Last week I traveled to New York City to attend the BEA conference. BEA is short for Book Expo America. Basically, it’s a trade conference where publishers can promote their upcoming releases to booksellers, librarians, bloggers and anyone else that might have an interest in the publishing industry. While in NYC, I not only attended the conference, but I also took in the sites and went to see the play, The Book Of Mormon (hilarious!).
Here is a brief rundown of my first day at the BEA conference:
Day 1
On Tuesday, I attended the Children’s Book & Author Breakfast. Julianne Moore (Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever, September 2011) was wonderful as the master of ceremonies! In addition to Julianne, Brian Selznick (Wonderstruck, September 2011), Sarah Dessen (What Happened To Goodbye?), and Kevin Henkes (Little White Rabbit)discussed their upcoming releases at the breakfast. This was my first taste of what was to come during the rest of the week. All of the authors at the breakfast were amazing and their enthusiasm for the written word was a joy to behold!
Julianne Moore signing her latest book!
After the breakfast, I went to the author signing area. I was so happy to get a copy of Witch Eyes (September 2011) by Scott Tracey! On my way back from the autographing area, I was passing through the Scholastic booth when a rep asked me if I would like a advance copy of Forever (July 2011) by Maggie Stiefvater and an advance copy of The Scorpio Races (October 2011), also by Maggie Stiefvater. Um, yes! I didn’t have to think twice about that! Both of those books were on my list of books that I am dying to read in the next few months. I was shocked that I was actually able to get them so easily. With those books in my hot little hands I looked around with excitement and thought, I have died and gone to nerdy book girl Heaven!
Other highlights from day 1 include meeting Florence Henderson and Teresa Giudice. Florence Henderson is so cute and tiny. I absolutely could not believe it when I turned a corner and Mrs. Brady was in front of me! She was so nice, and I was lucky enough to get a picture with her. I am so excited to read her new book Life Is Not A Stage (September 2011).
Hanging Out With Florence Henderson At BEA!
Teresa Giudice is just as beautiful in person as she is on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Even though she was 30 minutes late for the signing, it was worth the wait to get to meet her in person. I can’t wait to try out the recipes in Fabulicious, her new cookbook.
Teresa Giudice Is Gorgeous In Person!
On day1 I also got to meet Beth Hoffman and that is actually the highlight of my entire trip! Beth, the author of the wonderful SIBA award winning, New York Times bestselling novel Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, took a group of about a dozen bloggers (including me!) out to dinner. I just love Beth! She is such a talented writer and I regularly refer to her as “the nicest person on the internet.” Beth was such a gracious host. She spent time talking with each of us and told us so many wonderful stories about her travels and about what she is currently writing. She also gave each of us a Saving CeeCee Honeycutt themed gift. The dinner was such a fun experience! Beth was so great, and truly a lifesaver. I was so scared about attending BEA without knowing anyone attending the conference. Because of her, I met so many great bloggers that I may not have had the confidence to introduce myself to had I just caught a glimpse of them at the conference. S. Krishna’s Books, Linus’s Blanket, Beth Fish Reads , Steph The Bookworm, and Book Journey were sitting at my end of the table – Hi guys! I am so thankful to Beth for inviting me and for including me in such a great group of people!
Me With The Fabulous Beth Hoffman!
By the time day 1 of the conference came to an end, I knew that day 2 would have a hard act to follow. I mean running into Florence Henderson? ARCs of Witch Eyes, Forever and The Scorpio Races?An awesome dinner with Beth Hoffman? Yep, day 2 had a lot to live up to! Check back next Monday for part 2 of my Book Expo America post. You can be sure it will be filled with celebrity sightings, connections I made with other bloggers, and an in depth explanation of the different types of cutting and why you shouldn’t do it (with diagrams!). Also, I finally meet one of my favorite freakin’ awesome authors that I have discussed on the blog before!
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
You are such a doll … I miss you already! The night went by way, way to quickly! Thanks for your beautiful smile and for taking time out of your hugely busy schedule to have dinner. I loved meeting you and hope we get to be together again!
Thank you so much! I hope you make it down to New Orleans for ALA. I should be attending that convention too.:)
I totally agree that dinner with Beth was a major highlight of the week
Absolutely!
I love this post so very much. I feel like such a newbie, while my blog is not 100% book reviews, I do love to read and review. I only learned of BEA this spring from another writer. Sounds like day one was heavenly, and dinner with Beth Hoffman would have just topped it all off. Beth is a fabulous person, she really touches me, so very kind.
I look forward to hearing more!!
Thanks Anita! BEA is in June next year, and I’m already planning for it! You should definitely try to go. It is well worth the trip and you would have a blast!:)
It was so nice to meet you and hear a Southern accent while I was in New York. I agree that the dinner with Beth was fabulous!
Thanks Kathy! I was so happy to finally meet you in person at Beth’s dinner!
You got to meet Mrs. Brady!! I was walking by and saw her taking pictures. If I wasn’t on my way to another signing I would have stopped. It was nice meeting you. It hit me today that we were standing in line for the Lauren Oliver signing. I’m pretty sure it was that because we all started exchanging cards!
Great post! It was awesome meeting you too and yeah – how fun was our night out with Beth Hoffman?
Good Post. Like seeing what everybody else did at BEA. Wasn’t BEA wonderful. Surround by books, authors, celebrities. New follower.
Sounds like such a fabulous time! I am really hoping that I can make it next year! I think I would have been floored by Florence Henderson! I can’t wait to read more! Thanks for being such an awesome blogger, I know that I have looked to you/your site for guidance and you have answered so many questions for me either directly or indirectly! Thanks so much!
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