BookExpo 2005: the grandest book "party" comes back to the publishing capital of the world

Luncheon Sponsored by: Jump At the Sun, an imprint of Hyperion Books for Children 1:00 P.M. Keynote Address--Room 1E 11 Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers, Holiday House Publishing

Workshops 2:15-3:45 P.M. How to Sell Children's Books--Room 1E 11

Panel: Irene Smalls, Little Brown and Company, Inc.; Jacqueline Woodson, whose recent book Miracle Boys was the basis for a series on The N Television network; Bernette Ford, CEO of Color-Bridge Books and consultant for the Just for You! series published by Scholastic for grades K-3, and Michele Echols, literacy consultant for nonprofit organizations.

4:00-5:00 P.M.--Room 1E 11 Remainder Books to Increase Your Bottom Line--Purchasing, pricing and positioning of publisher overstock books

Panel: Felicia Wintons, bookseller, Food for Thought, Tampa, Florida; Jordan Lubberts, sales representative, Book Depot, Lewiston, New York; and others.

5:30-8:00 P.M. Reception--Room 1E 12-13

Conference sponsors: Atria and Washington Square Press, division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., Ingram Book Company, Moody Publishers, BET Books, Kensington Books, HarperCollins Publishers, Earl Cox and Associates, Literally Speaking Publishing House and Macro Publishing Group.

African American Pavilion, Booths 1218-1240

This is the showcase of books and magazines by black publishers or black-interest titles, including fiction, nonfiction, children's, self-help and magazines. This is the second time independently owned African American publishers will have a defined, united display at BookExpo. Numerous promotions and author signings will be taking place daily.

For further information on the pavilion and how to join the National Black Book Publishers Association, please contact: Niani Colom at 662-329-9927, e-mail: ncolom@genesis-press.com, Web site: www.genesis-press.com; or Tony Rose at 1334 East Chandler Blvd., Suite 5-D67, Phoenix, AZ 85048, 480-460-1660, fax: 480-283-0991, e-mall: amberbk@aol.com, Web site: www.amberbooks.com.

Work It! Tips for Navigating BEA 2005

So, where to start? The key is to begin your preparations long before you arrive in Manhattan. Doing your homework is key. First, complete the easy registration process online at www.bookexpoamerica.com. Registration prices are quite reasonable, but they increase significantly after May 23, 2005.

Next, book a room as far in advance as possible. New York City has tens of thousands of hotel rooms, but BEA won't be the only show in town, so many hotels near the Jacob Javits Center will be sold out. Since most hotels have a liberal cancellation policy, you can always cancel later if you aren't able to attend.

Do take the time to shop around. The conference planners negotiate special rates at a large number of area hotels that run the gamut of price ranges, and some very special deals are available. For instance, the American Booksellers Association hosts a members-only hotel featuring reasonable rates, shuttle transportation to the Javits Center, nightly receptions sponsored by publishers and free books delivered to your room daily. But from the moment the hotel is announced, the rooms are booked faster than you can say "room service!" Other hotels are reserved by associations solely for their members, such as librarians' and international groups.