Detailed posts will be coming throughout the week; here’s a short/quick review of what I’ll cover:
- meeting my “imaginary friends.” I’m happy to be able to reassure my 13-year-old daughter that despite her misgivings about me getting together with all the bloggers, publishers, publicists and authors I’ve met via email, blogs, and Twitter, no one came close to the description of the axe-wielding murderers her DARE program in school warned her against! Truly a pleasure to meet so many people face-to-face and put the names, avatars and voices all together.
- Panels – Author’s Buzz, YA Buzz … and Book Bloggers – the New Buzz Makers (that’s the one I sat on, terrific opportunity! Many thanks to Book Club Girl and HarperCollins)
- Opening keynote with Steven Tyler and Clarence Clemons … rock and roll will never die
- Evening events including the famous #BEATweetup at Greenhouse
- Children’s Authors Breakfast – Julie Andrews and Pete Yarrow; two more authors I loved first as musicians
- Author’s Breakfast
- Meet the Blogger signings at the Firebrand booth
- autographing area
There’s so much more, and I’ll share the event here in words and pictures to the best of my ability!
In the meantime, I have a bunch of reality (laundry, mail, phone calls to return) staring at me this morning, so I’m off to tackle that! I’ll start at the end of the event – my welcome home! J and the kids picked me up at the Amtrak station around 6 on Sunday; after a gorgeous few days we hit a quick rain storm, but were rewarded with a rainbow. We then headed into Harvard Square for a bite to eat. Our first official date (don’t ask me how we define “official!”) was at the Border Cafe. It used to be a lot more of a dive than it is now; in fact, they’ve cleaned up their act so much that they’ve branched out to a couple other locations. It’s fun to go back with four kids 18 years later to revisit the scene of crime!
Glad to hear you got home safe and sound!
Wish I’d been there! I can’t wait to hear more about BEA, specifically the bloggers’ panel!
Glad to read the update. I tried following the panel on twitter as the blog talk radio didn’t work. Just from Twitter I could tell you all were fantastic. Everyone was/is so proud. I look forward to hearing the rest of the story. What a nice looking family you have. I love you littlest girl’s expression.
Great pictures! I hope you have more! How amazing that you were greeted with a rainbow!
Way to represent the bloggers, Dawn!!! I followed on Twitter but am looking forward to listening to it tomorrow on Blog Talk Radio.
Love the welcome home photos!
great post…I look forward to reading your recap. I hope you’ll be gentle on us!
I am so excited for you, having participated in this event. I can’t wait to hear more! BTW, love the super-sized margarita in the picture! Was your husband driven to that, after having the kids for that many days???
Great post! I am so jealous. Sounds like you all had a good time and the Bloggers were well represented! Thanks.
Sounds like fun! I’m looking forward to living vicariously through your posts.
BEA was so much fun, but I know exactly what you mean – I need a break from reality today! I’m so glad I got to meet you and all the other bloggers – everyone was exactly how I expected them to be.
No axe-wielders, huh? That’s ’cause you didn’t invite me and so I didn’t bring The Hatchet along! (You’ve met Deadly Metal Hatchet, my other band at the Meet and Greet, right?)
Awesome! So glad you had fun. Maybe next year we can ride the train together?! I would so love to go to this. PS – did you meet anyone who attended the panel with Craig Ferguson, Jeannette Walls and Tracy Kidder?
Sounds like a great time! I look forward to hearing more about it.
Stephanie – safe and sound! It was fantastic to meet you and get to spend some time together
Avis – you can listen “live” to the recorded panel at 6 on Book Club Girl on Air. I know recorded/live is an anachronism, but the chat room will be open tonight for online chat, then the podcast will be archived to access any time.
Margot – there were several bloggers in the panel who were tweeting. They did a great job distilling the speakers into 140 character sound bites! … my little one had a pout on, didn’t she??!!
rhapsody – I couldn’t get over spotting that rainbow, it was huge!
Lisa – I’m a little leery of hearing what I said (much rambling). Hopefully I’m my own worst critic!
Serena – it was great to meet you and Anna!
Sandy – hmm, they look bigger on camera
(they *are* good!)
Joe – it was fun, and the panel generated a lot of discussion. We couldn’t represent everyone and all interests, but Beth Fish discussed the diversity (listen to the podcast for details)
Jessi – I hope by reading various posts and listening to the BCG archive you’ll get a sense of what it was like.
Kathy – I was fine yesterday (still in NY with friend until about 2), but I crashed last night and haven’t got a second wind yet! So great to meet you and your husband!
Susan – yes, I’m glad my daughter doesn’t get to say “I told you so!”
Care – that was the Author’s Breakfast on Saturday. yes, I was there and will be posting details about it.
Stacy – I don’t think you’ll be able to avoid reading about BEA this week
Welcome back, I’m glad you guys had a great trip. Can’t wait to read the rest of your trip. Have a great week.
That’s one good looking family you’ve got there Dawn! Thank you again so much for being on the panel and I’m so glad I got to meet you. I keep saying this, but I only wish we’d had more time to talk all together after the panel!
I’m so glad you had a good time at BEA – I’m hoping to go (maybe next year)!! And I agree with other posters – you have a wonderful family!
Thanks for stopping by and participating in Thingers last week! I’ve got the post up for this week. ~ Wendi
Dear Ms. Rennert, Enjoyed your comments on blogging and I am looking forward to checking in here more. Sounds like you enjoyed BookExpo. ML
Can’t wait to read the rest of your thoughts, oh you with the distinctive face!
I loved meeting you, only wish we’d had more time!
Looks like you had a great time, I wish I was there too. lovely pics as well.
ann marie – I’m sure there will be lots of posts over the next few weeks!
Book Club Girl – yes, finding someone you don’t know in a sea of 30,000 people is quite the challenge! Pencil in more time in 2010
Amy – distinctive … still laughing (and wondering) at that!
Violet – we’ll try to share the experience thru posts.
Sounds like so much fun. I may have to try to attend next year!
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