Calling all publishers -- especially those in marketing, sales, and publicity! You’re invited to come meet ABA staff for an update and Q&A session on all ABA and Book Sense programs on Thursday, May 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (Room 1E17K) in New York City.

Key items include Book Sense Bestseller lists and the Book Sense 76 program, BookSense.com, the Local Marketing Intelligence program, and the ABA Book Buyer’s Handbook Online. Admission is open to all BEA exhibiting publishers.

BookExpo America show management announced this week that over 500 authors have agreed to participate in BEA’s highly popular autographing program, an annual convention tradition. The autographing program features over 30 authors signing books at one place, and at one time, for 30-minute or one-hour signing sessions all day, each day of the show. BEA’s autographing area will be located on the first floor of the exhibition hall of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, and will be open on Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4.

On Thursday, May 2, ABA will be kicking off its annual convention, held in conjunction with BookExpo America (BEA), with a full day of special educational programming for booksellers. The day’s sessions will include an in-depth workshop on bookstore finances, inventory management, and a special "Marketing Strategy Session," designed to provide the latest in marketing insights and recommendations, as well as key updates on current consumer trends in book purchasing.

Booksellers planning their meal with BEA authors this year should purchase their tickets to special events now. And, please note, the pre-registration deadline for discounted attendee badges has been extended until April 15.

All BookExpo America (BEA) attendees are invited to witness the most exciting two minutes in sports -- the running of the 2002 Kentucky Derby live from Churchill Downs -- at the first-ever BookSense.com Kentucky Derby Party, on Saturday, May 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in room 1E04 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. "It’s going to be a fun event, and a great way to blow off some steam at the end of a hard-working day at the trade show," said Len Vlahos, director of BookSense.com.

New to the show this year, BookExpo America exhibiting publishers will be offering HOT DEALS -- including percentage discounts, free shipping, giveaways, and other cost-savings options -- to booksellers attending the convention.

Booksellers on the trade floor at this year’s BookExpo America, which will be open from May 3 to 5, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, will find a wide range of key information at the ABA/Book Sense Booth (#718) -- and a chance to meet the authors of some of their favorite Book Sense picks.

This year, for the first time, there will be 30-minute signings in the ABA/Book Sense Booth, beginning on Friday and continuing through Sunday. Book Sense 76 authors already confirmed include:

As a special way to welcome booksellers to BookExpo America and the ABA Convention, the association is sponsoring an Open House for booksellers at its headquarters in Tarrytown, New York, on May 1 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The offices are located at 828 South Broadway in Tarrytown, just 20 miles north of New York City, along the historic Hudson River, and just across from Washington Irving's home. ABA Board of Directors and staff will be on hand at the open house, and refreshments will be served.

There’s little over a month left before the 2002 Book Sense Book of the Year winners are announced on Friday, May 3, at the Celebration of Bookselling at this year’s BookExpo, held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. In the previous two weeks, BTW has reviewed the finalists for Children’s Literature and Children’s Illustrated and Adult Fiction .

Thirty booksellers will win the opportunity to visit with top New York authors during BookExpo America by entering the first ABFFE Author Auction. The online auction kicked off Wednesday, March 26, at 9:00 a.m. EST on the Web site of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE), www.abffe.com. The auction ends on Friday, March 29, at 3:00 p.m.