Ten Reasons You Should Go To BEA

3. It’s in New York City! Where else can you find so many interesting people packed into one place like sardines? (The Javitz Center at 8:59a.m. doesn’t count) Or eat a gourmet hamburger dinner at 11:00p.m., stroll into CVS at 4:30 in the morning or stay in a space-agey hotel with a door less bathroom?

<– MG and I stayed at the Yotel.

 Our “cabin” was the size of a shoebox with a bed that magically transformed into a couch at the touch of a button – way cool!

And this was our door less bathroom. Not cool.  –>

 Fun Bookish Fact: The Yotel reminded me of Beth Revis’ “Across the Universe” series and I found out that she actually stayed here and wrote several scenes from “Shades of Earth” (book 3).

It’s completely legal for a dude wearing nothing more than a cowboy hat and a speedo to stand on the corner in Times Square and belt out country music. Really. People even line up to have their picture taken with him.

If you’ve never been to NYC before or don’t get there often, I suggest adding an extra day or two to get in some sight-seeing. MG and I did this and were able to see ALL THE THINGS! Okay, so not, “all”, but a LOT!  Most of the touristy places like Central Park, the Empire State Building, 9/11 Memorial, Magnolia Bakery and even some exciting ones too, like the set of Spiderman 2.

4. Authors, Bloggers, and Booknerds, oh my! It was so fun being able to put a face with a twitter avatar. Author Bria Quinlan came down from Boston to spend the day with MG and I on Monday and we all had lunch with Christina from A Reader of Fictions and fellow YABC Editor. From there, we braved 5th Avenue, the Apple Store and meandered through Central Park before topping our day off with a delicious treat from the Plaza. 

BEA began on Wednesday for those with Media passes and it was fun to learn how twitter and Google Plus can enhance the bookish experience. We also had lunch with Christina, Steph from Cuddlebuggery, her friend Andreya and Author Trisha Leigh.

Then the fun really began… (Word of advice: If the Javitz is a giant pinball machine, you will be the silver ball that gets bounced around if you don’t know what you are doing.)

Between the booth signings, the autographing area and waiting in line, you meet so many people, it’s all kinds of awesome!

This is what controlled chaos looks like.

5. Galley drops. What is a galley drop?  That’s when a publisher puts out a hot ticket item – it can be a book, a big red bag or a sticker. (I’m joking about the sticker.) Here’s an example of what happens when a galley drops.

Me: *wandering through the booths and sees a sudden stampede of people*  What’s going on?

Blogger: *races past* BIG RED GALLEY DROP! BIG RED GALLEY DROP!

Me: What’s the big red—ouch!

Blogger 2: WHY ARE YOU JUST STANDING THERE?! GO GET YOUR BIG RED BAG!

Me: *starts to panic* Is the big red bag filled with money or books?

Blogger 3: *gives me the stink eye* NO, BUT OMG IT’S FREE! GOGOGO!

6. Power Reader Day. Power Readers are those folks who pay to come in on Saturday and while most of them are rational, book-loving people, there are a few that kick the whole BEA experience up a notch or two, or ten. They haven’t been there for the past few days so they don’t know that you can’t wait until the last minute to line up for a signing. I mean, you can, but the chances of you getting a book is slim to not happening. 

A few them also need to be reminded that the floor of the Javitz is not a football field. This was especially true of the guy who felt compelled to demonstrate his ability to take down a would-be opponent when he tackled me as I waited in line at a booth signing. I happened to be standing next to a pile of free books (my bad) and he wanted one. I would have gladly stepped out of his way or even handed him one if he had asked. Thankfully, the woman behind me grabbed ahold of my arm and kept me upright but once I regained my bearings, I looked Mr. Power Reader in the eye and told him he needed to calm.down. He shot me a dirty look, snatched his book up and stalked off.  

7. NYC Transportation. When I say you do a lot of walking at BEA, I really mean, you don’t sit down, like ever. To do so, is dangerous because you might not get back up again. If you don’t feel like walking or you can’t because you have more blisters than you can count, you can always hop on the subway, a bus or take a taxi. 

Warning: Riding in the back of taxi might require the use of a barf bag or a stiff drink once you’ve reached your destination.

See Mom? I didn’t die on the subway. However, a couple of buses tried to take me out in the crosswalk but MG saved me. 

 We even got to hang with YABC Editor and The Book Cellarx, Erica! (L) 

“Chicken skewer?” 

(Erica and I went to dinner on Friday and I got carded. It was awesome.)

10b. TMI Party. After the Rooftop Party, MG and I hopped in a taxi and raced across town to The Mortal Instruments City of Bones party where we had just enough time to snap some pictures of the movie props, gets a couple of runes and take in the atmosphere. We both agreed that Jill (another awesome YABC Editor) would have LOVED being there!