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Why Attending Events like ALA is Awesome by Mira Reisberg

7/6/2015

8 Comments

 
I'm usually really good about getting my blog posts in on time but with 3 course critiques today and our course webinar with Kelly Delaney tonight, I'm a bit overwhelmed and I goofed preparing a post on a topic that's already been done. Plus I was a bit disheartened  by the zero comments on my last post :( 

I know that there's a ton of info out there but just a wee thanks or this was helpful comment makes a huge difference. So enough with the guilt. :) 

Instead I'm going to write a wee post on why attending big arena conference exhibits like ALA (American Library Association) and BEA (Book Expo America) are fabulous. You don't need to pay for the whole conference, just the exhibits, which can range from $30-60 depending on where it is (but well worth the money). I always prepare in advance by going to the website and making a list of who I want to see where in terms of publishers and another list of authors and illustrators who are signing at the same times and order it by location (booth rows and numbers) and time. I also bring a big book cart on wheels. So here are the big bennies!

You get to:

  1. See what is getting published right now and coming out in the future
  2. Collect tons of free books
  3. Collect tons of highly discounted books
  4. Get gorgeous free tote bags and tons of other free promo items
  5. Get catalogs from publishers to see if your stories or art is a good fit for them and find new treasures
  6. Discover new smaller publishers who are more likely to want your manuscripts or art
  7. Meet editors at their booths including big names and make connections
  8. Meet beloved authors and illustrators at their book signings, get their books free or highly discounted, get them signed sometimes with illustrations, and profess your undying love and admiration (we love that)
  9. Meet up with your agent (if you have one) who most likely will be there
  10. Go with a group of friends and have the time of your life like a kid in a candy shop!

And for my final tip, if you can, go on the Monday when the publishers are giving away most of their books rather than shipping them back. Wahoo! Talk about excitement.
If this was helpful, please leave a comment and share :)

Yours in children's book love,
Mira 
And if you are going, see you at the big SCBWI conference in LA beginning July 31st. 
Picture
After signing books at the Lee & Low booth. Gobs of fun with great people.
Picture
Being a total blissed out fan girl with Lane Smith who was absolutely lovely xoxoxo
8 Comments
MARY
7/6/2015 07:00:31 am

I'd love to attend the ALA event! Glad you had such a good time.

Reply
Mira
7/8/2015 04:53:41 am

The next ones are in Boston and Orlando FL. http://exhibitors.ala.org/ Hope that you can make it to one :)

Reply
Sylvia Liu link
7/6/2015 08:33:03 am

Great tips, Mira. One day!

Reply
Mira
7/8/2015 04:49:51 am

Sylvia, you are such a total sweetheart. Love, love, love KidLit411.com

Reply
Russell link
7/6/2015 11:25:09 am

Hey! Definitely an encouragement! I really do need to go to these! I plan to attend as many as possible.

Reply
Mira
7/8/2015 04:48:33 am

Thank you for commenting. Yes, they are tons of fun!

Reply
Iris Biran link
7/8/2015 07:29:06 am

Thank you Mira for sharing your experience with us. It's very interesting and will be helpful if I attend a conference one day.
I'm going to print and save it in my folder as well.

Reply
Mira
7/17/2015 02:51:16 pm

Iris, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I really hope you make it to some wonderful conferences. I'm going to the summer SCBWI LA conference soon and am super excited. Will share about ti when I get back :)

Reply



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    We are so excited to be mixing things up at CBA, beginning with some delicious additions to the Blogfish. Meet our  awesome new bloggers!!

    Here's our lineup:
    1st Mondays begin with  Clear Fork/Spork editor/art director, former agent and former kidlit professor Mira Reisberg PhD who is also the Director of the Children's Book Academy.

    2nd Mondays will feature super smart Melissa Stoller whose career is taking off with several new books.
     

    3rd Mondays will feature
    Bryan Patrick Avery, published writer, man of mystery, and professional magician among other things.

    4th Mondays feature funny Aussie author Sharon Giltrow sharing awesome Aussie books.

    And 5th Mondays will be a total surprise!

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  • Home
  • WRITING
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
  • Picture Book Palooza
    • Contributor Bios
  • ILLUSTRATION
    • Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books
  • TECH
  • About Us
    • Why Us?
    • Meet the Faculty, Lives & GT Judges
    • Testimonials
    • Books by Students
    • Our Bookshop
    • As Seen In
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Blogfish
  • Teachable Student Course Portal
  • Community
    • Our Bookshop
    • Come Play With Us!
    • Resources
    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
      • Rafael Lopez Illustrating Childrens Books Scholarships