Thursday, June 3, 2010

Book Blogger Con

I can't find my program from the first annual Book Blogger Con, so I'm going to be a little short on details- anyway, I'm sure you can find full accounts of the convention elsewhere, so I'll keep it simple.

Friday at the Javits Center, Michelle from Galleysmith and Trish from Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin, along with several other bloggers, organized the first convention exclusively for book bloggers. BlogHer runs its own conventions every year for bloggers, including a separate con for food bloggers, but even at the local BlogHer con a few years ago, I felt sorely outnumbered as a book blogger. So I really appreciate having this convention just for us. And what a convention it was.

Let me just say, the organizers did an incredible job and the day surpassed my expectations in every way. The swag bags were amazing- books, book lights, all kinds of knicknacks- the food was generous and delicious and the sessions were great.

YA author Maureen Johnson gave a great keynote- I'll admit to being nervous at the prospect of a 90-minute address to start the day, but her humor and wit made the time fly. Ron Hogan delivered a thought-provoking discussion on bloggers and professional ethics, and while I didn't agree with everything he said I respect him and his viewpoint.

Lunchtime was laid-back and chatting with fellow bloggers, as well as meeting some of the publicists I've worked with, was a treat. It was great to put faces to names and get to know each other a little better.

After lunch, the panels started. Panelists spoke on topics such as creating content, negotiating relationships with authors, marketing your blog, and social responsibility. I had the honor of moderating the panel on social responsibility and working with awesome, impressive bloggers Wendy of Caribou's Mom, Terry of The Reading Tub, Stephen of Band of Thebes and Zetta of Fledgling. What a treat.

The fatigue from the whole crazy week finally caught up with me and I guess I sort of hurried out at the end of the day, but I had a first-class seat on the Acela waiting for me and it was time to wind down. The whole week was incredible- it was such a great opportunity to turn online friends into real friends, and make new ones, too. Thank you so much to the organizers, the authors and publicists and everyone who contributed to the conference in any way- I feel blessed to have been a part of such a fantastic event.

9 comments:

Zibilee said...

It's so good to hear that this was such a well organized and fun event! I am glad that you had such a nice time!

Andi said...

Intriguing! I sincerely hope I get to attend next year.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you had such positive experiences. I just knew you would.

It sounds aboslutely wonderful!

Kathleen said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful experience. I am really hoping I will be able to attend next year.

Felicia the Geeky Blogger said...

It sounds like you had a great time! Exhaustion is to be expected.

bookmagic said...

It sounds awesome and I wish I could have gone. Another year perhaps

Anna said...

Sounds like I missed out on a fun time! I had to leave NYC on the morning of the blogger con and make my way to MA for my brother-in-law's wedding on Sunday. Glad you had a great time.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Kristen M. said...

Any chance you are going to be at BlogHer this year? I'm going for the first time and am quite afraid that there will be no book bloggers there. This would have been a fantastic event to attend but I already had committed to BlogHer.

Serena said...

Sorry I missed you at blogger con, but it was an exhausting week. I feel like I'm still in recovery!