BookCon, ALA, and Blogoversary…Oh, My!

I’ve been putting off this post because there’s just so much that goes into writing a recap…first I went to BookCon, and I was going to post my recap right when I got back but I had reviews to post…then ALA came up out of the blue with an invitation and I was planning for that. Now it’s almost my Blogoversary and I just can’t wait anymore…we need to talk Cons! 

I’ve tried to think of a way to do this all together…and I think I figured out a way…

First of all, I want to THANK EVERYONE who helped me get to BookCon in the first place! I met amazing people and got business cards and it was wonderful to know that people knew me from Twitter and my blog. Without you guys, I wouldn’t have ever been to a Con in my LIFE. 

I’ll be giving back to the community with some giveaways this month, which also coincides with my 1 year Blogoversary on July 14, the anniversary of my first WP post. 
I’ve already started with a small one on Twitter: it’s the money for shipping that makes it hard for me. But I’m going to do my best, darn it! 

There was also some tough times during some of these events but I’m going to stick to the positive and then give some tips about what I learned when going to Cons. It will make going for me much easier and hopefully will help others who decide to take the Con plunge! 

So let’s break down BookCon first, since it was the first one I attended, shall we?

Ok. So with the help of amazing people, I got to take a Greyhound to Port Authority, and then I roomed with several people also going to the Con. One of the girls staying there had been to BEA and she had some amazing books, which made me super excited! 

We got there early, which was good bc it is open to the public, and the line was LONG! I put a “Hello My Name Is” sticker on my shirt with my Twitter handle so people who were attending might know me. It worked! 

  (Remember, I was in line from 7:30 to 9, then the running around the convention, so I didn’t look my best here. You’ll want to keep that in mind when attending and taking pics)

I started with my hair down and then decided it was WAY easier to just ponytail it up! I wanted to take more pics but you get so caught up in the frenzy! You forget so much! 

*I didn’t even know you could use the side volume button for selfies: I was using the home button!*

I also met some amazing authors and got Instax pics and had them signed. Of course, I ran out of film with Marie Lu, but got several cell pics with her. (Made up for the film faux pas)

 I have a ton of signed Instax pics from Cora Cormack, Renee Ahdieh, Victoria Aveyard, Adam Silvera, Lauren Bird Horowitz, and others! I’ll have to take pics of the pics like I did for the VE Schwartz signing.
Marie was my fave bc she ran into me multiple times AND I saw her at ALA. I was thrilled to meet Cora because I love being on her street team with Roar. My friend gave me a HC copy and it’s beautiful. And I was so busy I missed her lunch invite. 

I did take some pics of my haul but mainly it was in suitcases bc I have no room. But I think I’ll be sharing that in my blogoversary post with some giveaways! 

It was great and I was stuck on Greyhound getting back…I had a 9 hour delay so I’ll be remembering that for future travel! 


Ok, so that was BookCon! Let’s get into ALA before I have you all snoring from my trip! 😂

I was generously invited to go with some people to ALA. I was very excited and I was also able to save us some money on tickets through LibraryThing: Proquest was offering complimentary Exhibitor Guest passes to those going to Chicago! So that was a great email and I love that app (I use it to organize my library). 

(I’m not going to get into any drama but again focus on the positives. I’ll make a list of dos and don’ts that I learned after)

ALA was THE BEST. Blew BookCon out of the water! 

I posed with Mr. Shuu. 

I met BroodingYAHero’s “co-author,” Carrie. (SkyPony Press is awesome!)

Marie Lu and I (again) – I was so happy to see her so soon again! 

Sarah Best Durst and I (author of The Queen of Blood and The Reluctant Queen…I also own her book Vessel from a library sale)

Mary Weber, author of The Evaporation of Sofi Snow! 

Maggie Stiefvater and I – need I say more? I’ve always wanted to meet her! She’s THE BEST!

Katherine Locke and I – with The Girl With the Red Balloon 🎈 

Cindy Pon knew I wanted Want, and she remembered I was excited for it! She stopped by to say hi to Axie Oh! 

So I got to meet two of the best people I correspond with online! Yay for Rebel Seoul!

I thin Anna is an angel because for some reason, my camera did this ONLY when I was with her! What an effect! 

Dhonielle Clayton, you stole my heart! 

Those were some of the best pics of the event. I got more cell pics bc I was told that my Instax would be considered unprofessional, and it does make sense. ALA was filled with Educators, Librarians, and Bloggers. No running or shoving like a BookCon. I met Mrs. Feiwel and some great people (as I sub I don’t really have business cards, and I never thought to make them for my blog) who gave me their cards for the Education dept of the Imprint, which carries Discussion Guides and Lesson zplans made up for the material in advance! Access to that is Heaven! (Do you know how long a lesson plan can take sometimes? Or a Unit Plan?? 🙄)

It was great, and I ended up with some great books. 

THE DO’S AND DONT’S OF ATTENDING CONS:

1. Try not to travel or room with people you haven’t been with before. Personalities clash. I’m attending ALA Midwinter with my mother and possibly Fernanda. Costs are high but emotions can run higher. 
2. Lock your suitcase. I did this with BookCon but not with ALA. I mainly did it at BookCon for the Greyhound bus but I think it’s just a good idea. 
3. Get there early. I’d rather wait in line than miss out. I’m sure you would, too. BookCon was essential when it came to getting there early. It’s a MUST.
4. TRY TO exercise before you go: there’s a lot of walking involved and if you’re a bigger person like me, you will be EXHAUSTED. I was embarrassed to be sweaty and hug authors. You don’t want to do that. 
5. Bring a backup charger. I didn’t have one at a BookCon but did have one for ALA. Didn’t regret it. I have a case that charges the phone to 100% when it gets low. I also brought a charger. Defintely a plus. 
6. Take a haul pic if you want! I did it for me and it’s cool…it also helps you remember what you have already. Limited space. 
7. No matter what, the good outweighs the bad. You’re getting to attend an amazing experience, and though drama and bad can happen, don’t let it take away from the good: books, friends, authors, and fun. That’s why we go…and that’s what I’ll always remember. (I got to meet Em and Liz, too! In person!)

Ok…if you’ve hung in this long, then you’ll be able to hear about my BLOGOVERSARY! 

Since this post is already so long, I’ll make a separate one with the details…but here’s the gist: my 1 year is on July 14, so I’ll be celebrating all month with some great indie authors, fun giveaways, and blog tour events with Rafflecopter entries! It’s a month long extravaganza and you’re all invited! I’ve been planning this awhile and I wanted to let you know now that it’s here! Hang in there, baby. Like the cat poster says: we are going to celebrate!