Maria's BEA2014 Recap!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I attended BEA! Here's my recap!

Every year I actually consider not attending the Book Expo of America...And every year, it manages to draw me in. And every year, I am thrilled with my experiences. BEA2014 was no different as I met incredible people, publishers I've never heard of, books that make me wish I could read in my sleep and of course, the occasional celebrity here and there.

  

My time at BEA began on Thursday, May 29. But before that, I want to personally thank SimonTeen for inviting me to their Blogger Preview party. Unfortunately, I missed out to stay home with my sick son, but I hear from my fellow GCBloggers that it was incredible.

Lidia Bastianich

So, back to business. The first thing I had to do was grab an autograph for a very important person -- my Mama :) Lidia Bastianich is her all time favorite chef and when I found out she was signing her new children's book, Nonna Tell me a Story I just had to grab it! I was only the 2nd person in line and thrilled that my mother would be so happy.








Between the ten bags I now lugged with me everywhere, I headed over to my first celebrity spotting -- Neil Patrick Harris -- who is every bit as handsome in real life as he is on tv! I wish I could've snapped a better pic, but he was a feast for the eyes!

Random House Signing Schedule

Neil Patrick Harris

I then wandered around until I found two incredible children's authors: Timothy J. Bradley and Shannon Hale.

Timothy J. Bradley

Shannon Hale

Timothy J. Bradley is an author and illustrator. His first novel, Infestation, is now available.

Meanwhile, on the opposite spectrum is Shannon Hale, author of The Princess in a Black, which my daughter has yet to put down since I've brought it home. The Princess in Black is my kind of story -- a princess who refuses to do exactly as she is "supposed" to, who takes on a secret identity, and who has some major ninja skills. Very cool.

Other Authors!

Angelica Houston!

Karen Abbott

Linda Farstein

Friday

I was so lucky to have my Friday start off by meeting some of the coolest ladies at BEA -- Wunderkind PR.

I was there to have a meeting with Cara Mieles -- to talk about their upcoming books, and ended up meeting the entire team! Their passion and enthusiasm were contagious and I left that meeting feeling so renewed and reminded of why I go to BEA in the first place -- to meet people who love books just as much as I do.

Jeff Kinney, author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Next up was a Simon & Schuster Teen Lunch.

Me with Becca Fitzpatrick!

I had such a wonderful time getting to meet the authors at this lunch (Martina Boone, Kresley Cole, Becca Fitzpatrick, Christina Lauren and Scott Westerfield), hearing about their books first-hand was an awesome treat. As a wanna-be author, myself, it's always nice to see how other writers get their inspiration and motivation for their stories. I'm particularly interested in Afterworlds by Scott Westerfield. It's actually two books intertwined into one -- such a refreshing twist!

I ended the day with a lot more books than I thought I would (every year, I vow to be a bit more picky) but so happy with the time I had. I met wonderful people who share my passion and drive to be surrounded by words 24/7 -- librarians who want to keep the live of reading alive; authors who looked thrilled to be signing for the first time at BEA; bloggers who can tell you every title of every book they've ever read; and publishers -- who just want to put out a product that can make an author proud of what they've accomplished. It truly is incredible.

Alas, I learned that next year will be the last for BEA in NYC. I will definitely be in attendance and enjoying every last moment of a book lover's paradise. Until then...I better get reading!

#BEA13 Recap and Giveaway!

Hey GCReaders!

So I am finally home and all relaxed ready to share my experience at #BEA13 this year.

BEA week started for me on Tuesday, May 30th with a Simon and Schuster Blogger Party.

I was with Yara @ Once Upon A Twilight and Jenna @ An Avid Readers Musings. We arrived to the city a little early, had lunch, and then walked in the rain over to the party. Once we got there (thinking we killed enough time walking) we were still about half an hour early. LOL!

Once we were let in we got our badges and began mingling! They had an open bar, this awesome blogger watermelon drink, and a cute decorated stage. From what I hear they did the same thing last year, but I wasn't able to attend. The place was beautiful!

Behind the bar they had photos of some of the books they were featuring. It was really cool!

Once we were done mingling we grabbed a seat and author Suzanne Young introduced herself. She was out host for the night and interviewed authors Cat Patrick, Jenny Han, Siobhan Vivian, Cory Ann Haydu, Amy Butler Greenfield, and Jason Reynolds. They talked about their upcoming titles, what it was like writing their books, and shared some funny moments.

I had a really good time and I am so happy I was able to attend!

More photos... (If you like us on Facebook you've already seen these LOL!)

Me and Vania (VLC Productions)

 Jamie (The Broke and The Bookish), Yara (Once Upon A Twilight) and Me!

Day two at #BEA13 was a hot one, but also super fun! I swear every time BEA comes around it's like mother nature decides Oh, let's throw them some 100 degree weather!

Anyway, I checked into our hotel (because there was no way I was driving home every night) got ready and hit the streets of Manhattan. Met up with one of my favorite peeps, Trini @ A Book Lovers Review, and made our way to the HarperTeen Blogger Party. 

This year the HarperTeen party was different from last. They combined all their imprints into one. I loved this idea! Not only did we get to meet some of our favorite YA authors, but I got to meet some New Adult authors I've been reading lately. They had open bar and lots of finger food. We also got a goodie bag on the way out filled with books. There was so much going on and so many authors, the list is way to big to list. Here are some photos :) 

Leah Clifford and Me! 

Elizabeth Norris and Me! I love her! 

 Me and Cora Carmack!

Author Eve Silver and Me! 

Tuesday and Wednesday was a great BEA kick off! Thursday came and the convention started. Or should I say the craziness? ;-)

I was so exhausted from Tuesday and Wednesday that I got a little sick on Thursday. As soon as the convention ended I went back to my hotel room to rest. I missed out on The Mortal Instrument party. I know, I know... what? Am I crazy? I am bummed out I missed it, but I was so tired and lost my voice I just wanted sleep. LOL!

This year I networked a lot more than anything else at BEA. I met new bloggers (Hi Ana @ Owl Always Be Reading), made some new publisher contacts, and attended tons of publisher parties. That pretty much sums up my BEA.

I got the chance to attend a HarlequinTeen Blogger Breakfast with authors Julie Kagawa, Elizabeth Scott, Amanda Sun, and Katie McGarry. I loved the way Harlequin set everything up. You walked in, grabbed a little bite to eat, sat a table and once everyone was settled the authors basically had five minutes at each table to talk with readers and when the little bell rang they switched tables. It was so much fun! You literally had to get whatever questions you were dying to ask out ASAP before time was up.

 Amanda Sun

Katie McGarry 

Julie Kagawa 

Elizabeth Scott

*Sigh* That was so much fun!

Then this happened...

Kami Garcia and Me! *squee* Her dress was amazing!! 

 Denise Grover Swank signing After Math

SpencerHill Press booth! They were booming with signings! Everyone at SpencerHill is super nice! 

The autographing area! 

The authors above are not even a quarter of the authors I got to meet. 

I met...

Dawn Metcalf

Michelle Pickett

Kate Kaynak

Jessica Sorenson

Jill Shalvis

Jocelyn Davies

Susan Mallery

Jonathon Maberry

and many more! 

Wish I had taken more photos, but walking around no voice wasn't any fun :( 

I also got to attend a luncheon hosted by PenguinTeen featuring authors Melissa De La Cruz and Richelle Mead! They talked about movie updates, casting characters, what their writing day is like, and what's coming next!

And this is what I came home with... 

And I was trying to be picky and not pick up to much. Yeah... that didn't work. LOL!

And that wraps up my time at BEA 2013! I know I am forgetting something or someone, but it's 11 PM. I need sleep! LOL!

Don't miss out on our BEA Facebook giveaway!

http://bit.ly/Wu1xif

You can find it under the GIVEAWAY TAB.