Liveblogging BEA

I won’t actually liveblog the panel I’m attending — there are several authors, and they’re reading, and the first one, I fear, is reading too long. Instead I’ll share some thoughts. (thoughts slightly addled by corporate faux-microbrew, which was both breakfast and and lunch. Welcome to Convention-Center-bound BEA.)

- Sherman Alexie might just be the nicest, most accessible author ever. I have a pic (to be uploaded later) of him with Avalon publisher Charlie Winston, for which I interrupted them mid-conversation.
- “Litbloggers at BEA. And none of us are typing.” should be “Litbloggers at BEA. And not one of us is typing.” Sorry, my nighttime grammar disintegrates.
- There are either fewer people at BEA than last year or I’ve acclimated to the massive crowds.
- I remember there being more kooky characters. The authors dressed as princesses seem to be a thing of the past.
- Meme this year: eyepatches. Not just on pirates.
- Publishers really, really want to hand you a copy of their newest and bestest. Otherwise, they’ll have to carry it home.
- Ron saw Ernest Borgnine!
- If you want to find the NEA at a big book event, look for ever-so-tall David Kipen.
- Richard Nash can be tracked down by following the booming voice with the soft Irish accent.
- If you want to find many others, they are not nearly as easy to spot.
- I continue to adore Moleskine with all my heart.