Important BEA Deadlines on the Horizon

BookExpo America is just about a month from now at the Javits Convention Center in New York City, and to receive free entry to the trade show, booksellers must register as “ABA Members” via BookExpoAmerica.com.

In addition to its free educational programming, the American Booksellers Association has a number of special events planned exclusively for member booksellers. Preregistration is required for each of these events. Don’t miss out: Deadlines are fast approaching and space is limited.

Tomorrow, Friday, April 25
Deadline for ABC Children’s Institute attendees to submit an entry to win one of five scholarships covering a three-night stay at the Barnard College dormitory, courtesy of BEA.

A flier about the accommodations and an entry form for the scholarship drawing was included in booksellers’ Children’s Institute Welcome Bags. The winner will be chosen on a random basis by BEA. Entry forms can be e-mailed or faxed back to BEA’s Jeannie Masterson at [email protected] or (203) 840-9488. Booksellers with questions can contact Masterson at (203) 840-5488. Learn more.

Friday, May 2
Deadline to secure reservations at this year’s Hotel ABA, the Grand Hyatt New York (42nd Street and Grand Central Terminal) at the ABA rate. The exclusive hotel for ABA member booksellers at BEA will feature parties hosted by Penguin Random House on Tuesday evening, May 27, and by Algonquin on Wednesday evening, May 28.

The special nightly rate for ABA members is $265, plus tax and occupancy fee, for stays from Monday, May 26, through Sunday, June 1, 2014. Reservations are via the hotel’s dedicated ABA webpage. ABA members may also call Hyatt Central Reservations at (888) 421-1442 and ask for the American Booksellers rate.

Monday, May 5
Deadline to register for two new Bookseller/Publisher Networking Opportunities at BEA.

• Meet the Editor Meetings on Wednesday, May 28, from 8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  Open to all ABA member booksellers, these meetings will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the philosophy and process of book editing. Booksellers will meet in the lobby of Hotel ABA (the Grand Hyatt at 42nd Street), and representatives from the various publishing houses will escort groups of 10 to 12 booksellers to their offices, where they will meet for 75 to 90 minutes. Booksellers who are not staying at the Grand Hyatt can meet there or go directly to their assigned publisher’s office.
   
• One-on-One Publisher Meetings on Saturday, May 31, from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
  Open to ABA member bookstore owners and managers only, these meetings will be in a “speed-dating” format. Booksellers will meet with top publishing executives for 10 minutes each. Each bookseller will meet with up to 11 publishers. These conversations are a chance for publishers and booksellers to meet one-on-one to discuss topics of mutual interest; they are not meant as a business review. These meetings will take place at the Javits Convention Center.

Booksellers must sign up for each event separately, and space is limited. Booksellers will be randomly assigned and will receive their publisher information by e-mail prior to BEA.

For more information and to register, visit the Bookseller/Publisher programming page on BookWeb.org.

Friday, May 9
Deadline to reserve a space at the 2014 Celebration of Bookselling and Author Awards Lunch, to be held on Thursday, May 29, from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m.

Up to three booksellers from each ABA member store can register for free for the Celebration Lunch, featuring the presentation of the Indies Choice and E.B. White Read-Aloud Awards.

There is no charge for this event, which is open exclusively to booksellers at ABA member stores. Questions regarding the luncheon should be e-mailed to ABA Development Officer Mark Nichols.

Make a reservation now.

Monday, May 12
Deadline to register for the ABA/CBC llustrator Tour, Speed Dating Lunch, and Author Tea.

Separate registration is required for each of these special events planned exclusively for bookseller members of the ABC Children’s Group at ABA and co-presented by the Children’s Book Council.

• ABC/CBC Illustrator Studio Tours on Wednesday, May 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  Now open to all booksellers at ABC Children’s Group member businesses, the studio tours will provide a behind-the-scenes peek into the creative lives of some of today’s top illustrators, including Sophie Blackall, Peter Sis, Brett Helquist, and Paul Zelinsky. Each tour group of four to six booksellers will visit up to three studios. Transportation and lunch will be provided. Prepayment ($34.99) is required. Space is limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
   
• ABC/CBC Speed Dating Lunch With Children’s Authors on Friday, May 30, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
  Now open to all booksellers at ABC Children’s Group member businesses, the Speed Dating Lunch is a lively affair with more than a dozen children’s book authors, including Michelle Knudsen, Jessica Day George, Mick Curato, and Jeffrey Brown. The lunch is a fun and unique way to “learn the list,” as participating authors pitch their new projects. Prepayment ($24.99) is required. Space is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
   
• The ABC/CBC Tea With Children’s Authors and Illustrators on Friday, May 30, from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.
  Now open to all booksellers at ABC Children’s Group member businesses, the tea provides attendees with an intimate and relaxing gathering with two beloved authors or illustrators. Booksellers can select their top three author/illustrator preferences during registration. Participants include Jon Scieszka, Daniel Handler, Andrea Davis Pinkney, and many others. Prepayment ($19.99) is required. Space is limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

There is no longer a restriction on the number of booksellers from a member business who may attend the ABC Group events. Find out more and reserve now.

Visit the BEA mini-site on BookWeb.org for complete details about ABA programming at BEA.

Visit BookExpoAmerica.com to register for the trade show and to buy tickets for the BEA Author Breakfasts.