BEA 2013 Write Up Day 2

Book Expo America or BEA for short is a publishing event that takes place in North America.  It gives authors and publishers the chance to showcase their new releases to the book publishing industry.  Advanced Reader Copies of upcoming books are available for attendees to pick up.  Attendees often include authors, publishers, librarians, members of the press, etc.  In recent years, the final day of the conference is open to the public for what they call "Power Readers Day".

When I found out that Veronica Roth was speaking at the Children's Book and Author Breakfast, I knew I had to get a ticket to this.  As I mentioned in my day 1 write up I am a big fan of the Divergent series.  So I was very interested in hearing her speech.  Other authors that gave speeches were, Rick Riordan and Mary Pope Osbourne.  Oscar nominee, Octavia Spencer was the master of ceremonies.  I went into the breakfast not really knowing what to expect.  I didn't know anyone who had attended any of the previous breakfast at BEA, but I had seen a video online of John Green's speech from last year.

I am so glad I made the decision to go to the breakfast.  It was so nice to hear the author's speeches.  Plus it was a nice change of pace from the busyness of the exhibit hall.  If I get the opportunity to attend BEA next year, I will definitely buy a ticket for the children's author breakfast again.

The Mortal Instruments Banner

After the breakfast, I made my way to the exhibit hall.  Let me say that having a written schedule definitely made a huge difference between Thursday and Friday for me.  It was so much easier for me to stick to my schedule, plus my phone's battery lasted the whole day.

The book I wanted the most on Friday was Holly Black's book "The Coldest Girl in Coldtown."  I am huge fan of her Curseworkers series, so I tried to get in line as early as I could.  I was a little worried because I was in another author's line for a lot longer than I expected.  I debated leaving the other author's line, even though I had already been in the other author's line for 45 minutes.  I decided to stay in the line I was already in, and hope for the best.  I knew that Little Brown was giving out galleys on Saturday as well, so if I didn't get a signed copy, I could still get a copy.  Luckily for me, once I headed over the Little Brown's booth, they still had tickets left for Holly's signing.  I must say that I loved how at most of the booth signings I went to had numbered tickets.  I had a fear that I would wait in a line, and end up not getting a book because I know that this has happened before.

Holly Black signing my copy of The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

On Friday I also paid a lot better attention to the books I picked up.  I browsed the titles I was unfamiliar with, and if I wasn't interested in the book I gave it back.  Books are so important to me, that I really don't feel comfortable picking up something that I know I won't enjoy and someone else possibly would.

One of the things I really loved seeing at BEA were authors walking around the exhibit hall.  It reminded me that authors are readers as well.  In fact, Victoria Schwab was in quite a few of the same signing lines that I was in.

Victoria Schwab and Myself

Before I went to the the author's breakfast that morning, I headed over to the ticketed signings booth.  I was able to pick up tickets to Cassandra Clare's signing for me and Jessica.  Seeing and meeting Cassie Clare is always a joy.  And every time I walked into the Javits Center, I smiled when I looked up and saw the huge City of Bones movie tie in banner.  I can't wait for the City of Bones movie to hit theaters this summer.  It was so awesome that Cassie was there to promote the book.

Cassie Clare signing Jessica's copy of City of Bones

At the end of the day Jessica and I headed over to Red Lobster for dinner, and then retired to our hotel room for the rest of the night.