…from Book Expo America. I’m kinda tired and my feet hurt from walking so much, but otherwise it was a great experience for me.
Comics and graphic novels had a very strong presence there. YA with dark paranormal aspects were around a lot, too. I saw a lot of UF listed in the publisher’s Fall Catalogs. Wizards of the Coast had an awesome booth that looked like an Old English bookstore, complete with shop windows, velvet curtains, and wingback chairs.
The convention hall was segregated into two areas with a long walking distance between them. One side was the big publisher side, the other side was small press, RWA, cookbooks, and children’s books. So there was lots of walking… lots and lots…
I had a wonderful time. It was interesting to see the publishers displaying/selling their wares. I did an impromptu signing for Kensington on Saturday and a scheduled signing for Ellora’s Cave later in the afternoon. I saw booksellers I’ve met before, a few author friends, I picked up ARCs for everyone in my family (I made a goody bag for each of my kids and they were happy as clams when I got back), I saw some of the promo the publishers are doing (lots of bookmarks and postcards. The books that were getting the expensive promo — cookies with the book image on them, radios, mini-fans, etc — seemed to be either literary, non-fiction, or children’s books.)
I signed with Romance Writer’s of America on Sunday and I really liked their booth and all the RWA ladies. They’re working so hard to get the word out about romance novels in a very nice way. Their booth is a mural of a sidewalk cafe and the signing tables are wrought iron patio sets. Their flyers are like Olive Garden menus–with appetizers and main courses on a Tuscan-style background. Very non-threatening to men, while still being romantic.
I’m tired and behind on my book, so I must go back to the cave and write. I hit pg. 300 in my latest manuscript and realized my slower-then-usual pace is due to something wrong earlier in the book. A wrong turn or missed opportunity. I’m not sure what it is, but I had to stop dead in my tracks and go back to the beginning to figure out what’s “off.”
Luckily, I love these characters, so I’m not completely frustrated. Just mildly irked and getting impatient. ((hugs))
I’m glad you had a great time, and I hope you take some time to relax a little too. Good luck with the writing, I can’t wait til it all comes together - means a lovely book for the readers
Wow, thanks for the update, Sylvia! Sounds like it was fun and exhausting
Hope the writing goes well!
Seems like you had a great time and got many goodies.