s Get Lost (samplers)/Sinner/I’ll Give You the Sun/Burn/Fashion Book/Harlequin Notebook
PART TWO TOMORROW!
Great overview of your first day! Looks like it was so fun and a little overwhelming! At least I know I would be overwhelmed! Hoping to make my first trip next year!
This looks like so much fun! I’d love to go to BEA but until then I’ll just live vicariously through everyone else! I’m so glad you had a good time and I love your outfit for your travel day. That Eiffel tower top is so cute!
love this photo recap!
Andiiiiii!!! I loved reading this. I don’t think we met until day 2 and we didn’t get any pics together *sadface* (what line was that in?! we missed our chance!) But that’s so awesome that you got to go to the Harlequin breakfast! I’m so super jealous of that tote *_* Can’t wait to read your recap of Day 2!!
YAY So glad I got to see you there!!! And look, there’s my head! Haha 😀 (And yes, this was how long it took me to get to comments)