By the time this posts, I will be on my way to New York City for Book Expo America! (Well, technically I’ll be on my way to Union Station in DC). Last week, I wrote about how I was preparing for BEA and today, I’m going to tell you everything I accomplished before I set out this morning. 1. I bought that portable battery charger. For those still looking, this was $60 at Best Buy. mophie – Juice Pack Powerstation Mini 2. I dug out my DSLR camera for good pictures. I will mostly be using my cellphone for selfies and pics of authors and parties, but I’d like to use my DSLR for good pics of the crowds and such. And it’s New York! An iPhone just won’t suffice. My beloved DSLR, a Canon Rebel EOS. A basic model, but does the job! 3. I finished doing mountains of laundry. And then packed what I needed. 4 pairs of shoes? Check! 4. I bought a luggage lock after reading Hannah at the Irish Banana’s BEA tips post from last year. (Well, technically as of writing this, I still need to do so, but by the time you read it, I will have!) 5. I completed my BEA schedule, including putting it in Google Calendar and selecting the signings I want to hit up on the BEA app. Or…I think I got them all in the app. Ah, screw it. 6. I also created a Word doc of all the galleys I’m interested in. I don’t have to have them all, but let’s face it, there will be hundreds (thousands?) of books there and I won’t remember the names unless I have them on hand. Do you think this is a wee bit aggressive?!
Salmon is a signing, bright red is a MUST-GO signing, yellow is a galley drop, light orange is a ticketed event and purple is a party. I don’t really count the Walt Whitman birthday thing as an actual party since it’s in a booth, but there’s cake, so there you go.
6. Received my new business cards! And then I realized I put my old apartment number on them by accident. It’s a difference of 2 vs 22, so I’ve corrected those by hand. That will have to do, because it’s too late to order new ones. 7. Went grocery shopping and bought a LOT of stuff! Since my wedding is 80 days away as of TODAY (!!!), but we have to have everything paid for in full by July 1st (and our travel needs to be paid in full on 6/20, since it’s a destination wedding), I am on a $20/daily food budget while up in NYC. My hotel has free continental breakfast and these snacks can get me through the day. I can totally do dinner on $20. Even if it’s just a sub from the Subway across the street from the hotel, I’m cool with that! What? I get hungry for a little person. 8. Prepared all my posts for the week I’m gone…and the following week, too! I’m coming home on Sunday 6/1, and I’ll be much too tired to worry about scheduling posts! I’m really lucky in that my travel to and from NYC is completely free. My job sends me back and forth from DC to Philly and Wilmington a lot on Amtrak so I rack up those points. I earned so many points last year, I was upgraded to Club Select status and was able to cash in those points for a free round-trip ticket on the Northeastern Regional…and I get two free upgrades to business class! Thanks, Work!
WHAT AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST?
It’s really hard to say. Last year, when I went to the RT convention, I didn’t know anybody. Oh, I knew them online, but that was it. I flew out and shared a room with Kelly and Heather from Gotfiction never having met them before. And that’s what I love about the book-blogging world: the ability to make new friends and bond instantly over books. So, while I’m traveling with friends this time and will know more people at BEA, there are still so many more I’m looking forward to meeting for the first time! So probably that! Plus, of course, all the books! So hopefully I’ll see you there! <3
Jennifer is both a book nerd and professional photographer. That means she lives in the fantasy world all the time, whether of her making, or someone else's.
She collects books like the Duggar family collects kids, and began waiting for her Hogwarts letter at the tender age of 33.
Have fun!!! You are so organized lol. I’m going on Friday only, I am so excited but wish I was going the entire time, maybe next year 🙂 Michelle @ Because Reading’s latest thoughts >> Mary Hades by Sarah Dalton Blitz #giveaway
This is my first BEA and I’m flipping out! I love your color-coded schedule. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of that yet. *scurries off to edit calendar* I’m traveling from DC, too, but the thought of having to ship back all the books (or worse yet, limit what I pick up) caused me to have a mini-freak out yesterday and decide to drive instead. Sooooo, now I’m staying right across the river in Weehawken and will be taking a 10-minute ferry ride to the Javits every day so I didn’t have to worry about parking, driving into Manhattan OR what to do with all the bookish goodies I collect. Kim @ kimberlyfaye reads’s latest thoughts >> Top Ten Tuesday [38]
There’s no weight limit on Amtrak! 🙂 Although I admit I struggled getting my suitcase up on the train hahaha. BUT I DID IT *flexes arm* Have we met at any YADC meet ups? I don’t feel like we have!
Haha. No, there’s no weight limit, but there is a bag limit! 🙂 I didn’t even know there were YADC meet ups, so that would be a no. I just started blogging about a year ago. Kim @ kimberlyfaye reads’s latest thoughts >> Top Ten Tuesday [38]
Oh god… I hope I can take two bags on. I’m a club select member so hopefully I can Send me your email address and I’ll add you to the YADC Facebook group! We get together a lot!
Some day, I will get to be among those crowds! I have never been to a book event. But I am reading all of the tips and preparing for when my day comes! I hope you have a fabulous time! Lisa @ just another rabid reader’s latest thoughts >> #ArmchairBEA: Day Two: Author Interactions
Book events are the best! You should check to see if there are author signings in your area, it’s a great way to meet other bloggers and have a local support group!
Mofi case!!!! Awesomeness. I need one. My phone/camera dies so quickly & I can’t have that when I am stalking Billy Idol at BEA!! Lolz Bella’s Shelf’s latest thoughts >> Cruisin Away….
How do I find schedule for galley drops? I’ve been all over the BEA planner. I miss them every year. Thanks 🙂 Bella’s Shelf’s latest thoughts >> Cruisin Away….
I wish you a lot of fun Jennifer! I just came back from a small one in Berlin, Germany, and had such a great time. And you could always leave some clothes behind to make room for (signed) books 😉 aurian’s latest thoughts >> ARC review Jenn Bennett – Banishing the Dark
Haha, I unfortunately love clothes about as much as I love books! I had a great time (except for BookCon) and can’t wait to do my BEA post and share pictures of NYC and the event! I’m glad you had a great time in Berlin! I hear they are starting to do more Euro cons for you guys over there! <3
You and me…Peas in a pod! See you soon…ish?
Stephanie @ No BS Book Reviews’s latest thoughts >> The Newbie Files: BEA 2014–The Intro (Brought to you by Benedict Cumberbatch)
Yesh!
Have fun!!! You are so organized lol. I’m going on Friday only, I am so excited but wish I was going the entire time, maybe next year 🙂
Michelle @ Because Reading’s latest thoughts >> Mary Hades by Sarah Dalton Blitz #giveaway
Look for me on Friday!
I totally will 🙂
You’re all set! Can’t wait to see you 🙂
Christina @ Allodoxophobia’s latest thoughts >> Top Ten Tuesday: Pre-blog Favorites
Same here!
This is my first BEA and I’m flipping out! I love your color-coded schedule. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of that yet. *scurries off to edit calendar* I’m traveling from DC, too, but the thought of having to ship back all the books (or worse yet, limit what I pick up) caused me to have a mini-freak out yesterday and decide to drive instead. Sooooo, now I’m staying right across the river in Weehawken and will be taking a 10-minute ferry ride to the Javits every day so I didn’t have to worry about parking, driving into Manhattan OR what to do with all the bookish goodies I collect.
Kim @ kimberlyfaye reads’s latest thoughts >> Top Ten Tuesday [38]
There’s no weight limit on Amtrak! 🙂 Although I admit I struggled getting my suitcase up on the train hahaha. BUT I DID IT *flexes arm* Have we met at any YADC meet ups? I don’t feel like we have!
Haha. No, there’s no weight limit, but there is a bag limit! 🙂 I didn’t even know there were YADC meet ups, so that would be a no. I just started blogging about a year ago.
Kim @ kimberlyfaye reads’s latest thoughts >> Top Ten Tuesday [38]
Oh god… I hope I can take two bags on. I’m a club select member so hopefully I can Send me your email address and I’ll add you to the YADC Facebook group! We get together a lot!
See you there!
Liza @ Reading with ABC’s latest thoughts >> Top Ten Books in My BEA Wish List
Yes ma’am!
Some day, I will get to be among those crowds! I have never been to a book event. But I am reading all of the tips and preparing for when my day comes! I hope you have a fabulous time!
Lisa @ just another rabid reader’s latest thoughts >> #ArmchairBEA: Day Two: Author Interactions
Book events are the best! You should check to see if there are author signings in your area, it’s a great way to meet other bloggers and have a local support group!
Mofi case!!!! Awesomeness. I need one. My phone/camera dies so quickly & I can’t have that when I am stalking Billy Idol at BEA!! Lolz
Bella’s Shelf’s latest thoughts >> Cruisin Away….
How do I find schedule for galley drops? I’ve been all over the BEA planner. I miss them every year. Thanks 🙂
Bella’s Shelf’s latest thoughts >> Cruisin Away….
They are in the goodreads group! Message Hannah from Irish Banana and she can add you. I don’t know the link and I’m on my phone 🙁
I wish you a lot of fun Jennifer! I just came back from a small one in Berlin, Germany, and had such a great time. And you could always leave some clothes behind to make room for (signed) books 😉
aurian’s latest thoughts >> ARC review Jenn Bennett – Banishing the Dark
Haha, I unfortunately love clothes about as much as I love books! I had a great time (except for BookCon) and can’t wait to do my BEA post and share pictures of NYC and the event! I’m glad you had a great time in Berlin! I hear they are starting to do more Euro cons for you guys over there! <3
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