Highlights from the Author Signings at BEA 2011

Here's a few highlights from the author signings at Book Expo this year. There were many more that I just didn't get pictures from, and even more that I couldn't get to at all. But it's always such a rush to be there with all the energy and excitement for new and future releases and to meet these authors even if it's just for a moment.

They're all so nice too, even after signing what must seem like a zillion books.

Buy their books - they're awesome!

Me with Melissa Marr with her new books:  Darkest Mercy & Enthralled

Scott Westerfeld and his new book: Goliath

Obert Skye and his new book: Beyond Foo

Lisa Mangum with her recent release:  The Forgotten Locket

Michael J. Rosen & Robert Sabuda signing and excerpt from Chanukah Lights

Rick Riordan signing The Throne of Fire

Mo Willems signing Should I Share My Ice Cream?

Piggie and Elephant from the Mo Willems books

Gail Carson Levine with her new book: A Tale of Two Castles

Brian Selznick with the advance for his new book:  Wonderstruck

David Lubar with his new book:  Attack of the Vampire Weenies

Jon Scieszka and other contributing authors with Guys Read: Thriller

Karin Slaughter and I

The autographing area was packed most of Tuesday and Wednesday.  Toward the end of the day it was a bit lighter and Thursday they only used half of the available tables.  I made lots of line friends again this year; another nice thing about BEA - visiting with readers from around the country.  Lots of librarians and bloggers as well as booksellers.  The better part of each day was spent waiting in long line after long line, but so worth it.  Always fun!

 

Book Country: A New Site for Online Critiquing

Yesterday I flew back from Book Expo America; it was a really great this year and there are loads of exciting new books to look forward to in the fall.  I'll post some pictures later.

In this post I'd like to let other writers know about Book Country.  I heard about their booth Wednesday night while on the shuttle back to the hotel.  I was sitting next to a woman from Connecticut who had a booth to market a collection of major league baseball coloring books for a company she's started and her booth was nestled into one of the spots at the far end of the conference hall and along the back wall.  Definitely a lower traffic area.  The booth next to hers was for Book Country.  When she heard I was a writer as well as a librarian she told me about them, so naturally I made a point to stop by and visit.

Book Country (Penguin) is a bit like Authonomy (HarperCollins) if you've used that site, but Book Country is running on its beta version right now and since it's new it doesn't have as many users yet.

Individuals can sign-up for accounts and they can access and critique the works of other writers.  Accounts are free and once a member has critiqued at least three manuscripts they become eligible to have their work critiqued by others too.  If you're posting a manuscript of your own you get to place it in the genre(s) you think most suitable and you get to write your own summary to pitch your book to prospective readers.

It looks like an excellent site designed to educate writers and readers and let them learn by doing.  I've just signed up, but have yet to do any critiquing or uploading.  I'll probably look around for a little while and do some critiquing before I decide on uploading anything.

Have you tried one of these sites, or another one that's similar?  Which one was it and how did you like it?

Here's a video posted to YouTube by Book Country:

Book Expo Highlights

I know I'm posting this a bit late. Book Expo America's been over for more than two weeks now. But it was still great, so naturally I want to share. Here's a few of the highlights:

Photo Above - seated:  Jon Land, Brad Meltzer, Lisa Jackson, Gayle Lynds, Steve Berry

The Thriller Writers' Panel was the last session in Library Journal's Day Dialog, right before the expo's official opening featuring Barbara Streisand.  The five authors who took part were Jon Land, Brad Meltzer, Lisa Jackson, Gayle Lynds, and Steve Berry.  (See above photo.)  The five authors covered topics from the moderator and audience about their books, experiences as writers, and advice to writers.


Brad Meltzer encouraged writers to keep writing and to keep sending out their work.  He reminded the audience that that was how each of the panel members came to be published.  The panel was great and left me with an excitement to get to know each of the authors better through their novels.  Ah, so many books.

When I talked to Gayle Lynds at a book signing later at the Mystery Writers of America booth during the expo, she told me that two of her greatest resources were National Geographic Magazine and AAA.  I asked why AAA found it was because of all the great maps they send their members.

And did you know Barbara Streisand was coming out with a book too?   My Passion for Design is coming out this November and it sounds like will be really nice.  She's even taken her own photos for the book.  It was a lot of fun listening to her talk about design.  I love Barbara Streisand!

Other authors I was able to meet at the expo included:

Lemony Snicket

Rick Riordan

Carol Higgins Clark and Mary Higgins Clark

Rosemary Wells

Lee Child

Rosemary Harris

. . . and many others.  I didn't get pictures of everyone, but it was nice to get a few pictures where I could.  Sandra Boynton, Paul Auster, Cara Black, and Carla Neggers to name a few others.  It was so great to be there, surrounded by others who love books, write books, sell books, and get books into the hands of readers.