Time to Vote!

The results of the nomination period are in and counted. Vote for your favorites and keep an eye out for news of our swanky awards ceremony coming to you live from BEA. Voting ends Monday, May 13th at five p.m. EST. EDIT: The polls are closed and removed.

2013 BEA Sweepstakes

One of the most exciting things to happen to Armchair BEA over the last two years is our partnership with Book Expo America. Through this we've been able to share exclusive content and provide access to the actual event. Now we have another exciting offer from the event for those bloggers able to attend the book blogger conference in NY who may still need an added incentive to register. 

If you haven't already registered I'd recommend clicking the link above and doing so! It's going to be a great event and now you will even have the chance to win a Kindle Fire! 

In case you missed it here's a look at the Book Blogger Conference Schedule:

• 8:00 am- 9:00 am Registration and Conference Breakfast 
• 9:15 am- 10:00 am Opening Keynote - Will Schwalbe 
• 10:10 am- 11:00 am Adult Editor Insight Panel 
• 10:10 am- 11:00 am YA Editor Insight Panel 
• 11:15 am- 12:05 pm Adult Book Blogging Pros: Successes, Struggles and Insider Secrets 
• 11:15 am- 12:05 pm YA Book Blogging Pros: Successes, Struggles and Insider Secrets 
• 12:05 pm- 12:40 pm New! Pick up complimentary ticketed lunch. 
• 12:45 pm- 1: 45 pm Ethics Forum Luncheon 
• 2:00 pm- 2:45 pm Taking Your Online Presence Offline 
• 2:00 pm- 2:45 pm Blogging Platforms 
• 3:00 pm- 3:45 pm Extending the Reach of Your Blog Online 
• 3:00 pm- 3:45 pm Book Blogging and the “Big” Niches 
• 4:00 pm- 4:30 pm Closing Keynote with Randi Zuckerberg 
• 4:30 pm New! Networking Happy Hour

Be sure to check out the full list of speakers and register here.

Of course we will still have a very full schedule as well as quite a tremendous amount of sponsors, inside looks and more going on here at Armchair BEA if you aren't able to make it to the event in NY. So no need to worry! This year we're aiming to involve our online book community even more than ever with the live events happening in NY, so stay tuned for more exciting news over the next couple of weeks!

For full details and rules about the 2013 BOOKEXPO AMERICA (BEA) SOCIAL MEDIA AUTHOR BREAKFAST TICKET SWEEPSTAKES RULES be sure to visit our designated page.

First annual Armchair BEA Bloggers Choose the Best Books of the Year!

We have a new feature here for you guys that we are truly excited about. We realize that with so many bloggers joining our ranks and participating in our humble event each year, we have a truly golden chance to crowd source the best books of the year before each year!

The best part!? There will be an onsite live-streamed event. A real awards ceremony with trophies and cool stuff! We'll try to see what authors will be at BEA and able to come accept their awards.

So we need you to help spread the word and fill in these handy dandy nomination forms. If you see a category I (Pam) missed you can email me at pam.vhv@gmail.com. I can't promise I'll add it (as I have to ship trophies soon) so please be quick if you notice something missing.

You have the entire weekend to nominate. The top three books with the most unique (and yes I can tell if you are spamming) votes will go to the voting round. Monday we'll begin voting!


Edit: Nomination round now extended through Monday at midnight EST. Voting will begin Tuesday.

Announcing the 2013 Armchair BEA Agenda!!

Mark your calendars!  The 2013 Armchair BEA agenda is now live!!  

The Armchair BEA team is excited to finally announce the agenda for the 4th annual Armchair BEA!  We have had lengthy discussions, we have read through your feedback from previous years, and we have settled on our daily topics.  Read on for more information, and do not forget to register for the event!

One thing that we have changed for this year is we have added multiple topics for each day to discuss:  one that is topic-based and one that is genre-based.  This will provide participants an opportunity to chat specifically about the topic at hand or share something generally about the selected daily genre (i.e., list of favorites, books you would recommend, a piece that changed your life, a recurring re-read, etc.).  In essence, we will be providing interactions regarding blogging and reading -- the best of both worlds!  

As in previous years, you will have the opportunity to link up your personal posts and reactions for each topic so other participants can stop by and join in the conversation.  In addition, we will also be adding a NEW opportunity for participants to link up to genre-specific lists to assist in networking with like-minded bloggers.

Tuesday, May 28:  Introductions & Classics

We kick off the week by starting with introductions of ourselves.  Last year, we changed things up by having everyone answer questions from a pre-determined list.  It was such a hit, that we are doing it again.  The questions and more information will be posted in the weeks leading up to the event, so you can plan accordingly.

Our first genre discussion will revolve around classic literature.  Ideas for discussion include a list of your favorite classics, books you would recommend to a non-classic believer, or even what draws you to keep reading those classics over and over again!

Wednesday, May 29:   Blogger Development & Genre Fiction

Day 2 we talk about how we develop ourselves as bloggers.  Have you branched out into your community? Do you partner with other bloggers?  Have you gone "pro" or begun supplementing your income through your blog?  Are you a long-term blogger, and how has your online personality developed over the years?  These are simply ideas.  Think development and tell us what comes to mind.

The book-ish focus will be genre fiction.  What draws you to a specific genre?  Do vampires, zombies, or witches float your boat?  Or, do you prefer the heat of romance?  Recommend your favorite genres and/or books and help build reader TBR shelves a bit more!

Thursday, May 30:  Giveaways & Literature 

We take a break from official discussions on Thursday to allow participants to hop around the web and enter blogger-hosted giveaways!  Start planning your giveaway now!

The genre of discussion is general literary fiction.  Which works of art have changed your life?  Be creative and make a list outlining books featuring specific subjects (i.e., animals, recommended prize-winners, outstanding authors, etc.).

Friday, May 31: Ethics & Non-Fiction

We get back into discussions on Friday with the heavy topic of ethics.  Do you have recommendations to new bloggers to ensure credit is given to whom/where credit is due?  Have you had an experience with plagiarism?  How did you deal with it?  What are the guidelines as bloggers that we must follow?

We bridge the genre gap from fiction to all things non-fiction.  Do you read non-fiction?  Why or why not?  Is there a specific type of non-fiction that you prefer to read (i.e., historical, true crime, memoirs, biographies, etc.)?  What is the perfect book for a first-time non-fiction reader?

Saturday, June 1: Keeping it Real & Children's/Young Adult Literature

What exactly does "keeping it real" mean?  The meaning lays in keeping.  How do you not only grow an audience, but how do you keep them coming back for more?  If you have been around for years, how do you keep your material fresh?  How do you continue to keep blogging fun?

Our final genre focuses on the younger crowd:  children's picture books and young adult literature and everything in between.  What are the top 5 (or more) books that every child should have on his shelf?  If you are an adult who reads YA, why do you keep going back for more?  If you are not a reader of these books, think back to your childhood and share your favorites from your younger years.

Sunday, June 2: Armchair BEA Wrap-Up

On this final day, we encourage you to wrap-up the week with your favorites and highlights of the week.  Did you learn something new?  Did you connect with a new-to-you blogger?  What was your favorite discussion topic?  Do you have ideas for future years?  You can write your own blog post and link it up, but we also encourage you to take our end-of-event survey.

In addition to the daily topics, we will also be featuring special guest posts, photos and videos from on-site, featured giveaways, twitter parties, and so much more.  Be sure to check back here often to stay up-to-date on all the upcoming and ongoing news in the weeks to come!

WANTED: Volunteers for the Commenting Committee

We Want YOU! To Volunteer 
 

Maybe you are looking for a way to be involve with Armchair BEA but don’t know where you would fit. Do you love to get to know people and share cheer? Do you like to encourage others? We have a perfect fit for almost anyone and everyone!!! 

We are in need of Volunteers for the Commenting Committee. Everyone needs a little encouragement along the way and this group gets to do just that. It doesn’t matter if you have done this in the past or you would like to give something new a try we would love to have you join us. As part of this committee, volunteers are assigned a number of blogs a day during Armchair BEA to comment on. Commenting is an important job as it helps every participant feel included in Armchair BEA!

To help ensure that you feel prepared to fulfill your role during this week, we are happy to announce that each commenter will receive a Cheerleading Survival Packet with tips, suggestions and a selection of fun buttons created just for you! We want you to have fun while you are helping us ensure that everyone is included! The more volunteers we have the easier it will be for everyone so grab your friends and sign up together!

Volunteers need to be available during the event, Monday, May 27 - Sunday, June 2, 2013, to comment on their assigned blogs.  Deadline for signing up to be a commenting volunteer is Monday, May 13, 2013.

Please fill out the following form below. If you have any questions, email one of the commenting chairs at lisasworldofbooks@charter.net or becca7931@yahoo.com or gyrl1214@aol.com.

Armchair BEA: Registration Is Open!!!

Design credit: Nina of Nina Reads

We are excited to announce that it is now time to register for the fourth annual Armchair BEA!! Read on for more information and to get all the details of the biggest event of the year! 

Design credit: Sarah of Puss Reboots

Armchair BEA is an online conference that runs in conjunction with Book Expo America in New York City. There are a large number of people around the world that are not able to join in the literary celebrations in the Big Apple, so Armchair BEA brings the celebration to you by allowing networking among other book bloggers, authors, and publishers as well as special coverage of the event, all from the comfort of your own comfy armchair. For more information, be sure to check out our new FAQ page!

Design credit: Emily of Emily's Reading Room

Last year, we had more than 600 participants partaking in our daily discussion topics, twitter chats, and giveaways. This year, we hope to reach even higher and make the event even larger than previous years. We have recently expanded our team to include Commenting Co-Chairs and added a special focus in honor of our international participants with two International Liaisons. In the weeks to come, we will be announcing our official agenda, scheduling twitter chats, and soliciting your help to cheer on our participants. In the meantime, mark your calendars for Monday, May 27 – Sunday, June 2, 2013, grab one of our buttons to add to your site (please be sure to credit our artists!), and complete the registration form below:

Questions:  Email us at armchairbea (at) gmail (dot) com

Please feel free to spread the news 
and see you back here very soon!

Calling All 2013 Sponsors!

Part of the excitement of making the trek to BEA is in part meeting so many wonderful authors & publishers, but also the amazing books you come in contact with, many of which you take home. Armchair BEA strives to bring many of the aspects of Book Expo America into the homes of our fellow book bloggers in every way possible, including through our sponsors. Each year we've had an astounding amount of Sponsors, from authors to publicists and many of the publishing houses attending the event in NY. This year we'd love to continue that tradition and this is where our Sponsors come in! 

 As part of this event, you will have two options . . . (1) **Sponsorship** hosted right here on the Armchair BEA site or (2) a giveaway hosted on your own personal blog or site. For the latter (personal giveaways), we will have a post available during the week of the event with you to link to your own site. This post is for those who wish to do the 1st option and be a Sponsor for Armchair BEA. 

You may be asking...who qualifies to be a sponsor or even what one is exactly? 

• A sponsor could be an author, a publicist, a publisher, a bookstore and potentially even other fellow book bloggers. 
• Please Note: This year, because of the high number of sponsors over the last few years, we are asking that book bloggers wishing to sponsor Armchair BEA be those that are unable to participate in the "Giveaway Day" during the event week. If you know that you will not be able to participate in the event (for whatever reason) than please feel free to fill out the form below to sign up to be a sponsor!

What does being a Sponsor for Armchair BEA provide you with? 

• Listing on the Armchair BEA Giveaways Page as a Sponsor, including links back to your website or specified page. 
• Advertising of whichever title(s) you wish to provide with your Sponsorship. 
• Mention on social media sites such as Twitter (@ArmchairBEA), Pinterest and our Facebook Page.
• Photo ops live from BEA from our on-site corespondents. *New this year. See the sign-up form.*
• Viewing by hundreds of book bloggers as well as their followers. (Last year we had over 800 participants!)
• Possibility of promotion by the bloggers who receive winnings. (Though it is at each individual blogger's discretion what they choose to share on their personal sites/blogs, we will encourage them to make mention of their winnings in some form either via an In My Mailbox post, review, or a way they are comfortable with. Again, not required.) 

We believe that our Sponsors truly make Armchair BEA one of the best ways to participate in BEA from the comfort of their very own homes and appreciate each tremendously! If you wish to be a Sponsor for Armchair BEA 2013, please take a few moments to fill out the form below. 

PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to have your item(s) hosted here, credit and link love will be given to you and we will handle the contest itself; however, you will still be responsible for shipping your item(s) to the winner(s). Shipping information will be provided to you by one of the Armchair BEA chairs once they have been selected. Sponsorship offers will be accepted until Sunday May 19, 2013 to allow for time to prep proper publicity for each. Thank you!

Sponsors, if you still have questions feel free to contact Jasmine, Tif, Pam or Danielle at armchairbea (at) gmail (dot) com. If you unable to view the form below, you can also access it here.