Jack Gantos and Lauren Myracle to Host BEA Children’s Art Auction

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE), the bookseller’s voice in the fight against censorship, announced today that the Annual Children’s Book Art Auction and Reception at BookExpo America will be hosted by bestselling authors Jack Gantos, a Newbery Medal winner, and Lauren Myracle, whose books top the list of the country’s most challenged titles. The auction will be held on May 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the River Pavilion of the Jacob Javits Center.

The auction has been a highlight of children’s programming at BookExpo America for the last 19 years, offering a unique opportunity to buy original works by award-winning artists and illustrators. This highly anticipated and fun event is the only annual occasion where the entire children’s book industry is in the same room, including booksellers, publishers, authors, artists, illustrators and other industry professionals.

Proceeds support ABFFE’s defense of the free speech rights of young readers. ABFFE is a co-founder of the Kids’ Right to Read Project, which supports students, parents, teachers and librarians fighting book challenges around the country. ABFFE is also a principal sponsor of Banned Books Week, the only national celebration of the freedom to read.
"I’m proud to lend my voice to this auction to raise money to help not just young readers, but authors as well,” Gantos said.  "I'm thrilled to be co-hosting the 2013 Children’ Book Art Silent Auction with the inimitable Jack Gantos,” Myracle said. “ABFFE is a passionate advocate for freedom of speech, and it's an honor to help raise funds to support these booksellers in their fight against censorship. Books matter. Kids matter. (And, bonus, Jack is one cool dude!)".   

ABFFE President Chris Finan welcomed the support of Gantos and Myracle. “We are very excited that Jack and Lauren have agreed to co-host this year’s auction. They make an irresistible team.”

Gantos and Myracle will lead a session of live bidding during the mostly silent auction. 

In addition to the remarkable art from new books, this year’s auction will feature pieces created in honor of Maurice Sendak, who mentored and inspired so many artists and fought vigorously against efforts to censor In the Night Kitchen.

Light refreshments, beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks will be served. Tickets are $99 and may be purchased online, https://abffe.site-ym.com/events/register.asp?id=308496 There is no charge for bookseller members of the ABC Children’s Group at the American Booksellers Association.

For the first time this year, people around the world will be able to participate in the excitement of the BEA auction by bidding in an online auction to be held the week before the Javits event.

ABFFE has created an auction website, http://abffesilentauction.wordpress.com/. Details of the coming events, including a preview of the art in both auctions, will be posted there.

For further information, contact Kristen Gilligan Vlahos, auction manager, Kristen@abffe.org

BEA Book Blogger Conference News

I am so excited about the amazing program that our Conference Advisory Board is putting together for the BEA Book Blogger Conference.  Here is a peak at some of the highlights... with more coming soon!

Opening Keynote: Will Schwalbe

         Will Schwalbe has worked in publishing (most recently as senior vice president and editor in chief of Hyperion Books); digital media, as the founder and CEO of Cookstr.com; and as a journalist, writing for various publications including The New York Times and South China Morning Post. He is on the boards of Yale University Press and the Kingsborough Community College Foundation. He is the coauthor, with David Shipley, of Send: Why People Email So Badly and How to Do It Better, and his most recent book is The End of Your Life Book Club out in paperback from Vintage Books in June 2013.

Session Highlights

Editor’s Buzz Panel

o   Meet the editors from your favorite houses and get a preview of what will be releasing this fall

Taking Your Online Presence Offline

o   How to work with your community

Blogging Platforms

o   How to get the most out of Blogger, Wordpress, etc.

Extending the Reach of Your Blog Online

o   Effectively use newsletters, RSS feeds, syndication, guest blogging and social media

Book Blogging Pros

o   Successes, Struggles and Insider Secrets

Panelists Include:

Hut Landon (Northern California Independent Booksellers), Jane Litte (Dear Author), Sarah Wendell (Smart Bitches), Jenn Lawrence (Jenn’s Bookshelves), Mandy Boles (The Well-Read Wife),Thea James (Booksmugglers), Mandi Schreiner (Smexy Books), Cindy Minnich (Nerdy Book Club), Rebecca Jones Schinsky (Book Lady Blog), Jim Hines (Fantasy author and blogger at JimHines.com), Tizrah Price (The Compulsive Reader), Kelly Jensen (Stacked), David Gutowski (Large Hearted Boy), Stephanie Leary (wordpress consultant, StephanieLeary.com), Wanda Jewell (Southern Independent Book Sellers), Kristina Radke (Netgally)

The Digital Combo Pass Returns

BEA has two great digital events that deliver solutions and strategy for the world of publishing today.  The IDPF and Publishers Launch conferences each deliver unique content, but you can also save money in getting a Digital Combo pass for one low price and take advantage of the best of both events to suit your specific needs.  

The first link below will take you to the Digtial Combo pass or the IDPF Digital Book 2013 Conference Registration, complete the initial page then add on the pass you want (Digital Combo or IDPF).  If you are only interested in the Publishers Launch, go to the link below. 

Link for Either the IDPF Digital Book 2013 or a COMBO PASS 

Digital Book 2013 is designed to give executives, marketers, and technologists practical information and tools to inspire and lead organizations in this time of rapid change. In-depth sessions will analyze key opportunities and pitfalls, highlighting compelling business strategies and actionable solutions.

This two-day conference will feature insightful keynote sessions and three parallel tracks of targeted in-depth content (business & marketing, technology and production, and education and professional publishing). You'll hear from top experts and industry leaders, and network with your peers.

Link for Publishers Launch

This year's Launch BEA is taking a new approach conceptually: "Scale" is our major theme, as the industry reckons with the pending Penguin Random House merger, the increasing dominance of one retailer, growing consolidation among literary agencies and realignment of lists at a number of houses. We'll be examining scalable solutions to technology, services, marketing/discovery, supply chain, digital publishing, representation and more (rather than shiny one-offs that have no clear pathway to making a difference across the business.) We have a starting overview here and will post more details as speakers and topics are confirmed. We hope you'll join us, and take advantage of the best deals on tickets while they are available.