Just like Eva Gabor, New York is where I'd rather be!

Ah, New York in May.  There’s something in the air; it could be the flowers popping up, the scents of spring mingling with the scent of the subway, mild weather giving way to something hot at the Javits Center … hot-off-the-presses HOT!  It’s time for Book Expo America, the annual gathering of publishing professionals, booksellers, librarians, authors, and, yes, bloggers, who are eager to get the latest news on the industry.

BEA is taking place over three days, May 25 – 27, 2010, followed by a separate one-day conference custom-made for book bloggers.  Book Blogger Con will be held on Friday, May 28, at the same venue; the ability to service more bloggers, badge bundling, and exclusive news and events are some of the great benefits of the affiliation.

The team coordinating Book Blogger Con has put together a blog tour of a dozen or so people who attended BEA 2009, or other industry events, and asked us to share some of our experiences and offer tips and advice on how to make the most of the program. 

Beth F from Beth Fish Reads was the first stop on the tour yesterday, offering her “Top Ten BEA Tips.”  When I read the list I thought, “uh oh, I’m in trouble … this list is very similar to my list.”   Beth F graciously gave me permission to add to, comment on, and even spoof her list; yes, there’s some original content here, too!

10. Don’t be shy!  One of the great benefits of attending BEA last year was meeting so many of my “imaginary friends.”  My children were more than a little leery of the plan, not understanding that this was a professional event, and choosing to focus on the “I met them on the internet” part of the story. My 13-year-old told me, “Mom!  I’ve taken the D.A.R.E. program at school, and know all about internet safety; what if “Beth Fish Reads” turns out to be “Sam Squirrel Writes”!?

9. Practice up on your text messaging.  It is impossible to hear a phone ring in the exhibit halls of the Javits, never mind carry on a phone conversation!  You know the expression “a hive of activity”?  It was made for a place like the Javits Center during BEA … buzz, buzz, buzz.  And if you choose to Tweet, even better, then everyone (those at BEA and those following at home) can share in the excitement.  I’m guessing #BEA10 will be the hashtag of choice.

8. Carry water and a snack.  And a pack of hand wipes.  You can get these little reclosable packs at CVS (or Duane Reade when you’re in NY).  If you’re from out of town, you might want to try a swampy dog for lunch; guaranteed there’ll be a truck parked in front of the convention center.

7. Get up early for tickets.  Last year, each attendee was limited to 2 ticketed signings per day (they scanned the badges to keep track).  As Yoda says, “choose wisely.”  I saw some “Yankee swapping” going on with the tickets, kind of like those neighborhood holiday parties where you trade gifts througout the evening.  Also, there were large acrylic donation boxes at the beginning of the autographing lines, with a suggested donation of (I think?) $2 per signed book; money collected was donated to a literacy charity at the end of the event.  You may want to have a fistful of singles, or even to write a check ahead of time to “cover” yourself, if you’re so inclined.

6. Save your quarters/ buy a MetroCard.  I purchased a MetroCard to cover the few bus and subway trips I took.  It was a great excuse to register for BEA 2010, “But, J, I have $1.35 left on my MetroCard, I have to go to BEA this year, or we’ll just be throwing that money away!”  Also, I highly recommend a Starbucks card – easy in, easy out, no fumbling for money before you’ve had your morning latte/chai/jolt of choice.

5. Look for tote bags.  I’m not ashamed to say that I’m the ultimate bag lady (see swampy dog photo for evidence)!  Based on experience (ahem!), you may want to pack from home a small waterproof or closed-top bag.  Otherwise you might find yourself pulling a clean/empty trash bag out of the garbage because it has started to rain and you don’t want your books to get wet.  And your friends will laugh at you.  I’m just saying, it’s been known to happen.  Wheeled carts are a great idea, but, they’re not allowed.

4. Study the program.  There is A LOT going on!  There are panels and presentations at scheduled times throughout the day, book signings (some will be publicized, some you might just happen upon), and the exhibit hall (with row after row of exhibitors … did I mention there are two floorsof exhibits?!?).  Lover of office supplies that I am, I also pack a yellow highlighter to mark my dog-earred program pages.  The highlighter also comes in handy when you spot a favorite rock icon and want him to sign a part of your body.  Truly.

3. Be polite: ask.  Oh, so, true!  You don’t want to be Grabby Gert or Stockpile Stu!  It’s easy to get that wide-eyed “kid in a candy store” look, and but it’s harder to realize that “your eyes are bigger than your stomach” (I’m a liberal mixer of metaphors).  BEA is not an all-you-can-eat buffet of books … it just looks that way!

2. Bring business cards.  Lots and lots of business cards.  Yes, it’s fun to exchange with other bloggers (“I love your card!  Oh, this is so cute!), and you’ll want to have plenty to share with others when you introduce yourself (to a publisher’s rep on the exhibit hall floor, to the person standing in line next to you at a book signing, to others at the table if you choose to attend a ticketed meal event).   A badge holder/lanyard will allow you to have easy access to business cards, a pen, and those Starbucks and Metro cards.

1. Shoes.  Comfy trumps cute every time.  J says that my comfy shoes look like beach shoes; he may be right, but with a size 10 foot (there, I said it; I have huge feet!), and a short husband (ha! I’m half an inch taller than Mr. Beach Shoes!), I have no need for heels.  Can you tell which shoe is which?

bonus tracks: A … You might want a camera.  I have a camera in my phone, which will be great for twitpics of the various BEA events.  I’m also bringing a lightweight/compact digital camera which will allow me to take more photos (with zoom) as well as short video clips.  I was able to record Steven Tyler, Clarence Clemons, and Peter Yarrow last year.  They’re as choppy as videos from the Blair Witch Project, but I’m glad I have them!

B … It’s OK to be a tourist.  Enjoy New York while you’re there.  The schedules of the two conventions are packed, but take time to admire the architecture of the city, visit a bookstore (there are several that have been highlighted in Spotlight on Bookstores that I must get to this May!), gawk up at the gorgeous ceiling in the restored Grand Central Terminal.  New York has a lot to offer, enjoy it!

C … Know where you’re going.  Get a map (many hotels have simple city maps, or you can pick up a guide ahead of time).  When we lived in Connecticut I took the train often enough into New York; our line went to Grand Central.  One time, I took our then-8-year-old daughter in to the American Girl Place for the whole tea party celebration; after our mother-daughter day out, we were heading to New Jersey to spend a few days with J’s sister and her family.  Did I mention that I was 8 months pregnant?  And it was HOT?  We hopped in a cab to Penn Station (where trains to NJ depart), I paid the cab drive, got out, and burst into tears.  He had dropped us at Madison Square Garden!  You see, I didn’t know that Penn Station is under MSG.  It’s funny in retrospect, but not at the time. 

I hope to meet many of you in New York in May!  I’ll be the one with the bags and the comfy shoes!