Wednesday, July 3, 2013

BEA 2013 Coverage - Day 3 (Neil Gaiman!)

What: Book Expo America
Where: Jacob Javits Center, NYC
When: Saturday, June 1, 2013.


On the last day of BEA, I was very anxious to go see Neil Gaiman speak, but honestly, I never thought I'd be able to get in.   So Maria from Serpentine Library and I decided as soon as we got to BEA we would take one look around the floor for any drops and then go to the room where Neil was speaking.  We managed to get seats and I was able to sneak up front for a photo or two...or three.  Neil talks like he writes, thoughfully and lyrically.  And really, everything he says is so prolific it's like poetry.  The accent doesn't hurt either.

On why he feels Fiction is dangerous: "Fiction lets you into other people's heads.  It let's you have empathy.  The world doesn't have to be like the one you live in and that's very dangerous."

His worst fear: "That no one will tell me if it's a dud."  To which his editor replied, "I will."

Proudest of: "My kids.  And they baffle me."

On if he still feels doubt: "Yes.  It hasn't been 30 years of sucess.  Not everything works.  I'm arrogant and have self doubt."

On Ocean at the End of the Lane: "It's not a Fantasy at all.  It's about memories...I started writing a short story then it was a novellette.  Then I kept writing and it was a novella."  When he handed it in to his editor he included a note, "I think I've written a novel.  I hope you don't mind."  He felt writing this story was like driving at night with one headlight out in a thick fog.  He could only see a little bit ahead.  It's an organic story.  It's a story about stories. 

On writing: "You learn to write the one you're on.  Each book is it's own discovery."




After the Gaiman excitment, it was a pretty quiet day.  Yes it was still full of signings and long lines, but there weren't as many people on the floor.  It had a much more laid back vibe than previous days.


Mary Higgins Clark.  I snapped the picture when I was on another line.




I was told this book is about "Mommy issues." So I had to get it.









I enjoyed Saturday because I discovered authors that I may not have heard of.  Afterwards, Kate, Maria and I went out for lunch back on our home turf because we were too exhausted to stay in the city and explore.  Plus, we had plans to go to Chinatown the next day so we needed to rest up. 

Hope you enjoyed my BEA wrap up!  I'm looking forward to next year. 


7 comments:

fakesteph said...

You're so fabulous about taking pictures. :)

Julie@My5monkeys said...

OMG that looks like an amazing day :)

Kate @Midnight Book Girl said...

I one hundred percent second what Steph said- you take amazing pictures! And that was a lovely lunch we had with Maria, I'm so glad I got to meet her!

Aurian said...

I do love your BEA stories! And I think it is brilliant of you to take pictures of the authors with their own book, so you remember who is who :)

Jen | Book Den said...

The Neil Gaiman session sounds great. I'm glad you got in! I just showed my 6 year old your picture with Olivia. :) We have a few Olivia books we read together.

Smash Attack Ash said...

I love your recaps, and YAY FOR NEIL!

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