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.

BookExpo America’s autographing program will also highlight various "Author Salutes," which will feature authors of particular genres signing at specific times of day. BEA 2002 Author Salutes include: Salute to Romance Novels, Salute to First-Time Authors, Salute to Mystery Writers, Salute to Children’s Books, Morning of Health and Wellness, Salute to African-American Authors, Salute to Nonfiction and Business Books, Salute to Science Fiction and Fantasy, and Salute to Latino and Latin-American Authors. Book signings will also take place in publisher booths throughout the exhibition’s three days.

Book Buyers Photographed With Favorite Authors

New this year, booksellers can be photographed, at no charge, with their favorite authors at the New Fuji Film Photo Center, which is also located in the Javits autographing area. BEA will take complimentary photographs of booksellers with their choice from a list of authors. Booksellers will immediately receive two 5" x 7" color copies of their photo and a pre-printed press release, which highlights their participation in the many programs of BEA 2002. Authors scheduled to take photographs with book buyers include:

"In light of BEA’s New York venue and the scores of authors already headquartered in New York, our autographing program, which has always offered an effective means for publishers to promote their titles, is proving to offer greater opportunity this year," noted Greg Topalian, vice president for BEA. "And our new Photo Center will allow book buyers the chance to be photographed with their favorite author, promote their bookstore or library to their local newspaper, and increase public awareness of the author’s works."

Go to the Front of the Line with a BIF Gold Pass -- BEA’s First Class Ticket to Autographing

Also new to BEA Autographing this year is the Gold Pass. For a one-time donation of $20 to the Book Industry Foundation booksellers can walk past the $1 donation boxes and enjoy the many books in the autographing program. Special Gold Pass Spotters will be located throughout the show floor to spot Gold Pass Stickers. If spotted with a Gold Pass Sticker, for one time only, book buyers can go straight to the front of any autographing line at any time. If spotted with a Gold Pass sticker, book buyers may win other rewards including: specials in the photo center, weekend stays from hotel chains, dinners at New York restaurants, tickets to Broadway plays and more. Book buyers can buy their Gold Pass at the Autographing Ticket booth early Friday morning or throughout the day at the Information Booth at the Autographing Area or at the Book Industry Foundation booth.

For full lists of Ticketed/Photo Center authors, a schedule of BEA Salutes, and Traditional and In-Booth Autographing schedules, visit the BEA Web site at www.bookexpoamerica.com [5] or call (800) 840-5614. BEA will distribute complimentary tickets for the authors designated as "Ticketed Authors" beginning at 7:00 a.m. each day in the lobby of the Javits Center. Tickets are complimentary and are available on a first-come basis.