BEA 2014 Recap: Day 2 (Friday)

You can also see my Thursday recap.

Friday–aka BEA Day 2–was our worst day. Partly because it was super busy but also because, being suckers, Nicole and I were going to a book signing after Book Expo. This meant we had to bring books to the convention center. This meant we actually bought books. This also meant we would be going, and on our feet, for roughly twelve hours. Although it was not, perhaps, the best idea it was totally worth it in the end.

The day started, as BEA days always do, bright and early with a trip to the Javits Center where Nicole and I were poised to hit the exhibit floor right when it opened at 9.

Nicole and I were suitably chipper as we waited in line.

Nicole waiting in line.

Here I am waiting in line. (You will be seeing many pictures of me as this post continues!)

First up was a quick trip past Penguin to get a copy of Zodiac by Romina Russell. After that it was over to Abrams to see A. G. Howard who was signing copies of Unhinged. Abrams always does things right at BEA–this year was no exception. Their booth was well laid-out, everyone was very helpful and courteous. Also: A. G. Howard is super nice. Now that I have shiny copies of both Splintered and Unhinged I’m even more excited about the series. Yay retellings!

 

A. G. Howard with a shiny copy of Unhinged.

Told you it was shiny.

Next Nicole and I tried (and failed) to acquire some books from a Macmillan drop, but it wasn’t meant to be. Neither was seeing Becca Fitzpatrick signing her new book Black Ice. BUT we happened to be at Harper at just the right time and heard someone asking, “Do you still have tickets for Kiera Cass’ signing?” She did. And even better, she had two tickets for me and Nicole. I can’t even articulate how great and wildly unexpected this was. It meant re-planning some of the afternoon but obviously Kiera Cass would be fit in. I mean, come on.

The golden Kiera Cass Ticket

After that it was time to head over to the autographing area. Remember how I am now completely obsessed with Little Elliot in the Big City and went to great lengths to get that tote on Thursday? Well, Little Elliot creator Mike Curato was signing copies today. Obviously this was high priority. So high, in fact, that I even asked to take a picture with Mr. Curato. (You might have noticed that I don’t do that often with authors but obviously this was a special situation.) Suffice to say meeting him was everything I had hoped it would be and I am so excited for all of you to be able to read this fantastic picture book in August.

Me and Mike and his fabulous picture book.

Can you tell I’m excited about this book?

Having finally gotten everything it was possible to get with that adorable baby elephant, it was time for another signing. Next up was The Jewel by Amy Ewing. I actually don’t know much about this book but the cover is similar to The Selection and The Winner’s Curse which is enough to sell me. And a lot of other people based on the line for her autographing session.

The line was so big, in fact, there was even a sign for the “overflow” line. A sign which Nicole got to hold for a little while.

With big lines comes great responsibility as Nicole learned.

Eventually we did make it to the front of the line where we got to see Amy Ewing and get our books signed.

Amy Ewing is so cool that my phone’s camera exposure even lost its mind when I took her picture.

Ryan Graudin’s line, unfortunately was too long so Nicole and I next decided to heed the siren song of lunch.

After lunch things got a little crazy.

Also there was a car:

A car painted up for Let’s Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

First up was Chelsea Philpot’s signing for Even in Paradise which is a riff on The Great Gatsby. Everyone was excited for this book. The line was crazy. I can tell you that first-hand because this time I got to hold the sign. Let me tell you, it was more stressful than you’d think.

Don’t let my smile fool you, I took my job as sign holder very seriously.

Chelsea Philpot with her debut Even in Paradise

After that, Nicole and I had to start planning for the BIG part of the afternoon which was Holly Black signing The Darkest Part of the Forest at 2:30pm. A line was, predictably, already forming. Nicole held places for that line while I ran over to see Lenore Applehans who was signing paperbacks of The Memory of After. Another long line but I did get to see her just before the cutoff.

I had to get a mid-signature candid of Lenore Applehans because time was running out.

Nicole and I tried and failed, for the second time today, to get copies of Falling into Place by Amy Zhang but it was not meant to be today (it would happen tomorrow though). Which left us with a lot of time to wait for Holly Black.

Nicole also once again had important sign-holding duty.

Nicole was a little excited.

And that was totally worth it. I was reduced to non-insightful comments about her blue hair when I got my book signed, but that’s okay. Worth. It.

Me and Holly Black!

Next we made a quick stop at Macmillan where we scooped up Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini before heading over to the Harper booth.

At Harper we happily waited in line with our shiny tickets to see Kiera Cass. I just recently finished the Selection trilogy, which I loved, so I was quite excited about this. The whole thing is a bit of blur but I did get a picture with Kiera Cass.

Me and Kiera Cass!

And everyone got a beautiful chocolate covered cookie. Kiera Cass was signing The One which, as the title suggests, involves a rather important wedding so all of the cookies were decorated as either brides or grooms. In another bit of luck I got a “bride” and Nicole got a “groom” cookie so we could create this adorable photo:

Isn’t it cute?

Still totally pumped from meeting Kiera Cass AND Holly Black, Nicole and I split up. While she went to see Molly Idle, I headed over to Simon and Schuster to meet up with Cecelia and Ginny where we all waited to meet Scott Westerfeld. I love Scott Westerfeld and I’m very excited about his new book Afterworlds even with it being 600+ pages so this was really a thrill–particularly since I didn’t even think I’d be able to touch his line. But I did! And I have photographic evidence!

Scott Westerfeld with his forthcoming title Afterworlds.

Next it was a quick stop at Isabel Gillies’ signing of Starry Night.

You can’t see it but Isabel Gillies also drew a giant star next to her signature.

Then it was time to retrieve out bags and, like the suckers we are, head over to Books of Wonder.

Books of Wonder had a great panel set up with Garth Nix, J. L. Armentrout, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Gretchen McNeil, Maggie Stiefvater, A. G. Howard and Alethea Kontis.

Now, my love for Alethea Kontis knows no bounds. Garth Nix, as I mentioned, is almost never in New York. I had a copy of Splintered just waiting for A. G. Howard to sign it. And, through sheer happenstance, I managed to acquire a copy of all of Maggie Stiefvater’s YA books. SO even though it hurt my soul to go to a book event right after being at a book convention, this really was a no brainer. And, believe it or not, Nicole felt the same way. So we dutifully headed over to Chelsea.

Now, the event was very crowded and I was already very tired so I can’t share much in the way of a recap beyond saying that all of the authors were very smart and charming.

I was very excited to get my full set of Old Kingdom books signed by Garth Nix.

A. G. Howard was delightful and had necklaces with key and lock charms for every reader.

Also Alethea Kontis looked fabulous. (I am so excited to read Dearest!)

Alethea Kontis looking fabulous as usual.

And Maggie Stiefvater stood on the table. (She’s such a rockstar. One day soon when I have more time I have to finish all of her books. I’m also ashamed because I forgot to tell her The Scorpio Races is my favorite of her books not The Dream Thieves–although I also loved that one. It just gets confusing when you have a stack of books to get signed and have been awake for twelve hours!)

Maggie Stiefvater standing on the table.

And with that, finally, day two of BEA came to a close.

Check back tomorrow for my final recap of day three.