This is actually the first year I’m going to the NCTE conference… and it’s in BOSTON!!! What I’m really trying to figure out is, is it worth it to pay to go to some of the breakfasts/luncheons/dinners? Also, when and where do you get the free books? I’m bringing my wheeled suitcase 🙂
Have a fabulous time! I loved NCTE–I went two years in a row, the first year in Philadelphia and the second in Walt Disney World (and I actually preferred the Philly conference; though being in Disney World was kinda crazy.) Boston seems like a great choice, and I’m sad I’m no longer able to go (this is my first year as not-a-teacher-anymore; I now do professional development for other teachers).
To answer your questions:
1. I never paid for any of the for-fee meals. But if memory serves, you can go in at the end of the for-fee meals to hear the keynote (I recall doing this for Laurie Halse Andersen, because I LOVE HER.) You’ll have to stand in the back of the banquet room with all of the other people who didn’t pay for the meal, but hey–we’re teachers. A lot of us can’t afford the meal. 😉 If you are interested in rubbing elbows with YA authors, however, there is one big session in the afternoon on one of the days where you get to do just that–look in your NCTE program guide for a session with a HUGE list of presenters–all authors whose names you will likely recognize–and GO TO THAT SESSION! More than that, show up early for that session so you can be seated at a table with your favorite author. It’s kinda awesome, and I hope they still do it.
2. Books–they are on the exhibit hall floor. Be sure to be there the MOMENT the exhibit hall opens, particularly on the first day but in the morning on every other day that it is open, too. There are all kinds of ARCs being offered. (If you like this kind of thing, I can also highly recommend Book Expo America, which is held at the Javits Center in New York City every June.)
This is actually the first year I’m going to the NCTE conference… and it’s in BOSTON!!! What I’m really trying to figure out is, is it worth it to pay to go to some of the breakfasts/luncheons/dinners? Also, when and where do you get the free books? I’m bringing my wheeled suitcase 🙂
Thank you!
Have a fabulous time! I loved NCTE–I went two years in a row, the first year in Philadelphia and the second in Walt Disney World (and I actually preferred the Philly conference; though being in Disney World was kinda crazy.) Boston seems like a great choice, and I’m sad I’m no longer able to go (this is my first year as not-a-teacher-anymore; I now do professional development for other teachers).
To answer your questions:
1. I never paid for any of the for-fee meals. But if memory serves, you can go in at the end of the for-fee meals to hear the keynote (I recall doing this for Laurie Halse Andersen, because I LOVE HER.) You’ll have to stand in the back of the banquet room with all of the other people who didn’t pay for the meal, but hey–we’re teachers. A lot of us can’t afford the meal. 😉 If you are interested in rubbing elbows with YA authors, however, there is one big session in the afternoon on one of the days where you get to do just that–look in your NCTE program guide for a session with a HUGE list of presenters–all authors whose names you will likely recognize–and GO TO THAT SESSION! More than that, show up early for that session so you can be seated at a table with your favorite author. It’s kinda awesome, and I hope they still do it.
2. Books–they are on the exhibit hall floor. Be sure to be there the MOMENT the exhibit hall opens, particularly on the first day but in the morning on every other day that it is open, too. There are all kinds of ARCs being offered. (If you like this kind of thing, I can also highly recommend Book Expo America, which is held at the Javits Center in New York City every June.)