BEA 2014 Wrap Up: Day 2 + Giveaway!

Whoa! I woke up before 6 a.m. on the opening day of BEA. Which is shocking because it is a struggle to make it to work by 9 a.m. most days. I decided since I was up that I'd head to the Javits early and scope everything out.

I arrived around 7:15ish via cab (one of two luxuries I allowed myself). The ticketed autographing booth had a minimal line so I checked my luggage and got tickets for Ann Martin, Rachel Russell and Gregory Maguire. I found a spot in the line for the expo floor and plotted my day with the daily Publisher's Weekly.

I found out quickly that I should've printed my schedule instead of referring to it on my phone! Lesson learned. I also saw people set calendar reminders so that maybe the next method I try as well.

The show floor opened and there were people and tote bags everywhere! Not to mention the books... all the books. Not to be dramatic, but the gates of book heaven had opened and I was grabbing everything that remotely looked YA. This may sound greedy, but literally the crowds are determining where you go and everything is happening so fast!

After the Ann Martin signing I was kind of wandering aimlessly for a bit, taking everything in and visiting booths for drop schedules. I found out really quickly that autographing didn't mean much to me if I could get the book at a drop. And I saw these awesome guys made completely from Legos... score!

 

I did go to the Harlequin Teen Power Hour where six authors where signing at once! This totally made it worth the wait, not to mention that my must get ARC was there, Talon by Julie Kagawa. Day made. She is so awesome and so sweet, I was probably grinning like a major goofball!

Harlequin Teen Power Hour! 

My trip is complete!

By this time the tote bags were full and I needed to make a luggage drop. Much to my surprise not everything would fit! Agh! What's a girl to do... oh, well... I'd have to figure it out later because there was still so much more to do.

Next came the Melissa Marr signing for Made for You which is set in North Carolina, woot woot! This line was crazy long and I was the last person in the cut-off based on the autograph captain's count. This is of course if no one cuts *side eyes*. Some people disappeared from the line and I still wasn't sure if I'd get a copy. Sure enough the person in front of me was due to get the last ARC. What I didn't notice was Harlequin author Dawn Metcalf was in front of me!!!!! Bonus: She was sooo sweet and let me have the last ARC. I will never forget this!

The rest of the day was focused on getting galleys and figuring out my book transport situation. I decided to breakdown and use the Expo shipping area. Yes, it is MEGA expensive but as I get older I find I'm willing to pay for life's conveniences, even if that means I don't eat but get to save my shoulders. If you can swing it, it's worth the cost. I left my books there each day and on the last day shipped them out via UPS.

I didn't make it to the Gregory Maguire signing because I was done! Just done. I needed a nap since my introvertedness was starting to show. I gave away my ticket, went backed to the room and slept through Blogger Happy Hour. I was a bit sad about that but I needed the sleep... on to day 3!

Open to U.S. only, sorry! I will do an international giveaway soon. Complete rules here.

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Check back Monday – Tuesday for more BEA coverage! 

Missed Day 1? Check it out here.