Conference schedule

I'm buried in HNS conference preparations, something that will undoubtedly continue through mid-June, but I thought I'd post about the conferences I'll be attending and/or speaking at over the next couple of months. If you'll be at any of these events, please stop by and say hello!

BookExpo America, NYC, May 28-31

I'll be roaming the Javits Center for three days, talking to publishers, sitting in on author panels, and acquiring ARCs of historical fiction titles for summer and fall. On Sunday 5/31 from 10-11am, you'll find me at the Firebrand Technologies booth (#4077) doing a blogger signing. There are 40 other bloggers on the schedule, and though it's not really a signing per se, we'll all be there to meet readers, publishers, and other bloggers. (That said, if anyone wants to drag my 4-lb tome through the exhibit hall, I'll happily sign it for you.)

Other must-dos on my list will be walking through Central Park, visiting The Strand, and having dinner at Mitali East, which has the best Indian food we've ever had anywhere. If you lived where I live, you'd understand why dining out at good restaurants is a highlight of any conference trip.

Historical Novel Society conference, Schaumburg, IL, June 10-15

As one of the organizers, I'll be arriving early and staying late, and I'm looking forward to meeting many authors and readers there. From 8:30-9:30am on Saturday 6/13, three readers' advisory librarians - Georgine Olson, Joyce Saricks, and myself - will be talking up our favorite recent reads and hopefully convincing you all why you should read them too. In the sessions opposite mine, Brenda Rickman Vantrease will be discussing point of view, and a great trio of authors and fellow bloggers (C.W. Gortner, Michelle Moran, and Karen Essex) will be speaking about building a career in the historical fiction world. Tough decisions! I'll also be participating in the group book-signing on the Saturday afternoon from 4-5pm.

American Library Association annual conference, Chicago, July 10-14

Besides attending as many programs (and eating in as many ethnic restaurants) as I can squeeze into four days, I'll be speaking at the New Members Round Table's President's Program, discussing job hunting in a down economy with two other panelists. At some point I'll undoubtedly be reviewing librarian resumes at the Placement Center. The rest of my schedule's not set, so drop me a line if you'd like to meet up!