BEA report
So, BEA. BEA stands for Book Expo America, an annual convention for booksellers, authors, educators, and anyone else who loves books in New York’s Javits Center. For higher-ups in the industry it’s a chance to schmooze and make business connections; for bookworms, it’s an unique opportunity to snag free galleys (aka advanced reader’s copies) that can also be signed if the authors are around.
Last year I distinctly remember resolving to myself, at my old job’s weekly department meeting, to one day make it to BEA. There were about 2 passes per department, and my old boss asked if anyone wanted to go-but her pointed glances around the room made clear that she only meant senior publicists, not assistants. This time around, in my new job, I not only attended, but I also helped represent my work’s booth for a full day. I felt a bit out of place, since I literally just started, but a cool part was that I actually got to talk to some media folks who were interested in reviewing my work’s books.
But onto the fun stuff: the swag! At first, since my bookshelves at home are already groaning from my towering TBR piles, I was really skeptical that I “needed” to pick up more books. But then I found some of my favorite imprints and went to town: Bloomsbury had a wide selection of YA books, and I kept going back to Hachette because they had a constant stream of giveaways. As for author appearances, none really struck my fancy enough to go get a signed copy, but I did see Cornelia Funke, the German YA author; Tony Hawk; and Kevin J. Anderson… I think that’s about it, but I was also working so my mind wasn’t exactly focusing 100% on that. Dr. Ruth randomly stopped by my work’s booth, and all I could think of was that she’s the little old lady who talks about sex a lot.
Last but not least, here are the books I picked up. I have no idea whether they’re good or not, but they were free, and what bookworm can resist a free giveaway?
A few books didn't have covers up yet, so I've posted links instead:
Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride
Where the Truth Lies by Jessica Waxman
Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein