BEA Tips for BEA Newbies

BEA is quickly sneaking up on all of us and I've been getting a decent amount of emails lately asking me for tips about going. So I figured why not formulate it all into a nice, easy to read post instead of reiterating the same thing over and over and over again. Saves my fingers, you know?

Last year, when those of us that went to BEA were trying to figure it all out before we got there, we were pretty much going in blind. We were some of the first YA book bloggers (if not some of the first book bloggers period) to head on out into virgin territory, the all-famous Book Expo America. We were all asking each other for tips on how to get passes and such but none of us really had any idea. We were just guessing because, well, what we did worked and it got us in at the end of the day. So this year why not formulate all of that hard-learned information into a single post for anyone going to BEA to access? At the end you'll get a chance to ask any questions I didn't answer here and if you went last year and have something to add, you can send it on over and I'll add it to the post after I address it in it's own standing post, credited of course. I'll make this a running post until BEA so any time between now and then, if you have something to ask or say, feel free to say it!

Now let's get to those tips -

You are considered a member of the press.

As a book blogger, the people at BEA consider you a member of the press. Therefore, if you haven't gotten your pass already, you should sign up using the Press Registration form. The press pass is free, a big relief to us poor, poor book bloggers! When you get to Javits, head on over to the Press Registration Center to get your badge and head on up to the Press Office if you so wish. The Press Office will be immediately to your left when you enter the main doors at the Crystal Palace. The Press Registration booth should be in the same area.

Javits is one crazy bitch.

The Jacob K. Javits center is one confusing beast. If you look at the floor plan, you'll see that it appears pretty straight forward, 3 levels and all of that. Well, the thing is, the building is split down the center, making one side inaccessible from the other without changing levels. Confused yet? For instance, last year the Children's Center was on the first floor, the same as the cafeteria. So I went down to the cafeteria and stood there going 'dur.' Behind me was the food. Ahead of me was a large conference area and classrooms. To the left was nothing. To the right was bathrooms. Where the deuce was the Children's Center? Well, in order to get from one side of the floor to the other, you have to take the escalator up, walk across to the other side and take another escalator down to get to the same floor on the other side. I can't tell you how confused this had me and I feel like I was the only one taking half the day to figure the damn thing out.

Luckily, everything's on one floor this year and the Exhibit Hall is not split like the rest of its floor counterparts. It's just one giant open room. But if you need to get anywhere else (like the bathrooms or cafeteria), just keep in mind the wonky layout of Javits.

Dress comfortably.

While I wouldn't recommend traipsing in wearing gym clothes, jeans and a t-shirt are perfectly acceptable. Really, the only people that'll be wearing business attire will be the people conducting business meetings. You'll probably see them huddled at tables at various booths. But for the most part, it's business casual at maximum. Last year I wore jeans, sneakers and a Santa Cruz fitted t-shirt. Remember, you'll be on your feet all day so you want to be wearing something that you'll be comfortable in. If that's loafers and khakis, good for you. If it's sneakers, wear them. You don't want blisters cramping your style by lunch.

Bring a bag large enough to fit you and park it.

And I am NOT overexaggerating. Last year my bag ended up weighing 150 pounds. I'm under 130. You do that horrible, horrible math. You will be getting a lot of books and a lot of swag. You need someplace to store it throughout the day. If you have a suitcase, bring it. Trust me. You won't be the only one.

What do I mean by park it? They have an "open air" baggage check area roped off so you can check your bag. Do it. You can't bring a massive thing onto the exhibition floor and you wouldn't want to drag it around with you all day even if you could. A heaping amount of publishers hand out various bags for you to store stuff in. Take them . Love them. Use them. Then make trips back to your parked bag throughout the day to drop stuff off. Trust me. Your shoulders will thank you for that. And don't be ashamed to do that. Many, many people do it. No one expects you to keep all that stuff on your person the entire day.

Schedule, schedule, schedule.

There is so much to do at BEA it's ridiculous. If you don't schedule yourself, especially with the authors you want to see, you'll be kicking your own ass because you'll be missing a lot. What you should do is look through the authors' signing list for both booths and the autographing area and figure out who you want to see and organize them by times. Trust me, this isn't too OCD. This will help you. If you see that you have 12 people you want to see in an hour time slot, cut it down to the people you REALLY want to see, that way you're not going bonkers. Also try to schedule it based on booth vs. table signing. If the author is signing at their publisher's booth, they're out on the world wide floor. If they're at a table, they're in the designated signing area in the corner of the hall. Again, be aware of where you need to be at a given time so you're not being a Tasmanian devil ripping from one side of the hall to the other. And be sure to factor in line times. They usually go pretty fast but just remember that the more popular an author is, the longer their line will probably be. Better to give yourself more time than you need than less.

For those of you only going for a day, this'll be more relevant than those going for the entire week as you'll have more time. If you'll only be there for a day like me, I'd recommend printing out the Exhibition Hall floor plan in advance and highlighting which publishers you want to see. That way you can make sure to fit them all into your cramped schedule. This may sound really OCD but it helps. When you don't have a lot of time, you want to make sure you maximize the time you do have. Again, planning ahead is better than not planning at all. Chances are you'll end up with a bunch of extra time but at least you won't waste time trying to figure out where everything is. You'll know in advance.

Make time to eat.

You make think this is a little ridiculous but just wait until you're on the floor. You may be watching the clock meticulously to make sure you get in the next signing line but you probably won't register that it's time to eat. Make sure you do. At the very least have a hearty breakfast before jumping into BEA. It'll give you fuel to last the whole day and you won't be starving come lunch and you'll be able to subsist on the Sabaret's hot dogs you'll find right outside the Javits' doors. As I said, there is a cafeteria on the first floor but it gets crowded quick. The area has some quicky restaurants (pizza, for instance) or if you're just looking to snarf something quick before getting back to booking, hit up the hot dog guy. They're really not bad hot dogs.

Don't be afraid to be social.

Strike up a conversation with the publishing people. They won't bite! At BEA it's really hard NOT to be social. Inherently I'm a shy, reserved person (what are you looking at me like that for? I'm not lying!) so striking up a conversation is really hard for me. But at BEA, they love book bloggers. Thanks to BEA I have a wonderful relationship with Llewellyn and Flux. Book bloggers are it and if you present yourself in an appealing manner (basically you know what you're talking about when it comes to reviewing and promotion), they're more than willing to hand out business cards and get you on their reviews list. This is an excellent opportunity for marketing yourself to publishers of all sizes. Utilize that.

But if you're a writer, keep your mouth shut about it.

This is a publishing convention, not a writer's conference. HUGE difference between the two. Do not talk about your novel you're working on, don't say you're a writer, just act like it doesn't exist unless the topic comes up naturally in a conversation. Even then, I wouldn't recommend saying anything.

From experience, it wasn't even me talking about my writing but a fellow blogger I was hanging out with talking to some editors and book sellers and when they find out they have a writer in their midst, they freeze up. Like visibly. As if a writer's visual acuity is based on movement and if they don't move, I'll lose sight of them. Like I'm a T-Rex or something. They fear that a writer is going to whip out a manuscript and try to stuff it down their throats. While you may think this absurd, it does happen way too many times for comfort. So as far as anyone knows, all you do is book blogging and just leave it at that. Smile!

Yes, ARCs and finished copies of books are handed out like paper at a ticker tape parade. For free.

Last year this was like a block in my mind. I just couldn't help but go, "Really? Seriously? I can just take them? Really?" It's a book lover's wet dream, like walking into Barnes and Noble and not having to pay for anything. Signings are free, ARCs being handed out are free. Swag is free. There is some stuff for sale so make sure you don't grab the wrong stuff, but for the most part it's all free.

With that being said, don't grab everything in sight unless you WANT to end up with a 150 pound bag and a torn chest muscle. Not fun. If it's not something you'd be reading anytime soon, don't take it. Don't get me wrong, free books are tempting to matter what they are but they get heavy fast. So choose wisely. Even doing that you'll end up with a heap so don't worry. But don't be afraid to take stuff. That's what it's there for. I was hording pens last year. Bad habit of mine. I doubt it's been broken in the interim.

FedEx is on hand.

The shipping company has its own little office on premises so you can box stuff up and ship it to yourself if you're far enough way that you've flown or whathaveyou. I've never used them but I know they're there.

Added 5/6

Do we really get to go to signings and the publisher's booths? Do we have enough time for both?

Yes and yes! Both the signings and the publishers' booths (including the signings at the publishers' booths) are all in the Exhibition Hall and you are fully welcome to wander around the booths and go to signings. You will certainly have enough time to do both if you schedule. As I said in the original post, it may seem like a really OCD thing to do, but if you're working with a schedule you've made for yourself, you'll know where you need to be and when and it'll free up a lot of time in between otherwise used for running around trying to find things. How much time you have is entirely up to you! Depends on how much you want to see.

Mmm I kind of disagree on the jeans thing. I think it is better to do business casual. I wear my work clothes: khakis, nice shirt, and my Vans.

Make sure you put all your books IN the box. Last year Alea put a few on top and someone stole them.

I don't really trust that bag checking area. Last year, I walked right in and took my bag without showing anyone my claim ticket.

I wish Vans were in my company's business casual repertoire! For that, do what feels comfortable for you. When authors and publishers' representatives are walking around in jeans and t-shirts, it's hard to dress up more. But you certainly won't be looked at funny for wearing jeans.

I'm not sure with this second part means. Maybe in reference to checking bags? Yeah, I wouldn't leave anything exposed. People are very grabby at BEA and if they see books, they will take. Guard them once you have them.

To part three, well that sucks! I didn't have a problem but then again I have doinked around hostels and I guess leaving your bag in an area like that is based on mutual trust. You don't touch my stuff, I won't touch yours and that's the end of that. Remember, these are adult working professionals, not any-schmo on the street (not that that means they're honest by default, I'm just saying) but like with clothes, do what's most comfortable for you. I know some people are driving, parking close and will be making book runs back to their cars.

For signings, are you allowed to bring some of your own books?

I'm not sure of the correct decorum for this but I wouldn't. One, you're carrying extra weight going in. Not a good place to start. You want as little as possible on your person going onto the BEA floor because you're going to have a lot hanging on your shoulders. Two, signing authors are promoting specific books when they do these signings and the signings are designed to move really quickly. Trying to have them sign something else on top of the book they're already signing will hold up the line. I just don't think it's good decorum to bring something else.

I wore jeans last year... I'm trying to figure out if capris would be acceptable... just because I was kind of warm last year... hmm.

I say go for it, either jean or khaki capris. Like I said, you want to be comfortable. If you think you'll be too warm in jeans, go for a flowing skirt or capris. I don't think Bermuda shorts would be all that bad but I wouldn't go any shorter than that. That's toeing the line a little too much.

Added 5/11

Let's pretend I want to get a book signed by Richelle Mead, how early do you recommend getting in line to wait?

I'd say 15 minutes is a good time to head down to a line. It won't get you at the front but you won't be a mile back, either. Depending on the author (like RL Stine, for instance), people can start lining up as soon as they possibly can, say a half hour or 45 minutes in advance. But remember the lines go super fast, even for their length. 15 minutes is a good safety net, I think.

Where can you find a whole list of authors, that way I can check off who I want to see?

Also, would you advise going three days straight?

What days are just YA or Romance?

Authors in the autographing area can be found here and for the in-booth autographing you can go here.

I think the Exhibition Hall is only open two days this year. Signings are only two days, I know that. But that's entirely up to you. You get to see more going all days but it all depends on your own personal cost planning and what you can afford.

As for genres, everything's all mixed in together so there aren't specific days for specific genres. You have to hunt them down.

What does it mean when authors are willing to sign? Do you stand in line for their book even if they are only signing book or postcard?

For the most part the authors are signing their books, usually something that's been newly released or will be released. You don't need to bring anything to the signing itself. The books and whatever else is being signed will be handed out once you get up to the author at the table.

For signings, do you buy the books there at the signing? Or do you need to buy the book that the author is signing slightly before so you're ready for them to sign?

Check out above. No buying is involved with author signings. They have a stockpile of books at their feet that they're signing and they just hand them off to you. Sounds like a dream but I swear, it's real!

Added 5/15

Kind of a specific question - ok if you have no idea of the answer. I'll be coming in to the city on the LIRR - I'm planning on walking from Penn Station to the JJ Center. I'm thinking I'll be pretty loaded down with stuff by the end of each day. How silly would it be to take a cab back to the station - it's really only a handful of blocks but I'm worried about walking even that far with my arms full. What do you think?
Thanks!
~WilowRaven

I walked to Javits from Penn Station last year and it's a nice walk without anything loading you down. Dragging my 150 pound bag behind me, I wasn't about to take that short walk back to Penn so I hopped in a livery car and had them drive me straight back to Grand Central. Considering you have your arms full, I doubt you'll get many looks and the curb outside Javits is loaded with livery by the end of the day so you won't be waiting long. I wouldn't worry about it, nor would I feel bad about it. A handful of blocks can feel like miles when you're loaded up.

So all the books at BEA are free, right? Can we only get one copy of the book or can we get an extra for a giveaway or blogger friend?

Yes, the majority of the books are free. Just be sure not to grab display copies or something like that. Those aren't for the taking.

As for taking more than one, well, the answer to this would depend on the person you asked. The piles of ARCs that publishers have are literally piles of books stacked from the floor up. Huge piles. And people grab and grab and grab. I remember reading on Lenore's blog when she posted the book bloggers' mortal sins compiled from all over the community and grabbing more than one book at something like this some people considered such a sin.

But I look at it like this - are you considered a dick for asking a publisher for an extra copy or two to give away on your blog when they send one for review? Of course not. So why are you a dick for taking an extra copy or two at BEA to give away on your blog? I know I doubled up on some books. Publishers even willingly gave me two or three copies of a book for promotion. When you see other industry professionals grabbing two, three, four copies of a book from a pile, whatever guilt you may have had would wane pretty quickly.

The way I would gauge it would be if you knew it would be a book that your readers would want to have, don't be shy about taking an extra copy or two but don't be greedy about it. You don't need 6 copies. I know I grabbed an extra copy of Tricks by Ellen Hopkins last year because I knew my readers would love a copy of that book. Nothing wrong with that, I don't think. Just in moderation. Don't do it for every book. Grabbing one of each is a heavy enough load.

Great post, full of helpful hints!

Do you think it would be okay to ask an author to sign two copies of a book, one for me and one for a friend who couldn't make it? Or would that be bad manners?

Thank you! You know, it would depend on the kind of line you're standing in. If the author's line is short and you're towards the back, it wouldn't hurt to ask. If the line's long, I wouldn't. The number of books they have at the signings is limited and they want to make sure they don't run out nor do they hold up the line (as I've said before, they try to make the signings as fluid as possible). At the end of the day it doesn't hurt to ask. The worst they could say it no, but be discrete about it. You don't want to trap the author in obligation to fulfill the same request to everyone on down the line. So if you really, REALLY want a second signed copy, wait until the end of the signing time and try then.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I'm not sure how I landed on this page, but I am thrilled that I did! You answered all of the questions that I was looking for!

You're very welcome!

When you register, what do you put as "Company" to be listed on your badge? "Self"?

I actually just put my blog title in this slot. The way it shows up on your tag is your name in big bold letters and then underneath it would be the company you work for. My company, technically, is Bites. And then next to it (or underneath it, I can't remember) it'll actually say YA book review blog as you'll have the option to put in a description of what you are.

What time does BEA end each day?

What is the autograph area? How is it different from the authors signing at the publishers' booths?

How do you get tickets for some authors' signings? Is there a cost associated for the tickets? How soon should you get the tickets?

The Exhibition Hall closes at 6 on Wednesday and at 5 on Thursday.

If you pull up the floor plan for Javits, in the upper left hand section of the Exhibition Hall map you'll see the Autographing Area. All day, both days, authors are set up for certain times to be autographing in this section. It'll be a row of tables set up that you queue up in to get books signed. When authors sign at their respective publishers' booths, they'll be at separate times and out actually at the publishers' booths in the greater Exhibition Hall.

For ticketed authors, I believe the only way to obtain those tickets is to show up at Javits at 5 am on their respective signing days and obtain them then. You can only get in the signing line if you have one of those tickets. As far as I know, they don't cost anything except lost sleep. But in all honesty, I've never had to get one of these tickets so I only know the process from what other people have said. If someone got one of Suzanne Collins' tickets last year, for instance, please chime in as to the process.

For this next (and last for this post) one I'll break it up since it's pretty long. It's all from the same person, though.

Your tips are very helpful.

Two questions :

1) What do you mean when you say
" You are considered a member of the press. "

Would I not need to have a Press card ? Does not someone screen people who claim to be from the Press ?

I am coming from a distance, and do not wish to come there all the way, and then be turned back because they do not accept me as a member of the Press.
OR have to pay a much higher fee for on-site admission.
[ I am planning to come for a nonprofit association, and buy a 3-day pass in advance.

Well, you got a few things going on here. When I say you're considered a member of the press, it means that as a book blogger, we are considered members of the press. We provide free press and promotion to publishers to promote books. They want us at BEA to help further their promotion. Hence the press pass. We do not have to be card carrying members of a "legitimate" press in order to be considered press. The officials at BEA consider book bloggers press. You need to register for a press pass in advance and provide credentials in order to be accepted as a member of the press. Registering as a book blogger, your credentials would be your book blog itself.

Ultimately you need to be connected to the publishing industry somehow in order to get into BEA. It's not a forum open to the public.

With travel and other costs also, I would like to save what I can, but not be vulnerable to a last minute surprise.
[ But Can they really accommodate several hundred members of the Press ?
And can one still attend the talks ? ]

Yes. Javits is huge and will hold tens of thousands of people over the course of BEA week. There are some events that are open forum on the BEA floor that anyone can walk up to and attend. Then there are others (like the authors' breakfasts) where you need to buy tickets in advance in order to get in. By now, those events are sold out.

I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ADVICE ON THIS MATTER SOON, AS I NEED TO REGISTER TODAY ( -- I SHALL BE AWAY NEXT WEEK )
ALSO, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO QUALIFY AS A " BOOK BLOGGER " ?

Having an active book review blog would be a good place to start in order to qualify as a book blogger. If you're considering opening up a book blog now in order to get into BEA, don't. I can name at least a dozen thing wrong with that.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) I THOUGHT BEA WAS FOR PUBLISHERS, AUTHORS, AND BOOK BUYERS, INCLUDING TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.
YOU IMPLY IT IS MAINLY A PUBLISHERS' EVENT.
COULD YOU PLEASE CLARIFY WHAT YOU MEAN ?

BEA is the largest publishing event in North America. The main focus is publishers promoting stuff, including their authors, to various book buyers, educators and members of the press. Its a means to move more books, make more publishing deals and interconnect with people all over the world. The London Book Fair and Bologna Book Fair are all in the same scheme. Agents meet up with clients, their own sub-agents, editors they work with. Authors get to meet fans, sign books. Publishers get to promote their lists, hope to wrangle in sales to chains or libraries.

Students are ultimately irrelevant to BEA. They're the buying market that buys from the acquiring market. The people that attend BEA acquire in order to provide to the buyers (or lessors or readers in terms of schools and/or libraries). It's essentially the "behind the scenes" of the publishing world. When you go to the bookstore and hold a finished product in your hand, BEA is part of the process that got that product to the store. So the publishers, the authors, the press, the educators, are all the process for the product.

Thanks.
You are doing a great service.

My email:

You're welcome!

Added 5/18

Question:

How far ( by walking) is the Javits Center from the Parking Area ?
And the daily Cost of Parking ?
--------------------------------------------------------
And how far is it from Port Authority Bus Terminal ?
Walking Distance ?
--------------------------------------------------------
Thanks.

First question, I have no idea. I've never had to utilize any kind of parking in New York City as I've never driven in. I drive a stick. I'm not insane. Hopefully someone else will be able to answer that for you.

For the second question, looks like 3 avenues and 7 street blocks. Depending on how fast you walk, anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes.

Hey Donna. I was wondering a few things. First of all, do you need wristbands or anything before standing in line at an author signing? What does being a member of the press (as in bookblogging) entail?

Thank you so much for your wonderful questions and answers, you have been such a great help! Thanks again,
Morgan

No wristbands needed. If you're waiting in line for a ticketed author, you do need to actually have a ticket to stand in line but for everyone else, just come as you are.

Being a member of the press, it basically means people flock to you as a means of promotion. Publishers like the press. It gets you a lot of emails prior to the event from a bunch of different publishers promoting their books, and it gets you into BEA for free. People are very eager to speak to members of the press at BEA, at least in my experience.

You've very welcome!

Do you need to bring business cards?

Do you need to? No. Do they help? Yes. I personally don't have any for my blog but I do have them. I just write my blogging info on the back. They're just an easy way for publishers to get your information. Otherwise you'll be doing a lot of writing.

When I was looking into BEA before, I totally gave up when I saw the prices, but the closer it gets, the more I see people talking about Press Passes. What's the deal with those and how much are they?

Press passes for BEA are free for members of the press. Book bloggers are considered by the BEA organizers to be members of the press so if you have a book blog, this is the pass you register for. Otherwise, unless you're some kind of educator, bookseller, whathaveyou, you're not going to be able to get into BEA without some kind of link to the publishing world as it's not open to the public.

1) In Badge Categories which do you choose as a blogger:

ABA Bookstore Member

Enter your 6 digit ABA Member Number
Book Club Member
Bookseller/Bookstore
Educator
Film & TV Production
Book Industry Professional
Librarian
Licensing, Rights and Literary Agents
Non-Editorial Media
Non Profits & Associations
Published Author
Publishing Consultants & Agencies
Publishing Personnel/Editorial
Retailer
Check Registration Status/Add Special Events

2) how much is registration fees for all the days?

I'm not going this year but I am trying to plan ahead for next year.

See above question. If you're a book blogger, you register for a Press Pass. As for the rest, I really can't comment on as I've only ever registered as a member of the press. Plus I don't know who/what you are, as in what you do, so I can't rightly comment on what you should register for.

Badge pricing can be found at the BEA website.

What is the difference from autographing area and in booth signing? And the products they sign says book, galley or postcard. Does this mean whatever they sign is what they will give out? I dont want to stand in line if the scheduale for that person says there just signing a postcard.

Last but not least, is it good to go on the first day? Like on Tues? Will they have ARCS handed out on Tues? I know they due wed and Thurs. Just want to check.

Thanks.

I think I went over the differences in my last answer post. The autographing area is a large open area in the corner of the Exhibition Hall where authors are scheduled to sign. Booth signings mean the authors will be at their respective publishers' booths out in the greater Exhibition Hall signing. As for what they sign, for the most part they'll be signing books/galleys. The postcard people, for the most part, are the non-fiction authors and the like. It's up to you what you feel like standing in line for.

It's always good to check out the event hours to see what's going on when at BEA. The Exhibition Hall isn't open on Tuesday; only Wednesday and Thursday. ARCs will be given out both days the Exhibition Hall is open. Personally I don't think one day is better than the other. They're both equal in terms of signings and what's being given out.

Added 5/22

When you told us about a lady who acted like you didn't belong at the BEA, what did you say? Im worried I wont be allowed in if I encounter a person like her. What do you say to get your badge? Do you need proof of your blog?

Did I say that? I remember mentioning that I got a couple of weird looks going up into the press office but other than that, nothing. I saw a family walking around in sweat shorts and Hawaiian shirts. No kidding. As long as you have a badge, you're not going to get bothered. And you're not judged going in to get your badge if you don't "look the part." If you have your print-out to get your badge, you're all set. As for proof, when you register for the press pass, you'll have provided your blog and your credentials will be verified before you even get to BEA. If they don't accept you, you'll know before hand. No word means good to go.

Good post! I am attending BEA for the first time this year as an author, and am taking your tips to heart! If you're there this year and interested, I'll be signing INVISIBLE THINGS (sequel to THE EXPLOSIONIST - which does feature a boarding school, but not I think one of the sort to which you would definitely object!) on Wednesday at 3:30 at Table 19 - come by and pick up a copy if you feel like it...

Thank you! This would be Jenny Davidson so if anyone wants to get a book signed by her, you now know the time and place! I wish I could but I won't be on the floor until Thursday. Good luck, though!

What exactly is the YA Authors of YA Editor�s Buzz? Is it worth attending as a blogger? Do you recieve any books?

First, YA Editor's Buzz is an hour-long panel where some YA editors rave about some of their books that are coming out. I went to it last year and they talked about The Maze Runner, Lips Touch and The Devil's Kiss, among others. I don't think they had the YA Authors of YA Editor's Buzz last year, though. I can't remember. It looks like just an extension of the editor's panel, this time just the authors talking about their books and writing and stuff like that. It's something to stop by and listen to if you want the leg up on some upcoming books. No books are given out at this specific event.

So if the exhibition hall is closed on Tues what other events or things are happening to that are interesting to attend?

See the BEA schedule for that answer.

I'm planning on going to BEA next year. You mentioned that book bloggers are considered members of the press and get in for free, right? On the site, it specifies that not all people who register for a press pass get one. Is there an age limit for book bloggers who get admitted? Is there a rule of thumb for what is considered a good enough book blog to get entrance to BEA, stat wise?

I don't know what their criteria are for rejecting people for the press pass but I've never heard of a book blogger getting rejected. But your blog will need to be evaluated once you register. Last year, I'd only been blogging for about three and a half months and they accepted me. So I would guess as long as you're not someone that has three posts in three months or something like that, you'll be accepted. As for age, if you're under 18 you'll need to be escorted by a parent but you won't be denied a pass solely for your age.

I don't think stats make a difference for getting a press pass. Again, I can't say for sure what would make them deny someone a press pass but just keep blogging. You don't need to be The Story Siren to get one but have a regular posting schedule, post reviews, look like you're up to date on the publishing world and your blog is what it says it is and you'll be fine.

This was THE most helpful post about BEA that I have read!! Thank you thank you!!

You're very welcome!

I know there's stuff that I'm missing but I'll add it as time goes along. Right now here's your chance to ask any questions I didn't answer and add in your own comments from your own experiences last year if I missed something. I'll post them and add to this tips list up until BEA week so feel free to open up and spill!

The Q&A is now closed!

I hope all this information is helpful! If you still have a burning question that isn't already answered, then feel free to leave a comment or send me an email.