Author Autographing & Define-A-Thon: Special Events in ABA's Book Sense Lounge

New this year, ABA's Book Sense Lounge (Room 1E07/1E08 of the Javits Convention Center) will feature an extended author autographing schedule -- from Friday through Sunday -- and the BookSense.com/American Heritage Dictionary "Define-A-Thon" on Saturday.

Two more authors recently joined the roster of independents' handselling favorites autographing in the lounge exclusively for ABA members: Robert Sabuda (Winter in White, S&S Children's) and Anita Amirrizvani (The Blood of Flowers, Little, Brown).

Here's a look at the complete schedule to date; look for updates in the Lounge during the show:

On Saturday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the lounge, booksellers are invited to join the "Define-A-Thon" phenomenon.

The BookSense.com/American Heritage Dictionary "Define-A-Thon" is a game of vocabulary strength that "ups the ante" on word-based competition. Developed by the editors of the American Heritage Dictionary, this quick-paced game takes participants beyond the spelling bee. The host will give each contestant a definition, followed by several possible answers. The contestant must choose the correct one. As the competition progresses, the degree of difficulty increases until two contestants are left. These two players will enter the final round with new rules and higher stakes.

All ABA member booksellers are invited to pit their knowledge of English against that of friends and colleagues. The winner will receive an iPod Nano and an American Heritage Dictionary reference library. The two runners-up will receive American Heritage College dictionaries.

As in years past, ABA's Book Sense Lounge will also offer members snacks and a place to relax, check e-mail, meet colleagues, and learn about ABA products and services.

Representatives from ABA affinity partners Bank of America, PartnerShip, Constant Contact, and Above the Treeline will be on hand to provide information about their money-saving services available to all members. Also featured will be information about the Independent Muggles for Harry Potter Sweepstakes, Scholastic's Main Street Essay Contest, the International Booksellers Federation 2008 Bookstore Calendar, and more.

The ABA Book Sense Lounge will once again feature the Booklog Internet Cafe, where ABA member booksellers can check their e-mail accounts or browse the web. The cafe is provided courtesy of Booklog, a point-of-sale and inventory management solution for booksellers for over 20 years.

The lounge opens at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, rather than on Thursday this year, as all of ABA's Thursday programming will be at Hotel ABA. The lounge will close at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, so that all members and staff can attend ABA's Town Hall Meeting, which is followed at 4:00 p.m. by the Annual Membership Meeting. On Saturday, the lounge will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and on Sunday, June 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.