BEA in pictures

Pre-BEA, I was so excited at the thought of blogging about it. I was going to title the post BEA-utiful, like Jim Carey said in Bruce Almighty (which I thought was kind of a cute movie.)

And then I got there and it was more like BEA-OMG-WTF? But a few people had asked for pictures so--better late than never--here they are:

My first view of BEA. Kind of like my high school gym on crack. What's up with the 100-foot ceilings? Do the Javits people build battleships in between conferences?

So this is what 90% of BEA looks like: Booths, suits, and people wandering everywhere.

Okay, so maybe there were a couple unusual sightings. (Non-globetrotter is a normal-sized man.)

What are these people camping out for? Free money? A spot on that apocalypse arc in the movie 2012? Nope, this is where you stand in long lines for autographed galleys and hope they don't run out before they get to you. Spoiler: they probably will. The only line I even considered was for Libba Bray's The Diviners (actually an in-booth line if you can imagine that madness) and I'm pretty sure that line would have went fifty blocks to Central Park if the organizers had let it. All I can say is: you guys want autographed galleys waaaaaay more than I do.

I stalked the Penguin booth for hours trying to get a clear shot of this Breathless Reads display, but no, everyone loves Penguin. They were so packed up from dawn (that's 11am in Fiona-speak) to dusk that I didn't even get to talk to them until the end of the second day.

BEA isn't just about the USA. There were really big display booths for Russia and Spain, and smaller sections from other countries. (I have no idea who the dude with the pointy nose is. Do you?)

So, despite the chaos, I enjoyed BEA because I got to meet lots of Apocalypsies and book bloggers. But my second favorite part of my trip to NYC was this amazing show at the Union Square Theatre. If you go to BEA, or anything in NYC, I highly recommend it. Photo from the tracesusa.com webpage, taken by Michael Meseke.

Where in the World is VENOM?? Winners!!

Congrats to my winners!

1st place: Monica from Cover Analysis. Props to you and your crazy google voodoo!!

2nd place: Sara from Forever 17 Books

3rd place: Jenna from Making the Grade.

Can I just say all of your websites are awesome and make me feel totally inadequate? But no worries, because I'm thinking about a new website myself. January sounds like a good time for that :) Just think, by then I will be finished with all three Secrets of the Eternal Rose books and at least one of my contemporary novels! It sounds almost like caught-up-ness, but I'll find some other way to get behind, I'm sure.

But enough about me:

So the reason Thai words all appear to have a kajillion letters is because each symbol is a syllable (similar to Korean) but they only use spaces at the end of each sentence. Canyouimaginethat? Itwouldbelikespeakingintwitterhashtag. #WhichIKindaLikeNowThatIThinkAboutIt

Cool, eh? Like a mini-Angkor Wat without the expensive visa, entry fees, mandatory guide, and possible risk of malaria. My sister and I went a few years ago and our 'guestroom' cost us 5 bucks a night.

Pretty, pretty Wat Mahatat

Looking across the pond from Wat Sa Si to Wat Mahatat.

Finally, Wat Sa Si (sometimes spelled Sra Sri)--nestled safely within the walls of Sukothai Historic park, on an island in the middle of a lotus pond. What's more ninja-proof than a gorgeous Buddha?

As always, the assistants (one of whom is being a royal butthead right now) and I know you have a choice when it comes to blog contests so we thank you for choosing Fiona Paul Books :)

Remember, email me, subject 'Gimme bookmarks' if you want signed Venom bookmarks. I'll be mailing prizes...*consults revision to-do list* *cries a little*...soon...ish, so get your bookmark requests in to me in the next day or two because I hate the post office even more than I hate the dentist so I don't wanna go twice.

 

Where in the World is VENOM?? Clue #5

For info on how to play, click here.


Clue #5:

Sorry, that last map kinda sucked. How about this one? (I swear there is a bridge in there, and other bridges nearby--I just had to zap some of them when I was erasing the names.)

Also, just for clarification. The only reason I am parting with my St. Louis ARCs is because I have other copies of SOULBOUND and ELEMENTAL for me :) I love both of those books and so will you if you win them!

OMG, don't you want to visit this awesome place??

Where in the World is VENOM?? Clue #4

X marks the spot!

If you still don't know how to play, click here.

Where in the World is VENOM?? Clue #3

For info on how to play Where in the World is VENOM?? click here.

Clue #3:

In 1980, a dead guy named Jello took a 'vacation' to the country next door.