I was probably the only human being at BEA who managed not to snag a slew of ARCs. I was focused on my author events, and even when I had those behind me and devoted a day to being a fangirl, it was all too overwhelming. For those going next year, here are some tips I learned only after the fact:
- Get there first thing in the morning when the doors open. Publishers are more likely to have books at the booths.
- Get the BEA app for your mobile phone so you can get alerts about ARC drops at the booths.
- Leave yourself plenty of time to stand in line for book signings.
- If all else fails, go ahead and ask for the ARC at the booth.
- Don’t make a fool of myself at the panel with Scott Westerfeld.
- Grab a bunch of ARCs for AYAP readers.
 |
| Lisa Gail Green, Katharyn Sinelli, and Leslie Sullivan Rose |
 |
| Martina Boone, Shannon Greenland, Holly Black, Kimberley Griffiths Little |
 |
| Shannon Greenland, Kimberley Griffiths Little, Ellen Hopkins, Claudia Gray, Martina Boone, Tracy Clark |
We headed over to the Paris Hotel to meet up with fellow YASeriesInsiders.com authors Tracy Clark and Claudia Gray, along with another of my favorite authors, Ellen Hopkins. We had to rush through it so that we could make it to the Printz Award ceremony to listen to Michael Sedgwick’s acceptance speech and hear him and the other honorees discuss their books and their writing processes. Then there was a chocolate fountain at the reception afterwards, so all in all, it was a perfect night.
 |
| Michael Sedgwick accepting the 2014 Printz Award for Midwinterblood |
 |
| Compulsion on the convention floor! |
One of the biggest pleasures on Saturday morning was the chance to walk around, pick up books (did I mention forty pounds of books?) and run into people I’ve been wanting to meet. This is Hannah McBride from YADC.
 |
| Hannah McBride and Martina Boone |
 |
| YASeriesInsiders Martina Boone and Tracy Clark |
Running into Tracy Clark again, we found we had clearly gotten the memo on wearing stripes. Then it was time to head back over to the Wynn, which is absolutely gorgeous. It’s all decked out with balloons and carousels made from fresh flowers.
 |
| Life-size flower carousel at the Wynn |
 |
| Signing Compulsion before the panel |
That was followed by the debut author panel moderated by Scott Westerfeld. Talk about intimidating. Not only was I awkward because, well, Scott Westerfeld, right? But also, being on the panel with Shannon (S.E. Greene/Killer Instinct), Jason Reynolds (When I Was the Greatest), CJ Flood (Infinite Sky), Brendan Kiely (The Gospel of Winter) and Scott Westerfeld (Afterworlds) was an incredible honor. These writers have some serious chops. And they also managed to be funny and charming.
After the panel, we got a chance to meet the librarians who had been in the audience at a series of round-tables. It was especially a treat to get to meet Jaime Arnold from Two Chicks on Books–along with her mother. They were delightful, and very kind–as were all the librarians.
 |
| Martina Boone, Shannon Greenland, Jason Reynolds, CJ Flood, Brendan Kiely and Scott Westerfeld |
After that it was off to dinner with our publishers and the authors from the panel. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to take any photos there because I left my phone in the room–which made it even worse when I finally got to meet Laini Taylor, Jim DiBartolo, and Maggie Stiefvater afterwards! AAAAH. Cue more awkward fangirl moments. The BIGGEST awkward fangirl moments. But looking on the bright side, I figured I had now met all my favorite, favorite authors and humiliated myself sufficiently that I can figure the worst is over.
I tested that theory at the Simon & Schuster dessert party with Judy Blume and Judith Viorst. And I didn’t physically drool on either one of them, so that was a bonus.
Overall, it was an epic weekend, and affirmed for me yet again how incredibly lucky I am to have ended up at Pulse. Mara Anastas, Mary Marotta, Lucille Restino, Michelle Leo, Candace Greene, Katy Hershberger, Anthony Parisi, and the support team both at ALA and back in New York made the trip truly wonderful. (THANK YOU!)
THIS WEEK’S GIVEAWAY
I’ve got a copy of Maggie Stiefvater’s SINNER for you, complete with her signature and the hand drawn book wrapper she did just for preorders and special events.
Sinner
by Maggie Stiefvater
released 7/1/14
Scholastic Press
A standalone companion book to the internationally bestselling Shiver Trilogy.
Sinner follows Cole St. Clair, a pivotal character from the #1 New York Times bestselling Shiver Trilogy. Everybody thinks they know Cole’s story. Stardom. Addiction. Downfall. Disappearance. But only a few people know Cole’s darkest secret — his ability to shift into a wolf. One of these people is Isabel. At one point, they may have even loved each other. But that feels like a lifetime ago. Now Cole is back. Back in the spotlight. Back in the danger zone. Back in Isabel’s life. Can this sinner be saved?
