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How to get the most from attending writing conferences

6/14/2015

11 Comments

 
Last week’s Book Expo America (BEA) marked my second time flying to New York City to attend this gathering of readers, publishers, bloggers, and publishing industry innovators for a three-day extravaganza of All Things Book.  If you’re not familiar with BEA, think ginormous summer camp for book lovers.  Piles of books.  Authors galore, from James Patterson and Nathan Lane to Doctor Ruth.  Thousands of eager readers.  
How to Get the Most from Attending Writers’ Conferences ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Exhibition Floor - Book Expo America 2015

How to Get the Most from Attending Writers’ Conferences ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Readers stand in formal signing lines for autographs from the likes of actor/Kid Lit author Julianne Moore.
There’s so much to see and do, it’s easy to get overloaded.  For me, BEA and other such author events are charged with excitement and anxiety, especially at the start.  Did I bring enough business cards?  How can I tote all these books without getting back strain?  Can I overcome brain overload to make my best connections with people?  Plus, my only pair of comfy shoes, an absolute necessity at BEA, reduces fashionistas to tears.  But once at the venue, I get my bearings, charge ahead, and come away happily renewed. 

To help you experience BEA from the comfort of your armchair, I divided the Expo into three functions according to the people it attracts and opportunities it offers: Book Lovers, Knowledge Seekers, and Networkers.  

Are these categories quantifiable and scientific?  No!  Can they overlap?  Of course!  Do they give you an overview of this and similar amazing events?  I hope so!

How to Get the Most from Attending Writers’ Conferences ~ catmichaelswriter.comBooks and lines at everywhere at BEA
1.  Book Lover
Goal: 
Snag as many books and author autographs as humanly possible.

Recognized by: 
Bulging tote bags filled with books.  Social media selfies showing them with famous authors.  

BEA has books on every corner…paperbacks, hard copies, 3-D, and e-books.  You can’t walk more than a few steps without bumping into stacks of books that are yours for the taking at publishers’ booths and hundreds of happy authors autographing their novels 

I found a WWII mystery for my dad and cute picture books for my nieces.  Most books don’t cost anything.  They’re free, given away as Advance Review Copies (ARCs) to adoring readers who will generate that pre-launch buzz to pump up sales once the book is officially published.
How to Get the Most from Attending Writers’ Conferences ~ catmichaelswriter.comOne of several bag-stowing areas at BEA
Veteran Expo book lovers will tell you to bring an empty suitcase, check it at the venue, and fill it with books when your stash gets too heavy to carry. 

No worries if your bag is filled.  There’s also a postal facility at the Javits Center for shipping books home.

While BEA targets those in the business of writing, it morphs into Book Con on the weekend, an event open to the public.  Here, book lovers by the thousand find their next new book to be signed by their favorite authors.

2.  Knowledge Seeker
Goal:               
 Learn about the craft and business of writing and publishing.

Recognized by:  
BEA workshop schedule tucked in pockets or on mobile devices, often with notepad or tablet for recording notes.
BEA offers concurrent learning sessions in different tracks, like marketing, publishing, reading content, and technology, that are facilitated by thought leaders.  Depending on your interests, you can stay in one track for the entire time or mix it up to pop into any 50-minute session.  I stayed with tech and marketing tracks and will be sharing tips in the coming weeks that I learned.

The Middle-Grade Author Buzz was awesome.  I was introduced to four outstanding novels for middle-graders coming out this fall, PLUS, I snagged free ARC copies of each. But that’s another blog post!

Learning also takes place informally on the exhibit hall, which is in a HUGE space, easily the size of two or three football fields, and is separate from conference sessions.  For instance, I want to reformat my print versions of the Sweet T Tales with hard covers and titles on their spines, so my books can be shelved in libraries and my local Indie bookstore.  I spent 15 minutes with the patient sales manager from Ingram Spark (IS).  He broke down the print-on-demand process and cleared up several questions I couldn’t figure out earlier from the IS website.
How to Get the Most from Attending Writers’ Conferences ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Prepare to navigate a crowded, huge venue

3.  Networker
Goal: 
Make new contacts and meet as many people as possible.

Recognized by:  
Bulging pockets of business cards or mobile app to digitally exchange contacts.  Usually huddled in small conversation groups everywhere.
Once the show is over and the shuttle bus battles Manhattan traffic to get you to the hotel, there is no time to rest --- even though you’re tired and your feet are swollen.  Whether you’re solo, meeting friends, or connecting with new BEA acquaintances, there’s so much to see and do in New York!  Rest assured you’ll run on adrenaline that offsets any sleep deprivation.  All in all, the entire experience is one of the best parts of a book lover's life!
How to Get the Most from Attending Writers’ Conferences ~ catmichaelswriter.com
After dark: Cat (right) and Sis with Elphaba

Conferences are incredible opportunities to meet people whose passions are the same as yours.  There are people who can help with your writing life, but it’s super-important to pay it forward and be ready to help others.  With 20,000 people, one Starbuck’s, and a limited number of restrooms in the Javits Center, I found standing in lines was one of the best ways to network with people!   I met wonderful librarians, bloggers, and writers while standing in line at the women’s room.  

Even introverts easily start conversations, bemoaning long lines or asking about the next best author signing opportunity.  I love hearing about these new ideas.  Plus, the energy of the show is magnified in the sharing of personal insights.

Publishers and others throw glam after-parties.  Special-interest groups, like librarians and audio-book producers, offer on-site networking coffees and lunches. 

IMHO, everybody who attends BEA, or any bookish affair, needs to be a networker to some degree.  So, bring plenty of business cards and remember to follow up with a quick note to everyone you meet.

On top of meeting new acquaintances, one of the very best parts about BEA was FINALLY meeting people IN PERSON who I meet in cyberspace and social media.  Imagine, hearing their voices and giving hugs, RIGHT there and then.  Awesome!

Photos: Cat Michaels and BEA 2015

Please join the conversation in the comment section.
Which of the three Expo goers best describes your style?
What additional suggestions or resources can you share for making the most of a book event?

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cat's connections: update for readers
11 Comments
C.L. Murphy link
6/8/2015 02:32:38 am

You are so organized, Cat! Love how you divided your post into three sections. I can only imagine the excitement at this event. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Reply
Nelson Suit link
6/8/2015 02:12:51 pm

What a wonderful post, Cat! You really make the BEA experience accessible to folks :-) Enjoyed reading it and you seemed to have had a really great time!! Thanks so much for sharing it.

Reply
Ashley M link
6/9/2015 12:16:22 pm

Love how you broke it into 1/3rds

I would say I am a mix of the Networker and Book Lover.
I of course came for the books but realized quickly that getting to put faces to the people I have followed online was an amazing experience.

Reply
Auden Johnson
6/10/2015 08:03:29 am

I usually go to BEA but I couldn't think year. The last two yeas, I got so many free books. It was awesome and the panels were amazing. The lines at BookCon last year was epic.

Reply
Cat Michaels
6/10/2015 05:29:59 pm

Auden, I am glad you had a great experience at Book Cob and at BEA! All the best with YOUR dark-fantasy book launch!

Reply
Cat Michaels
6/10/2015 05:35:31 pm

Ashley, We share that "networking" style, but I am sorry we did not bump into each other. Easy enough to do with so many people attending. I hope you got a suitcase full of amazing books!

Reply
Cat Michaels
6/10/2015 05:38:03 pm

Thanks, Nelson, for your feedback! It was work to navigate BEA but worth the effort to figure it out.

Reply
Cat Michaels
6/10/2015 05:43:03 pm

CJ, it was amazing🌞. I appreciate you joining me for a virtual look back. Way more fun to have your company! And thanks for your feedback about organizing the three blog sections.

Reply
Rhonda Paglia link
6/13/2015 03:12:28 am

Cat - What a great post! Thank you so much for sharing. It sounds like you had a fabulous experience - and , you gave us a real feel for what the conference was like. I look forward to hearing more about the workshops you attended!! <3

Reply
Rosie Russell link
6/15/2015 07:25:53 am

Thank you Cat for all the information from your trip to BEA. I'm sure that was truly a great experience for you! So happy you were able to meet so many wonderful people, authors, and received some awesome books!
I too, look forward to hearing more about the workshops you attended. I just know you walked away with a wealth of knowledge!
Thank you again Cat for your post today!

Reply
Cat Michaels
6/15/2015 02:52:59 pm

Rosie, it was awesome and inspiring. i came away so pumped! Wish you could've been there with me!

Reply

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    Cat Michaels

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  • Welcome!
  • Cat's Books
    • Just Between Sam and Me
    • Sweet T and the Turtle Team
    • Finding Fuzzy: A You-Decide Tale of a Lost Friend
    • Sweet T and the North Wind
    • The Magical Aquarium
  • Cat's Corner: Blogging About Books, Writing, and More
  • Author 101: Tips & Tricks for a Writer's Journey
  • Meet Cat
  • Author Visits
  • FREE STUFF in the Kids' Zone
  • Book Review Guidelines
  • KidLit Book Reviews
  • Contact Cat