BEA Confidential: Days One and Two



As some of you know, I'm attending BEA (Book Expo America) here in New York City for the first time this year.  So far, this event is both exciting and exhausting. I'm trying to pace myself, like a marathon runner.

On Monday, I attended the Book Blogger Conference. For breakfast and lunch, different authors rotated around the blogger tables.  The YA author our table was lucky enough to chat with was Jenny Han, who wrote The Summer I Turned Pretty series.

Picture from Darla @ DForDarla

Jenny is pictured above with her friend (and now co-writer) Siobhan Vivian. Their book, Burn for Burn, comes out in September. Jenny explained how they wrote the book together. They spent about a year plotting, then divided up sections to write. Then they put the drafts up on Google Docs and both of them edited it at the same time. They clearly enjoyed the process -- and remained good friends! I can't wait to read it.

At lunch I got to meet the very charming Julie Kagawa (of the Iron Fey and Immortal Rules series) and hear about her books. I can't even imagine writing two different series at the same time!

And I've also met a whole slew of fun and friendly bloggers, booksellers, teachers and librarians. It's such a pleasure to be surrounded by so many people who love books!  I met:

Steph from FakeSteph, Kimberly from On Wings of Books, Kate from Midnight Book Girl,  Amber from The Musings of ALMYBNENR, Darla from DForDarlasDefiniteReads, and Christina from A Reader of Fictions. I gave my Melissa Marr mask to an adorable Canadian blogger and forgot to get her card. I hope she wins her scavenger hunt!

Monday evening, I got to have dinner with some incredibly nice editors and publishers and publicists from SoHo Press/Teen. They're very excited about their new YA line, which will debut in the fall. We had a fantastically fun evening talking everything from YA love triangles and cover art to study abroad and the marimba. Thanks again, guys, for hosting such a enjoyable and memorable evening!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of chatting very briefly with some amazing authors: Gretchen McNeil, Aimee Carter, Rachel Vincent, Julie Kagawa, Gabrielle Zevin, Maria V. Snyder (who signed a book for my BFF Shanan @TheBookAddictNet. Shanan LOVES her books and introduced me to the Poison Study series.) 

Today is going to be a blockbuster day. The Children's Author breakfast is in the morning, and there will be lots of signings throughout the day.  

Here on the blog, his afternoon kicks off the Debut Author Challenge Hop. My post will go up around noon!  I've assembled a bunch of great 2012 YA debut authors for my winner to choose from!

Comments

  1. Yay! Have a great time! So lucky! Get some great books! :)

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    1. I did get some great books, but the best part was meeting so many amazing book people!

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  2. Sounds amazing! Hope you have loads of fun today :)

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  3. OMG you got to meet Rachel Vincent, Gretchen McNeil, Aimee Carter, and Julie Kagawa!! I am totally envious right now!! Sounds like you are having an incredible time. I can't wait to see all the awesome books you get. I am set on going next year. I will go!! Lol!!

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    1. Yep, it's really fun to meet authors, booksellers, teachers, librarians, bloggers.

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  4. It sounds like you are having a blast, Jen:) I can't imagine being somewhere with all those amazing people all together at one venue! Enjoy every last second of it:)

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    1. I am getting tired. Going back tomorrow morning, then I'm going to need a rest!

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  5. Sounds like such a great time! Have fun! :)

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    1. One more day -- I'm sad, but I need a rest too!

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  6. That sounds so amazing! Wish I could have been there!

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  7. Sounds like you're having an amazing time!

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  8. Sounds so awesome! Keep having fun :oD

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    1. I am -- got the Diana Peterfreund book based on Jane Austen's Persuasion -- so I thought of all my Jane Austen fan friends!!

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  9. I'm so glad you're having a great time! I'm so jealous that you got to meet Rachel Vincent & Julie Kagawa! :-) :-)

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    1. They were both so nice -- very exciting!

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  10. I'm so jealous you met Julie Kagawa! I wish I was there! I will keep living vicariously through you all for now though.

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  11. you're like in bookie heaven!

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  12. Sounds so awesome!!! I want to go so bad. I'll have to plan ahead and try to go next year. It sounds like heaven. You got to meet Julie Kagawa and Rachel Vincent and so many cool people!

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    1. YES!!!! I would love to meet you in person!! You must come.

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  13. Sounds crazy/exciting! It's amazing you still have had time to spend on your blog. Have fun!

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    1. I wrote this week's posts in advance :)

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  14. Wow! I would love to go to BEA someday. It sounds like such a fun and exciting event. Hope you have a great time with the rest of your time there:)

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    1. It was fun -- I'm running BEA Confidential Part II tomorrow :)

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  15. You are super super lucky and I am super super jealous! I hope you had the best time and got all kinds of dirt on books and authors to share with us!

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    1. I did find out about some books I'm really excited about - will post that on Sunday!

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  16. It was sooo good meeting you! Did we take a picture together? I don't think I have one, but I want one!

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  17. Sounds like you had a great time! I'm really going to try to go next year!!

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