For What It's Worth


Friday, May 23, 2014

Past BEA Wrap-Up posts! All in one convenient location!

You wonderful peeps around the blogosphere have managed to dig up and tweet out my ancient BEA blog posts from the past few years of attending. You all seem to find them helpful so I thought I would get off my a** and collect all the old links in one place.

Keep in mind that each year BEA is a little different, so this is more to help newbies get a feel for what it looks like, maybe pick up a few tips and see what there is to do/eat around the city while you’re there.

BEA 2014:

Wrap-Up post - Books
Wrap-Up post - Food

BEA 2013:

Wrap-Up post – books
BEA -the food p*rn

BEA 2012:

Wrap-Up - Part One
Wrap-Up - Part Deux
Wrap-Up - NYC & Food

BEA 2011:

Pre-BEA Tips & Advice
Wrap-Up Part 1
Wrap-Up Part 2 - Books & Swag
Wrap-Up Part 3 - The Food
Wrap-Up Part 4 - This & That (bookstores, cupcakes)

BEA 2010:

Wrap-Up Part One – books & swag
Wrap-Up Part Two – pics from inside, author breakfast
Wrap-Up Part 3 – authors & signings
Wrap-Up Part 4 (the city)

Things change but a few basic bits of advice remain the same every year…

Wear comfortable shoes!!!!

I know it’s hard & believe me – I learned this lesson myself (the hard way) – YOU DO NOT NEED ALL THE BOOKS. You will be overwhelmed when you get home and slip into a reading of slump of epic proportions. Have fun – grab those books – but think about what you are taking first. Don’t grab just to grab!

DON’T BE AN ASSHOLE. – That kind of goes with the tip above. Don’t be so greedy that you’re pushing people over (I’ve seen someone get knocked face down into a pile of books just to grab a book). Be patient. If you miss a book drop – connect with the lovely people at the publishers booth about possibly sending it your way later. You will not DIE without that book!

Relax! Relax! Relax! Have fun & make lifelong friends!

For more details check out the Tips & Advice post from 2011

21 comments:

  1. I've lost count of the number of times I've expressed my jealousy over such a wonderful event. How I wish we had something like this here in the UK. Oh well, perhaps one day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There has to be something there! Or maybe there will be because these book cons are really taking off. We keep getting more.

      Delete
  2. Too many books = reading slump. YESS!!! It does! Isn't that the weirdest thing? Actually, I did pretty well with books last year and I STILL have some on my shelf that I haven't read. *sigh* And comfy shoes are a must. Not necessarily tennies (well, by Saturday, I'll be in my sneakers but whatevs) but shoes that have some support and don't chafe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's weird but true. You think you're set for life but then you don't want to read any of it.

      Delete
  3. I've only attempted one book con so far, but I had an absolute blast! Comfy shoes are a must, and LOL on your "don't be an asshole" tip. Touche. Hehe

    ReplyDelete
  4. Quote:
    "I’ve seen someone get knocked face down into a pile of books just to grab a book".

    Uh. *retires safely into her Arnchair BEA*

    Have fun and keep us posted...as usual! Did I ever mention I enjoy living vicariously? ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It gets better every year. I didn't witness any bad behavior last year. BEA & the publishers get better organized all the time.

      I do enjoy all the armchair posts that I read when I get home.

      Delete
  5. I agree on comfy shoes. Also, bring a snack. Have a plan for signings but stay flexible. Talk to all the people in line -- what else are you going to do and it's a great way to meet people.
    Can't wait to see you!
    Jen @ YA Romantics

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, to all of that! I hope I get to see a little more than 5 minutes before we get in lol

      Delete
  6. Don't be an asshole! lol You would think that goes without saying, but man, so many people are jerks!

    I love your food porn the best. Can't wait to see what you come up with this year!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You should add... take me! ;)

    Have a lot of fun!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. love this list. Have fun and anywhere you need comfortable shoes :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ha! That tip about being nice cracks me up. Sounds like an exciting yet overwhelming experience.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly! It's so crazy but still a lot of fun.

      Delete
  10. Yes, make lifelong friends, like I have with you. :) See you next week!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Such a helpful post! Can't make it this time, but hoping to go next year! And the comfortable shoes is so, so very important! I thought I had comfortable shoes last time, but could barely walk afterwards! And I was shocked that people actually shove books into your hands! Wow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah - it's wild! I need a vacation after BEA lol

      Delete