May 31

Wow – busy day!  Started out by going to the day of dialog, which was near Rockefeller Center.  We took the Subway and ended up going too far so we ended up in Times Square.  That was a real disappointment.   Walked past the ABC Studios, where they film GMA.  Also saw Radio City Music Hall, which was right across the street from the conference center where the Day of Dialog was held. 

They day of dialog was very interesting – the first panel discussion was with the authors of “And Tango Makes 3″.  Particularly interesting to find out it’s one of the most challenged children’s books, and remembered that someone recently complained about it to one of the Oaklyn staff (although no formal complaint was filed, I believe.)  The authors and mediator were quite charming and the librarian rep was really interesting in her assessment of the controversy, as well.  I really enjoyed listening to the authors. 

The second panel was an “Editor’s Hot Picks” panel which was very enlightening.  There were editors there from HarperCollins, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Viking, and St. Martin’s Press.  We were treated to lists of upcoming fiction and non fiction titles to look for – I have a list of upcoming books to bring back with me.  Some of the authors mentioned will be at BEA signing books, so I’m making a point to look up some of them to get a jump on the season. 

I’m also proud of  myself for navigating NYC by myself.  It’s not that hard, if I just think of it as an extremely large version of Indianapolis.

Tomorrow is BEA and I have a list of stuff to do – book signings bu Janet Evanovich, Tom Perotta, etc. and some sessions – one on graphic novels. 

Here are a couple photos from my day:

May 30

Well, we’re here.  We arrived in our hotel room at about 7:30 New York time.  I am so tired.  I think Mollie is, too.  I know I should eat but I feel a little”funky” from all the traveling.  We took a cab into the city and it was pretty cool.

I obviously haven’t seen a whole lot yet, but I have noticed two things – 1) it smells like garbage and 2) the people seem friendlier than I expected them to be.  I don’t know what I expected, but people aren’t looking at me like i have a neon sign over my head that says “from Indiana”.

Tomorrow is the Librarians Day of Dialog.  The Book Expo starts Friday.  I have not seen anyone famous yet, but I thought I saw Sean Hayes on the street, then I figured he looked more like Simon Rex (anyone remember him?  He was on MTV for like, a minute 15 years ago.) But it was obviously just some random guy.

I plan to have a lot more to report tomorrow, with photos -my main goal is to see the Chrysler Building.  And the Empire State building. 

7 days and counting…

This time next week I will be on my way to NYC.  I’m making lists of things to take and getting excited, in general.  Although I am nervous about flying (I have not flown since 1996!), I’m really excited about the trip.  It should be really cool.

I’m going to Book Expo in NYC!

…which is extremely cool because I’ve never been to New York or Book Expo.  So here’s where I will record my journey of new and exciting discoveries!  I’m leaving May 30, to return June 3.  Check back for witty banter, cool photos, and exciting updates!