BookExpo America discussion

Hey, so I'm hoping to go to BEA next year, and wondered how far in advance you look for accommodation? Since it's NEW YORK in 2017 and I know NY can be expensive. I'm going on my own so was hoping to find people to share with, if possible.
Also, when do BEA tickets usually go on sale?

Sorry if this was put in the wrong section. :/

Katheryn wrote: "Hey, so I'm hoping to go to BEA next year, and wondered how far in advance you look for accommodation? Since it's NEW YORK in 2017 and I know NY can be expensive. I'm going on my own so was hoping ..."

Look for registration to open sometime in December 2016-ish. As far as accommodations, BEA won't announce their hotel blocks until early in 2017, and they're usually pretty good deals. I'd wait until at least then.

I think i'd be awesome if we could get a group of (quiet, bookish) people to take on a room at a hostel. If anyone is into that for saving money. I ended up with a private room at a hostel in Chicago and it was great. I am going to wait to see what their hotel deals are though.

There's a hostel I was tempted by called New York Budget Inn. There might be rooms left if we get a group together.

You can also, which I may suggest my normal group does, look into airbnb. We've done it in the past (well not my BEA group, but my gaming group friends out in Austin and up in Boston) for conferences and its always worked out very well. It was somewhat more convenient since we spend more than three days in a place (for BEA we usually spend about 5 or 6 days in NYC).

As for when the badges go on sale - wait for twitter or this group to crash XD no but seriously this year's BEA badges were getting ready as early as what? November 2015 I think? They stagger the tiers (so usually Press/Blog/Media is a couple weeks after the other registration categories), but keep a look out because they've been known to spring the hotel sales without warning (OnPeak is the worst).

I've just got an amazingly near hotel booked (was free to book now, pay later) and it's like...five minutes away. it was $1114 and divided by 4 people would be brilliant! Now I have the fun job of finding people to share with. LOL. I booked from the Monday to the Friday, because I have somewhere (cheaper) to stay on the weekend since I'll be with a friend. I realise some people would want Friday night, but I didn't want to do that if I'm not staying, you know?

Katheryn wrote: "I've just got an amazingly near hotel booked (was free to book now, pay later) and it's like...five minutes away. it was $1114 and divided by 4 people would be brilliant! Now I have the fun job of ..."

Do you mind if I ask what hotel that amazing deal was at?

Lexie wrote: "You can also, which I may suggest my normal group does, look into airbnb. We've done it in the past (well not my BEA group, but my gaming group friends out in Austin and up in Boston) for conferenc..."

Yes could you share the hotel? :)

Yeah, it's the Magnuson Convention Center Hotel. OK so when I say it's amazing, I don't mean the hotel is. But the price was reasonable if split between 4. I have two bookings, one for 4 nights and one for 6, so I can decide which one to do nearer the time. Obviously the 6night one was more expensive, but yeah.

Has anyone received any email blasts or info on Bea this year ? For New York anyone get an invite how does this normally work

Gina wrote: "Has anyone received any email blasts or info on Bea this year ? For New York anyone get an invite how does this normally work"

So far I've only seen the on-sale info for BookCon. I did get an email a while back saying that registration info would be sent out in November so hopefully we'll hear something soon. I'm very curious about the changes that are supposedly happening to limit bloggers.

I am staying at the Y on 59th Street at Columbus Circle. There should still be rooms left that a group could take. The rates are very reasonable.

Anyone hear anything about why BEA registration hasn't opened yet? Website said early November, it's now December! Andy curious about Jessica's comment on limiting bloggers...hadn't heard anything about that!

Jen wrote: "Anyone hear anything about why BEA registration hasn't opened yet? Website said early November, it's now December! Andy curious about Jessica's comment on limiting bloggers...hadn't heard anything ..."

Nothing at all :(. I wish they'd explain what's exactly going to happen to bloggers. I haven't been able to book my Airbnb nor buy my flight tickets because I don't know if I will be approved to attend :/.

They doubled the price for bloggers and many others. Many bloggers will not be going due to the ticket price now being $300.00 if you purchase before May and $400.00 after. So it is basically $150.00 a day to attend.

I just got an e-mail about registration for BookExpo 2017 now. But so much to fill in - even employer and people I work with - and I'm a blogger so that's just not possible.
I'm not going next year, though.

o.o they raised it for non-ABA members too. Sigh. Yeah so if the price tag doesnt deter folk, their non-transparent rules for verification will weed others out.

They're super serious. And Blogger Con is still not worth it to me.

sorry Book Con, ugh I hate the mobile site for GR I can't edit.

Do you guys know if BookExpo Tickets ever run out? Like would I need to purchase them ASAP or would I be able to hold off until later on. Just because since its around the holidays I would like to wait a couple weeks to get some more money for tickets

A heads up...I registered yesterday and the money was immediately taken from my account....which is not what is stated on the application. The application says the credit card was ups only get charged once my application is approved.

So if you don't have the extra cash on hand right now...wait until you do.

I hope I'll get in, and I rather know sooner than later which is why I just bit the bullet and registered. They are saying a decision will be given within 21 business days.

::fingers crossed::

If the hotel I already booked wasn't so cheap...I probably would not be able to attend with these higher ticket prices.

Melanie wrote: "Do you guys know if BookExpo Tickets ever run out? Like would I need to purchase them ASAP or would I be able to hold off until later on. Just because since its around the holidays I would like to ..."

If you are in a category that needs to submit an application, I would apply sooner than later (i.e. Don't wait until April to apply). They have a smaller cap this year for attendees.

Melanie you should be fine if you wait til January. but yes I wouldn't wait til April.

hnn if they're taking it out immediately then are they refunding immediately upon being rejected? or do you have to wait even longer?

I thought I posted this earlier but I guess not. If anyone hasn't seen this article it might shed some light on the changes.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by...

so...is the Frankfurt Book Fair and London Book Fair also gonna non-regionalize their names..I believe Frankfurt is the second largest industry event for the publishing world?

It all sounds like they realized Book Con wouldn't flourish until they cut off the (comparatively) cheaper avenue for bloggers. Yeah the ticket was more for BEA but you GOT more and you didn't have to spend a dime in the Hall (excluding donations to the non profit and if you got breakfast tickets).

Now those who balked at BookCon will have a financial reason to look at it closely, especially locals who can't afford the maybe possibility of BEA and it's ticket price.

Hello! My friend and I recently started a blog (June 2016) after wanting to do it for years. Our following isn't all too big yet, but we are extremely dedicated to reading and reviewing! Attending BEA is a dream of ours, and I was wondering if any of you could explain how difficult it is to get in as a blogger? We aren't a big blog at all, but we feel attending BEA would be a great way to network and meet new people in the industry. Do we have any chance at all of being allowed to attend, or should we not even try at all?

Thank you so much guys!

Hey Meaghan -
So here's the thing, before 2017 the chances of you getting in as a blogger were pretty high even with a new blog and small following. While they weren't transparent about their arbitrary rules, no one listing themselves as a "blogger" was denied (as far as I know) for the last few years.

Now with 2017 and the decrease in bloggers allowed (I believe the number is 6000 total? Which sounds like a lot, but bloggers made up - according to their numbers in 2014 - about 15,000 of the non-industry attendees), and really specific blog application process, I think your odds are much smaller.

As others have mentioned they require you to submit a "monthly visitor" total that is verified (either by a screenshot of your visitor count through whatever analytics program you use or some other source). As always ReedPop has not released how much is the "Sweet" amount to be eligible, and we're still too early in the registration season to know for sure (they give a 21 day window for when you know if you are accepted or not), so it may not be a crazy amount.

One thing to keep in mind is that, unless this is dependent on your credit card company and not ReedPop's system, they are charging up front the entrance fee in some cases.

For everyone - there's a few posts that might help you see kind of what's going on/coherent thoughts on it:

(video link) https://t.co/BuitWRQ45F
http://ltlibrarian.com/is-bea-pushing...
https://kliscruggs.wordpress.com/2016...

If someone else doesn't catch the posts I'll try to update when folk start getting accepted/rejected. Maybe if we parse through it all we can figure it out...

Thank you guys! One more question, what if I was going with a group? We all work under the same blog, is there a chance one of us might get accepted and not the other? Is there anything to do then?

They may limit who can and can't go if they deem your blog just hits the threshold for acceptable visitor count. I know in the past, when it comes to bookstores they will deny passes if too many apply under the same store and the ReedPop folk think it's an excessive amount for the size of the store.

Ah darn ): also, how does it work if we need an adult? My friend and I are gonna be just barely under 18, but my dad helps out with the blog (helps manage it for us), so we wanted to try and get a pass for him too, so we would be allowed in. But with the possible limit you just mentioned, that probably won't work out, I guess?

Wow so many really good questions here!! I'm really disappointed in how this whole BookExpo thing is going. How are under 18's supposed to go? What are bloggers/booktubers supposed to put in the "employer" boxes or the "references" boxes? Are there going to be press passes issued to any of us? How many of us are going to be denied entry and what are the deciding factors on that?

It's amazing that the publishing industry has become so short sighted and refuses to acknowledge that we live in a digital world. People aren't finding out about books based on NYT Reviews or trips to the bookstore-- they're finding out about them on blogs and Twitter and Instagram and YouTube. Also, the book industry doesn't pay its bloggers as other industries do. I'll never understand the shunning of FREE publicity.

And don't get me started on the publishers being their own worst enemy at BEA. They create the hype and the atmosphere for frenzies and then they get upset when people get overly excited and anxious for the books. They can't have it both ways-- they want certain books to be coveted and get BEA buzz, but then get upset when people are desperate to get those books. It confuses me.

Meaghan - in the past parents have had to get their own pass as well. I know some were able to sort of get a "parent" pass by pleading their case and it has some restrictions on it, but I have a feeling that's not gonna fly any longer.

Would it be possible for you & your co-blogger to join with other younger bloggers who need a parent with them? Maybe see if one of the parents can act as a sort of den mother/father while at the show?

Michelle - yeah I'd say for the most part the Hype Machine atmosphere is the publishers' self fulfilling prophecy of dread (which, someone who's as veteran as me at BEA correct me if I'm wrong, started with THRONE OF GLASS for debut authors back in 2012 didn't it?). The free publicity thing...that's a bit harder. We call it free publicity, but for publishers it does cost them since ARCs cost more to create.

Granted other industries get paid, but other industries have rules, regulations and a governing association of some kind to help facilitate that (we don't technically fall under the Journalism or Critic categories of their respective associations). The book blog community (and its sister communities on YouTube and Instagram now) kind of just...blew up suddenly. Heck most publishers didn't start taking advantage of this social media gestalt until the last couple of years. So I'm not surprised that they still don't quite know how to handle us.

We're fine with paying the whole price again, I just don't know how I would go about even getting my dad accepted? If they're having restrictions now, they probably won't accept someone who has to have an additional parent with them either /:

I didn't even think to wonder about this - are they age restricting (not just in accepting blogger applications, but in general)? It defeats their purpose is they only accept the blogger or only accept the parent after all, so from an efficiency standard point it would make more sense for them to not allow anyone under 18 at all.

Yea that's what I'm worried about. It just sucks because this is my last year in the US, but I'm just barely under 17 at this point.

Meaghan, how close are you to NYC if you don't mind me asking? Much as they would lead one to believe, BEA is not the only book show in America. If you can travel, there are other cheaper and more relaxed options.

I'm actually not that close at all, in Florida actually. I've been trying to find others as well, more relaxed ones, but it's tough.

And I really don't mind traveling at all!

Meaghan. !!! Florida!?! That's good news for you. Check out ALA MidWinter in Atlanta GA. It's coming up, the end of January, but it's a LOT cheaper than BEA and no restrictions if you just want to go on the exhibit floor. Your dad and your friends should be able to go no problem!

Now, it's not as big as BEA and less author signings, but it's also less crowded and more relaxed. The same etiquette applies though. Always ask, never just take, etc.

PM me if you want more details. I'll help if I can. :)

Lexie wrote: "Meaghan - in the past parents have had to get their own pass as well. I know some were able to sort of get a "parent" pass by pleading their case and it has some restrictions on it, but I have a fe..."

I'd say the cost of printing ARCs (which they would do anyway) and the cost of mailing is a drop in the bucket when it comes to the amount the publicity we give would cost. Not arguing with you, but it benefits them in a big way. They just know that we have a passion for books and they're taking advantage that we'll give the publicity whether they treat us good or not. I don't think anyone "deserves" to get anything or to be able to go to a private conference-- but I do think bloggers and other digital outlets deserve to be acknowledged as legitimate marketers of books.

Michelle - Oh I agree with that sentiment whole heartedly, but I think that comes back to not having some sort of organization to fight for us. We should unionize so the world will know (sorry I'm listening to the Newsies soundtrack right now)

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to update you all on how my application process is going. I applied the day registration opened 12/8 and I was accepted yesterday 12/13.

My credit card has been charged twice, and I believe one of the charges/hold is currently being reversed.

If you plan on applying I would recommend you do it sooner, rather than later...to avoid it taking longer to get approved as they get more and more applications.

Also, if you have more than one person in your group it does not look like you can add them to your registration, Meaning they would have to apply for themselves/as individuals.

How did you know you were accepted? I'm confused because I got a confirmation email almost immediately, but was also told that the process could take up to 21 days.

I'm wondering if the confirmation was merely confirming my application of if I'm in.

Ps-Not a blogger--I'm a teacher, so maybe it's a different process?

Cristin,

I first received an email to confirm my application was in review.

Then I received a second email saying my badge is approved and with my badge number.


I am not sure about educators. Did you choose that option when applying? My friend Nicole is going as an educator. I can ask her how the process went for her.
Check your email. If they did not give you a badge number then your application is still processing. However, I would call them because I thought educators were automatically approved. Like I said, I'll check with my friend and reply back.

Cristin wrote: "How did you know you were accepted? I'm confused because I got a confirmation email almost immediately, but was also told that the process could take up to 21 days.

I'm wondering if the confirmati..."

I applied as a teacher too, so that's not a problem. You are automatically accepted. In your confirmation email you will also see your badge number :)

I think to a certain extent every one but Press and Blogger are accepted automatically (at least for categories that would matter to us - I'm sure the Author validating process may take some time too?). My friend and I applied as ABA booksellers and were accepted straight away.

Yep, there's a badge number! This is my first year, so I just didn't know what to expect. Thanks for the answers :)

I wonder if anyone has applied as a Book Club Leader? I work for a bookstore, so I was going to apply under Bookstore Non-ABA, but was able to go under my boss's ABA (thankfully), but if I didn't work at a bookstore, I would have tried as a Book Club Leader since I run 2 of the 4 book clubs I'm in.

Kate wrote: "I wonder if anyone has applied as a Book Club Leader? I work for a bookstore, so I was going to apply under Bookstore Non-ABA, but was able to go under my boss's ABA (thankfully), but if I didn't w..."

I was wondering that too. Last year I applied as Blogger and they gave me a Book Club Leader badge.... so I was thinking about just going under that again.