Last weekend Kat and I attend the first ever BookCon in NYC. The one day event offered panels, autographing and chances for fans to connect with publishers. We had to see it for ourselves, so here is our account of BookCon 2014. Based on my experiences here is who I think shined at BookCon.
#WeNeedDiverseBooks Panel
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| viagrowingupisforsuckers |
The #WeNeed Diverse panels found its way onto the BookCon agenda after the grassroots campaign started in response to BookCon’s lack of diversity and other scary stats about representation in literature. It was great seeing people so excited about diversity in literature and they released a lot of amazing news.
Macmillan Publishing
While some big six publishers decided to forgo having a satellite booth an BookCon, Macmillan supported consumers and BookCon with full force. Macmillan offered multiple editor’s picks
panels focusing on YA, genre fiction, reading groups and kids books. At each event readers could hear about new books and pick them up afterwards.
I stopped by the reading group panel and I thought it was very well organized and the staff did a great job of keeping everything in place.
Macmillian also had a photobooth where you could put yourself on a book cover. Plus one to Macmillan for making BookCon shine. #bookbrag.
Scholastic
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| Shadowhunter earrings FTW ! |
I think Scholastic did something pretty cool at their booth. They made you work a little for your swag. In order to get an awesome I Read YA tumblr, readers has to rec a book on social media with #ireadya. My rec was The Raven Boys audio, yes I picked a Scholastic book !
The Fans
I knew John Green and Cassandra Clare had a big fans, but I was floored to look out and see all TFIOS and Shadowhunter gear. I also loved how all the other fandoms were representing everything from Harry Potter, Doctor Who , Marvel and even Friday Night Lights ? Sometimes all on one person.
Meeting Danielle Fishel !
I usually never do celebrity stuff at BEA. I always figure the line is going to be to long. However, I was walking on the floor when I passed the Danielle Fishel signing. I just hopped in line just to see if I could met her. The line went by so fast and she was so great with the fans. I mean she had no problem pulling fans in for a photo.
The BookCon App
What was cool about the app is it had this social media component that was like a mix of Twitter and Instragram. I liked seeing who was going to be there and reading live reactions. Even after BookCon I still see people interacting on the app. The app and its content will be available until 2015.