Are You Going To BEA? I Am!

This year I’m going to Book Expo America (BEA) for the first time.  I am beyond exicted, even if I just get to go for two days.  Let me tell you a little bit about the ‘trip’…

At first I thought that I wouldn’t be able to take the time away from work and the kids, but I was able to squeeze just two days off (June 5 and 6).  Once I decided to go, there was a lot of debating on how to get there, where to stay, ect.  So here is a recap:

How do get there:  I live in Maryland and my first thought was to take the train to New York, the problem is that the train wouldn't get me there until around 11 and I didn’t wanted to waste the precious time I have that way.  Second, I looked into booking a flight, but the same thing happened.  Conclusion – I’m driving to N.Y., which by the way, I’m dreading (have you seen how the drive in movies?).  On the other hand I can take all the books I want since I don’t have to worry about mailing them :)

Who is coming with me: Well, as you might know I’m not a teenager. Still I don’t feel comfortable going to such a busy place by myself and neither does hubby.  He is not coming, first – because he is allergic to books, and second – because someone has to stay with the kids.  Who is coming with me?  My friend’s daughter, she is in college and her major is creative writing, her birthday is on June 5^th and she is as excited as I am.

Where to stay: I booked a hotel using BEA’s website and it wasn’t that bad (it would have been cheaper if I booked it earlier).

What I plan to do:  Since I have to drive to N.Y. on Tuesday morning I plan to go straight to the convention and then check in to the hotel and go out to dinner and back to the hotel.  On Wednesday I’m going to the Random House Power Reader Breakfast and then to the convention.  I have to drive back on Wednesday… I know if will be a couple of very busy days, but I hope it’s worth it!

Planning: 

Since this is my first time, and I'm a bit of a control freak I’ll share with you some links to useful information that I’ve found:

Goodreads BEA Group - You have to request admission to the group, but I found this forum to be of great help in my planning.

Poisoned Rationality - Lexie has a whole page with links to other blogs, posts or information.  This is a great way to learn more :)

BEA - If you are going, you definitely need to know when the autographing sessions are, so visit it often!

I promise that next year I’ll plan the trip better and make a vacation out of it so I can at least go to one show in Broadway and I can go to the Bloggers Conference. 

Finally, this is me, so if you see me there, please come say hi!

Have you been to BEA?  Do you have any advice for me?