[7] America Booksellers Association members can now register for Publicists Speed Dating at BookExpo America 2016 [8], as well as purchase tickets for the Speed Dating Lunch With Children’s Authors and Tea With Children’s Authors and Illustrators, both co-sponsored by the ABC Chidlren’s Group at ABA (ABC) and the Children’s Book Council (CBC).The trade show and ABA programming [7] will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago, from Wednesday, May 11, through Friday, May 13.

Publicists Speed Dating [9], which was a hit at BEA 2015 [10], makes a return to the trade show on Friday, May 13, from 9:45 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. The program will feature approximately 12-minute conversations between one bookstore and one publicist at a time. During the “dates,” ABA member bookstore owners, managers, and event coordinators have the opportunity to promote their stores and discover what publicists look for when planning author tours.

Register your store for Publicists Speed Dating now [11]; send questions to ABA Senior Program Officer Joy Dallanegra-Sanger [12].

The ABC/CBC Speed Dating Lunch With Children’s Authors [13] will be held on Friday, May 13, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. ABC Group members and friends of CBC who purchase tickets will enjoy a lively lunch with more than a dozen children’s book authors as they pitch their new projects. Preregistration and prepayment are required. Tickets are $30 each. Space is limited, and registration is first-come, first-served. Booksellers will receive their table assignments via e-mail prior to BEA.

This year’s participating authors include:

• Juan Carlos Alonso
• David Arnold
• Andrea Beaty
• Aaron Becker
• Jeffrey Bennett
• Tricia Brown
• Lauren Castillo
• Michael Dante DiMartino
• Elizabeth Eulberg
• Olivia Fu
• SJ Kincaid
• Arthur Levine
• Rich Lo
• Jennifer A. Nielsen
• Ridley Pearson
• Ami Polonsky
• Jewell Parker Rhodes
• Frank Viva
• Booki Vivat
• Lisa Yee

Purchase tickets for the ABC/CBC Speed Dating Lunch With Children’s Authors now [14].

The ABC/CBC Tea With Children’s Authors and Illustrators [15] will also be held on Friday, May 13, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. ABC Group members and friends of CBC who purchase tickets are invited to sit down and share an intimate and relaxing teatime with a beloved author or illustrator. Booksellers will choose four authors or illustrators from the list of participants and will meet with three. Preregistration and prepayment is required. Tickets are $25 each. Space is limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.  Booksellers will receive their author assignments via e-mail prior to BEA.

Authors and illustrators participating in the Tea include:

• Jeffrey Brown 
• Matthew Cordell
• Melissa de la Cruz
• Grace Lin
• Tahereh Mafi
• Marissa Meyer
• Matthew Reinhart
• Adam Silvera
• Duncan Tonatiuh

Purchase tickets for the ABC/CBC Tea With Children’s Authors and Illustrators now [16].

For details about all ABA programming, as well as BEA education sessions and special events of particular interest to booksellers, visit BookWeb.org [7].

Due to logistical difficulties related to the show’s Chicago location, there will be no Children’s Art Auction this year.