BEA Wrap Up 1 of 2


I debated if I even wanted to write this post considering all of the recent drama surrounding BEA ARCs and the bloggers who have them but I decided to go ahead anyway. The point of BEA and other events is to share the love and excitement of books with others so that’s what I’m going to do, not brag but share my excitement over a great event, awesome bloggers, and yes beautiful, precious books. I will be doing a day by day recap divided into two posts, stop back Friday for Part 2.

Day 1 in NYC, Tuesday

Krista (Krista’s Dust Jacket) and I drove to NJ, parked, and took the train into the city. We checked into the hotel and went to hunt down Pie Face as recommended by Karen (For What It’s Worth) after BEA 2013. We then met our first roomie, Anna (Annaberry Reads). I was so excited to meet her in person for the first time and she’s just as awesome as I expected :). Next came our 4th roomie, Val (Stuck in Books), and then we all headed out to meet up with Tabitha (Not Yet Read) to have dinner at the cheesiest, touristyist (that’s a word right?!) restaurant, Jekyll & Hyde. I say it was cheesy but there were some fun parts, like the mad scientist and the bathroom which was hidden in a hallway of books….come on, what book lover wouldn’t check that out!?



On the way back to the hotel I totes paid to have my picture taken with a Minion...how sad is it that he's taller than me...it's a short shit problem I suppose ;). I also spotted a peep show (get it? Peep show? Hahaha).

 

 
 
And if I ever have to live in the city this would wind up being one of my favorite places, especially at night. I say 'have to live' because I'm not a city girl and would never voluntarily live there...no offense to any city lovers out there.
 

Day 2 in NYC, Wednesday
BloggerCON Day!

This was my first experience with BloggerCON and I THINK I may need to pick my panels better next year. It’s not that the panels were bad per se but just not right for me. I’ll pay closer attention to panel descriptions next year if I attend. The post BloggerCON celebration included some mingling, books, and entertainment provided by Tiger Beat. *Sings* “I want candy…..I want candy”

me and Tabitha

 
Krista, I have to say that I never thought I'd ever be considered the sane one in our friendship (LOL) but the below pic proves that I just may be.



Afterwards, Anna and I made our way to the Teen Author Carnival event. We were late and missed Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl :( and a decent chunk of the first panel BUT I’m very glad we caught the Us vs Them panel with Jennifer L. Armentrout, Julie Kagawa, Cara Lynn Shultz, Claire Legrand, and Lenore Appelhans. I took two books to have signed, bought three, and was lucky enough to win two.

 


Day 3 in NYC, Thursday
BEA Day 1

First thing in the morning included gawking at the gorgeous banners hanging in the Javit's, waiting 2.5 hours for the show room floor to open, last minute schedule revisions, and then the mad rush into what can only be called book heaven.


Highlights of the Day:

-          HarlequinTeen signing with Jennifer L. Armentrout, Julie Kagawa, Dawn Metcalf, Alexandra Adnornetto, and Adi Alsaid…so much awesome at one time!

-         Meeting Amy Plum because really, when am I ever going to have the chance to see her again?!

-          Meeting Amanda Brice because she killed me…fictionally of course!

First pic is Krista and Amy Plum, the second blurry pic of Amanda Brice and me :)
Books of the Day:

 
After a short rest at the hotel we headed to dinner at John’s Pizzeria...good pizza, gorgeous building, and fabulous company.

 (Left to right) Anna, Rebekka, Krista, and Val

Then it was time for the dreaded mid-week trip to the car. Lugging a suitcase full of books down flights of stairs because the escalators had been turned off is not something I would recommend! But we survived and collapsed into bed right after the adventure.
 
I'm trying to keep it short(ish) so that's it for this recap post, stop back Friday for Part 2.
 
A few things to expect in my Part 2 recap:
  • BEA Days 2 & 3
  • Some minor fangirling over Chelsea Cain
  • Photos of BJ Novak and Cary Elwes *Sigh*
  • A few more NYC pics
  • A quick shout out to some bloggers I saw this year
See you Friday!
 

8 comments

  1. It was so marvelous meeting and getting to hang out with you Jen! If you ever make it out to my area of California you must stay at my house. Thanks again for the teamwork!

    There is drama around the blogospere lately? I must not have run across the blogs with details of that. It's about who gets the books and who doesn't? I'm so confused by angry blogging drama like that. I think almost anyone can attend so I don't see where the issue is there. And if the drama is about who gets ARCs mailed to them from publishers, I hate that feeling of self entitlement that some bloggers get as if they are owed these "free" books. We may get these books for free, but they cost the publishers a lot of money to make and they don't have a lot of money to begin with what with the publishing industry suffering the way it is. It really upsets me to think people might make a drink about it when usually the ones that are sent books started out the same way with not getting any books and it usually takes a few years to build up a relationship with the publicists in order to get a steady stream of review books. Sorry I'm ranting now aren't I? Lol

    Hugs! Great wrap up post.

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  2. It was great getting to spend time with you again this year :)

    I think the drama was more about BEA attendees getting more arc then we'll ever read. And that we're greedy because of that. Along those lines. I think the post has since been deleted.

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  3. Wish I had made it out to the Teen Author Carnival - sounds like it was great!!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    Replies
    1. The panel with JLA and JKagawa was definitely the highlight if the carnival.

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