I'm back from ALAMW14 and completely booked-out. Not only did I get to meet some awesome publishing people, but I got to hang out with all my favorite blogger friends! A big thank you to Hannah and Jen who took me under their wings and showed me the ropes for my first convention.
Rather than do a recap, I compiled a few Dos/Don'ts from everything I learned (plus a fun giveaway!).
Do prep ahead of time and know your floor plan. Also, highlight and laminate it like Hannah. I found myself asking, "Wait. Where is the Harper booth again?" five million times.
Don't forget to gush to Matthew Quick about Sara Zarr when you wait for him to sign your book. Unless you want to feel really embarrassed later.
Do talk! I have the hardest time talking to people I don't know (introvert, holla!), but book people can talk forever about books! So I asked lots of questions, but the one I found most effective was: "Which books are you most excited about?"
Don't forget to include your agent's name on your business cards (like I did and then fought the urge to write it in with Sharpie). Also, if you want publishers to send you anything or put you on their lists, make sure your address is on there too (lesson number two for me!). If giving out your address to everyone makes you feel uncomfortable, some bloggers said they had two sets of cards.
Do dress in layers. It was freezing and snowing outside, but a sauna inside the convention center.
Don't forget to bring an extra tote. I thought I was good having two, but really needed three. And luckily Hannah had an extra I could snag on the way home. Plus, those books get heavy and you'll need to redistribute the weight. (Also, DON'T judge my ugly orange carpet!)
Do gush about all the writer friends you know who have ARCs out on display. I seriously fangirled when I saw agency brother Robert Lettrick's FRENZY at the Disney Hyperion Booth.
Don't forget to check out the other booths! It was really cool to talk to people who published non-fiction and audio books. I even picked up this cool memoir by Jennifer Buhl about her life as a paparazzi.
Do ask the marketing and PR people at the booths for the titles you want--even if they aren't sitting out. It never hurts to ask (super, super politely!).
Don't take more than one of each book--or any books you know you aren't going to read. I know they are just sitting out EVERYWHERE, but it's important that they get read and are reviewed. They're meant to build buzz for the book.
Do pass on the book love! That's why I'm giving away an ARC of E. Lockhart's WE WERE LIARS and Leila Howland's NANTUCKET RED! Enter the Rafflecopter below!
I've never attended a convention before (it would be a dream to go to one!) but my DO would be to get all huggy with my favourite authors and tell them how much I adore them and my DON'T would be being greedy and taking all the books. Haha! Thank you so much for the giveaway, Valerie!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hazel! Hope you get to go to a convention soon. They are really fun. Good luck in the giveaway. WE WERE LIARS is a really great story!
DeleteTaking books you know you aren't going to read sounds like it would be my top don't if I ever went to a book convention. I've never been to one, but I'm young! Hopefully, I'll be able to go to at least one in my lifetime. It sounds like heaven. Having books, their authors, and fellow booknerds and bloggers around me would be simply amazing! And so fun!
ReplyDeleteOh, and my do would have to be getting to know the people around me. I love talking to fellow bookworms. :) Thank you for the great giveaway!
DeleteIt's super easy to talk about books, isn't it? I should also add "Do remember people's names" after you talk with them for an hour about books. lol
DeleteThanks, Kaitlin! Good luck for the giveaway!
I've never been to a conference and don't know if I'll ever have the chance,but if I do I am definitely using you Do/Don't list ;)
ReplyDeleteDON'T stand still in the middle of an aisle.
ReplyDeleteDO be patient. Most people mean well.
DO wear the most comfortable shoes you own.
DO spring for bag check so you can take a rolling suitcase and save your shoulders.
Those are great Dos and Don'ts!! I meant to mention the shoes--my feet hurt so bad when I got home!! :)
DeleteMy girlies and I are going to the ALA in Vegas later this year, this is all great advice, especially the business card advice. So happy to see you got such a big stash. And fangirling over fellow writer's books isn't going to be a problem.
ReplyDeleteI've never been, so I guess my number one DO would have to be - GO!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, I really, really want to go at those conference, but I live in Perú :/
ReplyDeleteDO be the most awesome agency sis ever. Check!
ReplyDeleteLoved this! Looks so fun.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a convention but hopefully will be hitting up BEA. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteMy do's: Make a schedule with the location, what's at it, and the time all in order! Also, wear comfortable shoes!
ReplyDeleteMy don'ts: Don't be greedy!
DO: Wear comfy shoes!
ReplyDeleteDON'T: Be discouraged if you don't get every single book you wanted. You will still get a lot and it'll still be awesome!
DO: Be courteous. Wear comfy shoes. Bring your own bottle of water, and snacks!!! Gum too ;)
ReplyDeleteDON'T: Push! Beg for freebies. Take more than one book (saw someone take 4 books once!)
DO wear comfortable shoes and clothing. DO take books that you know you will absolutely read. DO talk and interact with the publishers.
ReplyDeleteDON'T take more than one book (of the same kind).
I HAVE NO IDEA! But that's just because I have never been to one! I loved reading your list of Do's and Don't's though, Valerie! :)
ReplyDeleteHopefully I can use some of these tips at BEA this year =D
ReplyDeletei've never been to a conference like the one you've described. we don't have them here in hawaii and it's too expensive to travel to the mainland :(
ReplyDeleteOoh, this makes me excited to go to a conference one day! Hopefully on the strength of my own published novel. :) Thanks for the giveaway! I'm really excited about "We Were Liars."
ReplyDeleteI've never been to one but man I want to go! Especially if I got to meet some of my favorite bloggers as well as authors. :D
ReplyDeleteI have never been to a book convention before, but if I ever get the chance I will definitely remember these dos and don'ts! One of my dos is to be prepared and plan where to go at what time. One of don'ts would most definitely be not to take any books I know I won't read.
ReplyDelete