BookExpo America discussion

I'll add some when I have time to google/go through my bookmarks! This is going to be the spot where I put posts created by bloggers that will help BEA attendees get ready for the 2012 expo!

I've done one so far:
How to Register for free as Press
YA Publishers index. Courtesy of Elizabeth B

What kind of stats do you think they are looking for?
I've read that if you register for the Book Blog Con you can attend BEA for free, so that is what I may do.

Yep, you can do that. I don't have amazing stats, at least I didn't last year and they let me in. :) My monthly uniques last month were about 11k, I can't remember what I put last year. I think it was more like 9k.

Here are maybe so basic BEA questions I found around the blogsphere that maybe might help:

All You Need to Know About BEA from Someone Who Has Never Attended
BEA: All you need to know + more!
BEA: All you need to know + more! Part 2
BEA: Budget Tricks and Tips

Hey Jay! Can you post the link for us in this forum? Id like to see it!

Thank you!! If anyone else has any helpful posts like that one, please post!

I have a constantly updated list of links, articles and information on a page on my blog (Book Expo 2012 Info)

I'm always open to new links I'm missing. Please let me know!

Lexie wrote: "I have a constantly updated list of links, articles and information on a page on my blog (Book Expo 2012 Info)

I'm always open to new links I'm missing. Please let me know!"

Oh, Queen of BEA organization, now that I know how you organize autograph schedules, how do you organize other things, like the various booths you want to visit, and the books you want to make sure you pick up?

Andrea wrote: Oh, Queen of BEA organization, now that I know how you organize autograph schedules, how do you organize other things, like the various booths you want to visit, and the books you want to make sure you pick up?

I like you. you win a gold star for the day :D

Those a bit trickier for me, and a bit more fluid.

For booths I want to visit, I tend to have a list in my notebook with the booth number, if I have a contact for them already (with a notation that if I do, will they be there) and general questions I want to ask (or specific ones if a publisher I know well).

As the show goes on I'll make notes all over the page about who I talked to, about what, if I got a business card and any new questions I make up as I go.

As for books I want--I check out the Galley Grabs posts, stalk the twitter and blogs and search through the BEA Newsletter each morning, but other than those listed for signings, I don't make a specific list of books I want to pick up. I'll have an idea of books I want to ask about usually, but for just books laying out in the open I pick it up if it sounds/looks interesting and go from there.

Lexie wrote: "Andrea wrote: Oh, Queen of BEA organization, now that I know how you organize autograph schedules, how do you organize other things, like the various booths you want to visit, and the books you wan..."

Yay for my gold star! Where do you find the Galley Grab posts?

@Andrea: There's one over at PW right now for Children's/YA (http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by...)

I'm pretty sure they'll also do a non-YA galley grab as well (though don't quote me on this). If not, in the PW BEA preview issue some publishers have their galleys up for grabs listed so I'll either make a post or ask folks what publisher they want to know about and post it that way.

The non-YA galley grab is in the current PW issue.

of course it is XD ah well hopefully its online soon!

About business cards - these are handed out to the publishers as well as other bloggers?

@Danielle - yeah its a good idea to hand out to both. Personally I hand out to anyone I talk with (that I haven't spoken with previously). Its personal preference though--you could hand out to just publishers (or authors) or you could hand out to just other bloggers. Judging by last year, many of the publishers are utilizing the scan badge feature as well, so many will not need to be handed a card unless its for a specific reason (such as you requested to speak with a particular author or wish to be sent information on something).

Thank you, Lexie! How many cards do you suggest making?

If you need them just for the event - about 150 should cover you quite well. If you think you'll use them again or you'll hand them out when you're just out about (I tend to hand mine out to folk I talk with outside of blogging as well since it has all my contact details so we can keep in touch), 250 is a good number.

Also depending on where you get your cards from, places like Vistaprint offer special 'first time buyer' deals for a set number of cards made so its always a good idea to take advantage of that.

Vistaprint is having a sale thru today

My first BEA-related blog post of the year is up today!

http://kristasdustjacket.blogspot.com...

Finally updated my BEA page for 2014. I will be adding links as I find them.

Hannah and Lexie, I think the links I have for you are up to date, but if you have any new info, just let me know!

Krista, I added your post, it was great! Loved the gif's!

Thanks Steph!

you are golden Steph! And now to update my info post with your and Krista's linkage :D

I wrote a series of 3 BEA Tips guest posts for the blog Turning Pages. Here is the first post:
BEA Tips Part 1: Before You Go.
Here is the second post: BEA Tips Part 2: What to Pack.
And here is the third post: BEA Tips Part 3: While You're There.

Hope these can help!

Lexie wrote: "you are golden Steph! And now to update my info post with your and Krista's linkage :D"

Thanks Lexie!

I went ahead and added every ones post on here. :) BEA 2014

Thanks Andy! Pretty comprehensive list. Can't wait to dig in and link back!

Great posts! Mine is here. :)

I created a list of the YA authors signing at BEA 2014 - complete with a spreadsheet! Check it out here at Jenna Does Books.

Jenna wrote: "I created a list of the YA authors signing at BEA 2014 - complete with a spreadsheet! Check it out here at Jenna Does Books."

Quite possibly the best post EVER

That is so awesome Jenna!!

This is great!! Weeeee, so glad you did the work for me Jenna, LoL

I agree with all of the above, your list was a big help!!

You're all very welcome! FYI: I'll be updating the list and file as new info comes in!

I posted "My Best Tips for Attending BEA15" (Especially if you've never attended before!)
http://www.whorublog.com/2015/05/05/t...

Personally, #9 is the most critical. I like being able to use my cell phone!!!!!

Liza wrote: "I posted "My Best Tips for Attending BEA15" (Especially if you've never attended before!)
http://www.whorublog.com/2015/05/05/t...

Personally, #9 is the ..."

#9 is seriously the most important as the Javits is a DEAD ZONE and battery eater of cell life.

Liza wrote: "I posted "My Best Tips for Attending BEA15" (Especially if you've never attended before!)
http://www.whorublog.com/2015/05/05/t...

Personally, #9 is the ..."

These are great tips for a newbie, though where would the shipping area be? I thought I'd read something about there being one, and I wasn't sure if it was for everyone or just retailers and the like.

April wrote: "Liza wrote: "I posted "My Best Tips for Attending BEA15" (Especially if you've never attended before!)
http://www.whorublog.com/2015/05/05/t...

Personall..."

April, it seems like EVERY year they move the shipping area! Thankfully, last year, it was close by to the exhibit hall and was easy to get to. In years past, we had to carry the entire load two levels down. A huge pain! There should be a map that will show where the area is. The process is simple. You go to the front. Pick up a box, write your name on it, and then find a spot on a table. Put your books inside and leave. I've never had anyone take anything from my boxes. You can leave them the entire time!

Liza wrote: "April wrote: "Liza wrote: "I posted "My Best Tips for Attending BEA15" (Especially if you've never attended before!)
http://www.whorublog.com/2015/05/05/t......"

Awesome. That would be a lot easier then trying to carry them all or figure out how to get them all home.

Hi! I wrote a blog post and posted a vlog with BEA tips. This will be my 6th year attending!

Blog post: http://www.abouttoread.com/book-expo-...
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWuz1...

Tiffany (About to Read) wrote: "Hi! I wrote a blog post and posted a vlog with BEA tips. This will be my 6th year attending!

Blog post: http://www.abouttoread.com/book-expo-...
Video: https://www.youtube.com..."

Do you know where on the BEA site we'd find information about where the Attendee shipping area will be?

April wrote: "Tiffany (About to Read) wrote: "Hi! I wrote a blog post and posted a vlog with BEA tips. This will be my 6th year attending!

Blog post: http://www.abouttoread.com/book-expo-......"

They usually put it on the floor plan map: http://bea15.mapyourshow.com/6_0/floo...

I haven't seen it added this year, but it's been in the exhibit hall for the last several years. There will be a big sign over the area to help you find it, but you can also ask the BEA staff who are scattered around the area and they are usually very helpful.

Tiffany (About to Read) wrote: "April wrote: "Tiffany (About to Read) wrote: "Hi! I wrote a blog post and posted a vlog with BEA tips. This will be my 6th year attending!

Blog post: http://www.abouttoread.com/book-expo-......"

Great thank you very much.

Just posted the first in our series of 3 posts about BEA prep! This one has things to bring, ways to prep, and what to wear tips!

Here is the link- Swoony Boys Podcast BEA Tips

I posted "The Things No One Tells You About BEA," hopefully someone finds this helpful!
http://bookishantics.com/2015/05/12/n...

Hey guys! I just posted some "Last Minute BEA tips" that I thought might be useful if this is your first time going! Thought you might want to check it out :) Can't wait to see you all there!

http://asdreamsaremade.com/2015/05/la...

Here's a look at what I'm packing in my purse for BEA. Definitely some essential items for attending the show!
http://www.abouttoread.com/bea-2015-w...

I made a vlog for last year’s trip – I show you the booths, NYC, Javits. The whole experience really.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8L_6...

Here's our updated BEA 2015 guide with tons of links. I am so pumped up! Can't believe it's only a few days away!

These posts are definitely helpful. I have a question though about something I see on a lot of them. I wasn't sure where to post this.... so anyway, I'm wondering about the coat check. People say it's a good idea to bring a rolling bag for your books. But I am staying in Brooklyn and won't be going back to my room until bedtime. Does the coat check do over night? Or is it better to start a box a the shipping area?

Hey Beth -- coat check is only during conference hours and for shipping they don't guarantee the integrity of your box (which is if someone is an a hole and goes thru your box they likely won't know) at least a couple years ago when I used the area and it wasn't overnight.

Has anyone used it more recently guys?