BEA Tips and Tricks

A few years ago, I wrote up a bunch of tips and tricks.

Here they are:

2013 Tips:

Last Minute Tips

Food Ideas and How to get around the bag rule

Your Pitch: why you're important to talk to

Making your lists

2014 Tips:

One Week Way: Get your face out there!

Dos and Don'ts

On letting go of your plans

And here's my face. Say Hi if you see me :)

BEA 2015

Happy BEA month - I'm getting excited about seeing old friends, new friends, and learning about upcoming books. In the past I've shared my tips with you, instead of rehashing them, I'm just going to link up. Check them out. 

2013 Tips:

Last Minute Tips

Food Ideas and How to get around the bag rule

Your Pitch: why you're important to talk to

Making your lists

2014 Tips:

One Week Way: Get your face out there!

Dos and Don'ts

On letting go of your plans

2015 Books:

Here's the PW list

Nicole made her awesome list:

Nicole Brinkley @nebrinkley · May 1

Your reminder that I have a masterlist of all things #yalit at #BEA15: http://bit.ly/bea15ya  Constantly updating!

If you're going to BEA, I hope to see you there!

If you have more questions, I'm happy to answer them. I've been going for years.

BEA tips (5)

Last year I ran a series of advice on things I learned from attending Book Expo America and this year I'll add to it. I'm officially going and I'm super excited about it!

It's a week away! Get your face out there

A lot of peoples' names I might not recognize, but I know your blog name. Add your blog name to your name tag. Or your twitter handle.  I spend a lot of time reading people's name tags. 

Add a photo of yourself to your blog. 

Confession: Online, I'm much more out-going, but in person I'm pretty shy. There are times that I feel silly going up tom someone and starting a conversation because I know them online. 

I'm trying my best to get over that. I know that it's a book expo and everyone there loves books just as much as I do, so it shouldn't be hard...but it is. 

This is me (my hair is a little shorter now), say Hi if you see me, and I'll promise to do the same!

BEA tips (4)

Last year I ran a series of advice on things I learned from attending Book Expo America and this year I'll add to it. I'm officially going and I'm super excited about it!

Inside BEA:

Do: Take pictures with your favorite authors or bookish friends

Do: Stop your favorite authors on the floor to chat for a minute

Do: Chat with people in line near you, odds are you'll be seeing them in lines for the next few days

Do: Have a book with you, sometimes the lines are really long

Do: Pack some food/snacks. While there is food in the center, it's usually fast food and pretty pricey. Snacks will give you more time before the hangry feeling sets in

Do: Bring a rolling suitcase to check (Cost $3, but worth it)

Do: Have the best time ever! 

Don't: Forget that the wireless is crap in the building - turn it off so your phone battery doesn't die.

Don't: Grab more than one of the same ARC - even if there's a huge pile. 

Don't: Push your way through the crowds to grab an ARC (politeness is always welcome)

Don't: Stop in the middle of the aisle to chat, it blocks people 

Outside BEA:

I don't know how people have the energy for this because at the end of the day (including the fabulous publisher parties and whatnot), I'm exhausted and just want to collapse in my room. But afterwards, I see people's blog talking about extra touristy things they did, places they visited, and shops they went to. I'm always jealous and amazed by these posts.

I would love to venture out more. Usually I stick pretty close to my hotel area, but maybe this year, I'll see something new.

Last year (and hopefully this year), I'll make a stop at Crumbs for some delicious treats!

So figure out your priorities and do what's right for you. 

Getting Ready for BEA: part 4

Now that BEA is officially here, the excitement is starting to grow! I'm so excited to talk with everyone about books and to meet new and old friends! I'll be sharing my tips each week until the big event! 

The last few things to talk about:

Phone: The wireless in the building is terrible - it will eat your battery. Double check that you have your charger because you WILL need it! Also think about taking the wireless capabilities off of your phone for the day. It will save your battery - somewhat. 

Manners: Don't forget these at home. It's hard when there are so many people, but we're all book people and we all just want to talk about books. Treat everyone with respect and don't push your way through. 

Fun: Have a blast there! It's meant to be fun. Yes it can be exhausting, but it's also like Christmas - getting to meet so many awesome people and talk about so many books!

Get your face out there: It's a week away! A lot of peoples' names I might not recognize, but I know your blog name. Add your blog name to your name tag. Add a photo of yourself to your blog:

This is me, say Hi if you see me, and I'll promise to do the same!

Getting Ready for BEA: Part 3

Now that BEA is officially here, the excitement is starting to grow! I'm so excited to talk with everyone about books and to meet new and old friends! I'll be sharing my tips each week until the big event! 

Food: While the convention center has a cafeteria and there are usually food trucks outside, be sure to plan a time for meals. I'm usually terrible about lunch because there are so many authors that I want to meet that it's hard to take the time to just sit down and relax. Plus the lines are long and it's hard to grab a seat. 

* bring snacks or a quick lunch you can eat in line I keep some food in my suitcase - just in case.

* if you're a librarian, there's a librarian lounge sponsored by SLJ/LJ. They have snacks. I duck in there for a pick bite to eat.

Bags: While rolling bags are NOT permitted within the exhibit hall, check your bag at the coat check. Trust me, this will save your back! Carry a small bag with you and when it gets full, empty it into your suitcase. 

Other book signings* take place around the city during this time.

This is from Richelle Mead's website:

Thursday, May 30 - New York City - 7pmBarnes and Noble - Union Square

33 E 17th St.
New York, NY 10003
*Event includes a panel of bestselling authors answering questions: Marie Lu, Richelle Mead, Rick Yancey, Andrea Cremer, Sarah Dessen
*A normal signing will follow the panel. I will sign up to four books per person--one personalized and the others just autographed. We'll do pictures if time permits.
*This is a public event. No tickets required.

*I'm sure there are more - but this is the one that I know about. If anyone knows of more, I'm happy to post them.

Outside BEA: If you've made a list of all the things you want to do within BEA, it's time to start making a list of things to do in New York. Are there tourist places you want to go? Make a list of them. I'm hoping to hit Crumbs. 

Getting Ready for BEA part 2

Now that BEA is officially here, the excitement is starting to grow! I'm so excited to talk with everyone about books and to meet new and old friends! I'll be sharing my tips each week until the big event! 

In case you missed it, over the weekend the list of Galleys came out. Last week I talked about making this list. I find Excel sheets are great. Write a list of books you're interested in reading, the publisher, and if you have a contact with that publisher. This will help you in the long run when talking with publishers about their books.

While it's nice to grab ARCs from the booths, it's great to network and talk with publishers. Come up with a few sentences about yourself:

Hi I'm Jennifer Rummel, a YA Librarian, and I write the blog YA Book Nerd. What books should I be aware of that's coming out this year?

It's short, sweet, and to the point. They might not recognize my blog or my name, but I've stated that I'm both a librarian and a blogger. Yes, they can find out that information by looking at my name tag, but it's more personable and I come across as confident. Also, it starts up the conversation. If you have a contact for the publisher, see if she/he is around and talk with them. 

Try not to be shy; I know this part is SUPER hard. I'm really shy, but these are book people - they like talking about books. This one or two liner also works when chatting with people in line. Last year, I exchanged cards with tons of people in line, which I loved so I could find them online after I got home. Start keeping track of people you meet: publishers, bloggers, and librarians. Strike up a conversation with them after the Expo.

See you next week for more tips!

Getting Ready for BEA: part 1

Now that BEA is officially here, the excitement is starting to grow! I'm so excited to talk with everyone about books and to meet new and old friends! I'll be sharing my tips each week until the big event! 

If this is your first time going, I have a few tips for you:

Start planning. Usually, some of my plans go out the window long before I leave BEA because I just can't get to everything. But it's great to have a plan and for the most part it works.

Try to plan:
Publishers you want to to with (names of contacts)
Books you want to talk to publishers about
ARCs you're interested in picking up
Authors you want to meet at their signings
Bloogers/Librarians you want to meet

Now's a great time to book checking on, creating, or printing more business cards. Lots of librarians/bloggers exchange cards during meetings in line. Make sure it as all your important information, plus if your a blogger, your blog logo. People might not recognize your name, but they could be readers of your blog.

See you next week for more tips!