I've been blogging about children's books for four years and have read countless posts about everyone's experience at BEA. This year, instead of envying those able to attend, I decided to finally experience the craziness for myself and believe me, it's crazy. Overwhelming at first, you quickly realize how to navigate the Javits Center and if you come as I did with an excel spreadsheet itinerary in hand, the amount of activities you can fit into one day is pretty impressive.
It kicked off with a Children's Author Breakfast, where the original WNBA, the Women’s National Book Association awarded Seattle’s Queen Anne Books a 2011 Pannell Award, recognizing the bookseller for stimulating, promoting and encouraging children’s and young people’s interest in books. I knew right away this was a room full of people who eat, sleep and breathe books. But that was only the beginning as master of ceremonies Julianne Moore, actress and author of Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever; Katherine Paterson, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Brian Selznick, author of Wonderstruck (clad in the shiniest red shoes ever); Sarah Dessen, author of What Happened to Goodbye; and Kevin Henkes, author of Little White Rabbit and Junonia all stepped onstage.
As if the breakfast wasn't fulfulling enough, there was an entire day left for visiting publishers, authors autographing their newest books, and collecting free Advance Reading Copies. Yes, many experienced BEA'ers come with rolling suitcases just to load up. Although I heeded the advice not to grab every book available, it was impossible not to leave without a backpack full of picture books and novels and I have the sore shoulder today because of it.
Some other fascinating parts of the day? A Guys Read: Thriller panel with Jon Scieszka, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, and Matt de la Pena. Nobody told Krosoczka that it was about their collection of short stories, so he hit the stage in red pleather and one glistening glove, ala Michael Jackson. Too funny! The authors shared their insight about creating lifelong readers and getting boys to read. I thought Scieszka made an excellent point when he said their goal isn't just on reluctant readers, but all readers and he stressed the original premise of the Guys Read initiative that young guys enjoy reading most when they have reading they can enjoy, something each author on the panel strives for everyday.
If you've never attended BEA, it's an exhilarating experience and will definitely give you the bigger scope when it comes to the world of publishing. As an author, it was amazing to see all of the possibilities available, how the market works, what publishers are looking for, how publishers market their books, and just how big the industry really is. You'll easily acquire knowledge about the industry, get inspired and approach your writing, so that it will hopefully be you at the autograph booth signing your latest bestseller at a future BEA.
It was inspiring being surrounded by others who love the industry and love books as much as I do and as Kevin Henkes said when it comes to books, "We love them, we need them and we know it!"
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