BookExpo America 2011: Here I Come!

Soon, I will be flying to New York to attend BookExpo America and the Book Blogger Convention. This will be my second year attending, and I am getting more excited about attending as each day passes. Book Expo America is a three-day trade show and convention that is the largest gathering of authors, publishers, book sellers, librarians, other book industry insiders and media in North America, and it runs this year from May 23-May 26. The Book Blogger Convention will be held on May 27, and the last time I checked, over 350 bloggers, authors and book industry insiders were planning on attending.

My favorite part of BookExpo is the carnival-like atmosphere–I love the enthusiasm of the libriarians, book sellers, and book bloggers, rooting through their bags of books and comparing their treasured finds with others; the intensity that goes into the formulation of battle plans to gather as many of the 775+ author autographs as possible; the flashy gimicks and swag vendors, publishers, book sellers and even the occasional authors use to lure in the curious. There is nothing else in this world than 22,000+ book lovers together in one place! It is so much fun to be surrounded by intellectuals, book nerds (I use that term only as a term of endearment) and devoted fans, and I love finding new authors to fall in love with and new books to devour. Plus, it is wonderful to meet the other bloggers and the industry insiders who I’ve gotten to know via email. Last year I decided to attend BookExpo at the last minute, so I spent most of my time at the convention center wandering around and discovering new authors that way. This year, I’m trying to research every single author (You should see the checklist I made last night), so that I don’t miss anyone fabulous, like I did last year.

Are you planning on attending either or both conventions? Let me know if you are going–you never know if we’ll run into one another. Here I am–just imagine me with bangs, as I just got my hair cut.

I had such a great time last year at BookExpo, I’m now worried that I will have less fun this year, as if my “fun luck” is somehow limited and running out. I know that sounds really stupid, but I’m in that sort of honest and open mood after being awake for the past 23 hours. I’ve already overbooked myself with too many events, so I’m worried I’m going to feel exhausted again this year, which is what I am trying to avoid by over-planning this year. I’m not even following my own advice, as posted in my 20 Tips to Survive Book & the Book Blogger Convention. I know, shame on me, but I just can’t help it.

On Monday, I am waking up around 2 a.m., and by 10:30 a.m., I will be in New York. I’m dropping off my bag at my hotel, dashing over to Javits to check in, take a look at the New Title Showcase, and grab a book bag. Then I’m off to attend the Random House Reader’s Circle Tea, and I’ll probably do some sort of sight-seeing afterwards.

Tuesday is my free day, so I’ll be immersing myself in all Javits has to offer me, including ticketed author signings by Temple Grandin and Eoin Colfer. I’m dying to meet Temple Grandin, since I have a stepson with Asperger Syndrome. Grandin truly is an inspiration to me, and she was just so darn happy at the Golden Globes that I think she’ll be a blast to talk to.

Wednesday I start my day off with the Author Breakfast, where Mindy Kaling, Diane Keaton, Jefferey Eugenides and Charlaine Harris will hopefully entertain the hell out of me. My step children are thrilled that I’m going to meet Kelly from The Office, and I have repeatedly been instructed to ask Mindy ”Would you like some googi-googi?” (Yeah, that is not going to happen!) I’ll be spending my day wandering the convention center and meeting many great authors, including several of my favorites. That evening HarperCollins in throwing their Celebration of Book Bloggers event, which will probably be my favorite party this year, as I had a ball with them last year.

Thursday is my long day, as I have author signings and booths to visit, and then I might sneak out to do a boat tour. I’m bringing my fancy camera, and hope to be able to get some great shots. Then, I have the Book Blogger Convention from 3-5 p.m. which is always fun, if not always a wealth of information. Afterwards, I’ll be attending a Sweet Get Together for dinner and dessert at Serendipity 3 that JKSCommunications is hosting.

Friday is another long day for me, as check-in and breakfast begins at the Book Blogger Convention at 7:15 a.m. This year, they are mixing things up, and I love the idea of their build your own swag bag, as well as their speed author dating sessions that run from 3-5 p.m. Since I’m only familiar with two of the authors that will participating in speed dating, it’ll be entertaining to get to know the other authors so quickly. That evening, if I’m not too tired, (I’m getting old, don’t make fun of me!) I’ll be attending the Planned Television Arts blogger party.

I want to thank the kind people who have generously donated to my BookExpo fund. Let me take a moment to thank bloggers Jean Has Been Shopping, GingerMandy, The Kitchen Prescription, and The Literary Dilettantes. I’d also like to thank Reading With Robin ,  JKS Communications, Virtual Author Book Tours, authors Susan McBride, Jennette Fulda and Jana Oliver and my blog readers, Kristen Papucci, Summer Waldrop, Traci Sutherland, and Frederico Jayme Nasser. I wouldn’t be able to attend without their help! In case you are interested in donating to my BookExpo fund, or at least helping spread the word for my financial need, feel free to read my Sponsor Me post, or my full plea for sponsorship, Will You Sponsor Me For The 2011 BookExpo America And Book Blogger Convention This May?

To read more about my experience at the 2010 BookExpo America and the Book Blogger Convention, please read the following posts.

My first impression of BEA

Part 1: What I did

Part 2: Who I Met/What I saw

Part 3: What I got

Part 4: Why I went

I almost forgot–If you are a fan of great books and authors, make sure to stop by my blog BookExpo week for several author posts and giveaways. Shana Mahaffey and Jessie Sholl will even be stopping by and responding to reader comments the day their posts go live. Since they write about Dissociative Identity Disorder and Compulsive Hoarding, you might see some interesting discussions. Rachel Shukert is so funny–I know you’ll enjoy her quest post as well.

• Win 1 of 3 copies of Everything Is Going to Be Great: An Underfunded and Overexposed European Grand Tour by Rachel Shukert, beginning on 5/23.
• Win 1 of 2 copies of Sounds Like Crazy by Shana Mahaffey, beginning on 5/24.
• Win 1 copy of Dirty Secret: A Daughter Comes Clean About Her Mother’s Compulsive Hoarding by Jessie Sholl, beginning on 5/26.

I’ve also got some existing giveaways that will end during (or just after) BookExpo.

• Win 1 of 2 sets of 500 Business Cards by Prinly.com, ending on 5/28.
• Win 1 copy of The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry by Jon Ronson, ending on 5/26.
• Win 1 of 3 copies of Seeds: One Man’s Serendipitous Journey to Find the Trees That Inspired Famous American Writers from Faulkner to Kerouac, Welty to Wharton by Richard Horan, ending on 5/24.