Monday, June 4, 2012

Armchair BEA Week!


Do you wish you were in NYC this week for the book industry's biggest trade show? Did you even know there was a ComicCon-like event for books? It's called Book Expo America, and chances are if you're reading this, you're not actually at the Expo.

Sad. Neither am I.

But!

You can vicariously live through the attenders with Armchair BEA, which connects book bloggers all week with interviews, giveaways and info from the expo.

Keep an eye on the #ArmchairBEA hashtag on twitter for discussions where you can connect with other bloggers:


Tuesday, June 5, 2012:  11:00 pm-1:00 am EST (8:00-10:00 pm PST)
Wednesday, June 6, 2012:  12:00 Noon-2:00 pm EST (9:00-11:00 am PST)
Thursday, June 7, 2012:  8:00 - 10:00 pm EST (5:00-7:00 pm PST)


To kick-off, each participating blog answers a few questions about their own blog, then it's time to network.  Please check out the other participating blogs here! And stop by the host blog linked above for more information including upcoming giveaways.

Q: How did you get into blogging?

A: I've technically blogged for 10 years, going back to LiveJournal.com. But I've been networking with book bloggers and writers since early 2011. The network of writers, authors and fans of books is so welcoming and encouraging. I've learned a ton about publishing and have a To Read list a mile long. I love it!

Q: What are you currently reading?

A: I usually have a print book or ebook going along with an audio book in the car. I mostly read Young Adult since that's what I write, but I just finished Elmore Leonards' Raylan, which the FX cable show Justified is tied to (it began based on one of Leonard's stories featuring the same character). He is brilliant in his use of dialogue, which is what makes the TV show so worthwhile. He writes dialogue like it's spoken, with so much flavor. You feel like you know the characters, who by the way, are mostly criminals. In the car I've got Maggie Stiefvaters's The Scorpio Races. I've heard such great things, I'm looking forward to getting into it.

Q: What's one non-book related thing about you?

A: I love playing video games.

Q: What is your favorite part of the book blogging community?

A: I like the diversity. Some sites are straight book reviews, others do author and blogger interviews, while some feature tons of giveaways and host blog tours. Some blogs by librarians are the best I've found since they work directly with readers every day. I also follow blogs that discuss issues within the publishing industry, like examining why the YA market features so few characters of color, and why those characters frequently don't make it on the cover.

Q: Have your reading tastes changed since starting the blog?

A: I started a story I thought might be a Young Adult title, but I needed to do research on the genre. I'd read a handful over the years, but to write for that audience you have to know what's out there. I've become a bit obsessed! I've always had eclectic reading tastes, I'm willing to try out all sorts of books. My focus has actually narrowed, so it's more of an effort to read something outside of YA.

Tomorrow: I'll link to hosted giveaways you won't want to miss, and will blog about the best books I've read so far in 2012.

18 comments:

  1. I had no idea there was an Armchair version - looks v. cool.

    Good luck with the YA title!

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  2. Wanted to stop by and say hello!!! Im so excited to get out there and meet fellow bloggers. I love events like this, because the fact that I live in NY and couldn't go to the event chagrins me, lol. Hope you have an awesome week!

    I'm a writer as well, in the midst of completing my first novel, and I'm loving the process!

    <3 Britta
    http://novelday.blogspot.com

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  3. I love that you love video games! Video games are the best! If I could spend all my time playing them, other than reading, I would. But, alas, as an adult, I have responsibilities. *sigh*

    I also love the diversity in the book blogging community. I think it's so great that there are so many different takes on one subject.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog, by the way!

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  4. I love playing video games too but not anymore. I got hold up into Online Game lately :P 10 years of blogging is quite an accomplishment. I hope you have more. Diversity is eminent in the book blogging community, I love how blogs spice up their blogs with different posts and memes.

    My Introduction post here

    -Jay
    We Fancy Books

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  5. Hey Stephanie!

    Nice to meet you! I used to play video games but honestly, work got too busy and so I stopped. Would be nice to kick back and do that again sometime! And ahh Chicago, love that city!

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  6. Wow, 10 years? That's pretty amazing. I remember LiveJournal but I don't believe I've seen anyone blogging there in a couple years. Most of my old favorites have gone away.

    Happy Armchair BEA!

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  7. That's so cool that you've been blogging for so long! Love that!

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  8. My TBR list has grown exponentially since becoming a book blogger!

    I love YA too, and sometimes get a bit "stuck" in the genre as well.

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  9. Video Games! I just wish my actual skill level matched my love for playing!

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  10. Hey your blog is sorta kinda cute! I've heard the the Scorpio Races is fabulous, can't wait to read it. Come check out my blog: www.rachelrmrblog.blogspot.com
    in all it's craziness!

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  11. Hi there,

    Nice to meet you:D

    I must laugh as I was the Sonic Hedge sega queen when I was younger, now too many buttons, my brain goes pfffttt!!

    hehe!!

    Have a great day!

    Michelle

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  12. I so agree with you about the diversity in the community! There really are so many unique and amazing voices out there! I always love finding other bloggers that I connect to and ones that challenge me in some way!

    I wish that I played more video games. I am only really good at side scrolling games like Mario!! The new ones are so complicated, I just can't get the hang of the controls! Ha!

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  13. Thanks for stopping by my blog today! I also love reading YA. It started because my daughter was becoming a teenager, but now I read it because I love it - and I love the fact that she and I can trade books back and forth.

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  14. 10 years of blogging! Wow, that is such an amazing accomplishment. I love finding new blogs and also enjoy how diverse book blogs are. It makes it so much more interesting!

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  15. Thank you for visiting my little baby blog! I LOVE your background; too cute.

    I can't wait to get more involved in the blogging community--your answer about diversity describes exactly what I hoped for! Thanks for the encouragement. :)

    Have a great ABEA!

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  16. I'm a fan of a ton of genre's too - if the book is good, its good...the genre doesn't matter. :)

    It was wonderful "meeting" you :) Armchair BEA @ the Brunette Librarian

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  17. Nice to meet you, Stephanie. I haven't read Emore Leonard in years, but his dialogue is always what sticks in my mind about his books. He is a master. Good luck in your own writing.

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