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21
Want an Alternative to the BEA Bloggers Conference?
2012 at 4pm Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
I’m as surprised to see that headline here as you are. I was involved in planning both of the previous Book Bloggers Conventions, and I loved the “for us, by us” feel. I was not involved in the sale of the Book Bloggers Conventions to BEA; in fact, I wasn’t aware of it at all prior to the public announcement.
In the months since that announcement, I’ve developed concerns about the direction the event is going and about the fact that the programming of this year’s agenda seems more focused on allowing publishers and authors to get in front of bloggers than on creating a day of education to benefit bloggers. Why would I want to pay to spend a day being marketed to?
Jenn Lawrence (of Jenn’s Bookshelves) expressed similar dismay this afternoon when she discovered that the registration page for the BEA Bloggers Conference asked for information about bloggers’ traffic with the intent of publishing the information to the website and sharing it with publishers attending the conference. (Bonus points to Jenn–her calling public attention to this resulted in the removal of these items from the registration page. You can see Jenn’s screenshot of what it looked like here.)
Here’s what I think about this direction, in one tweet:
The publishing industry has finally recognized the value that bloggers add to the literary community, and they’ve made it a priority to find us, interact with us, and try to convince us to read and write about their books. And that’s a great thing. We’re here, and we’re doing something meaningful, and it feels good to have it acknowledged. But there’s something wrong when an event that is supposed to be about bloggers coming together to learn from and with each other is purchased, repackaged, and presented as a way for publishers to access and sell to bloggers. So I won’t be attending the BEA Bloggers Conference this year.
I’m a big believer in “if the thing you want doesn’t exist, go out and make it,” so instead, I’ll be working with my friend and colleague Jeff O’Neal on the “unconference” he decided (just this afternoon) to put together. Bloggers ONLY. Organic. Low-cost. For us, by us. A place where you’re a colleague, not a commodity. If the idea picks up steam (at least 30-40 people), we’ll make it happen. If you’re interested, click the link above to visit Jeff’s blog and leave your thoughts, feedback, ideas for panels, whatever. And if you’re excited, please share it. What we bloggers do is important, and it’s important that we have a space that is just ours to share ideas, learn, and challenge each other.
No related posts.
I’m so there.
I planned a big vacation around attending the blogger conference this year and was super excited about attending for the first time. Now it kind of feels like I naively signed up for some kind of time-share-esque spiel. However, I haven’t canceled my registration yet because if I’m going to travel all that way I’m still sure as heck going to hang out with some book bloggers.
BUT if there’s an alternative gathering? On the same day? I would totally be down for that.
I’m in like Flynn.
Amanda´s last [type] ..The Iliad by Homer
did you see, the Reading Ape has a great proposal: see here: http://thereadingape.blogspot.com/2012/03/book-blogger-unconference.html
I’m in. I knew some other awesome un conference book people too.
Jane´s last [type] ..REVIEW: On His Honor by Jean Brashears
That’s the Jeff I refer to in the closing paragraphs.
You know, book people can just go bowling on Monday, June 4th. It’s really that simple. There’s no need to spend all day in a flourescent-lit cesspool when you can have fun. Plus, there’s a great old school alley with a bartender with tall tales and long sideburns I know of in Brooklyn. Say the word and I’ll organize.
Edward Champion´s last [type] ..The Bat Segundo Show: Hari Kunzru, Part Two
Well, should we decide to spend the day basking in the glow of fluorescent lighting, there is always the Bookrageous Bash that night! (But duly noted: bowling is a good alternative.)
I stated on Jeff’s blog that I am incredibly interested in this. Why would we want to spend out time and money on be marketed to? This makes no sense and is not at all why I had an interest in BBC. I want to learn more about blogging, network and meet the people I interact with so frequently online, and have a damn good time. The “new” BBC sounds like it embodies none of that. The uncon on the other hand sounds fantastic and exactly what we as bloggers need and want. I am coming up with Amanda and will be able to help with anything at all. I definitely would prefer the uncon to the BBC. Hopefully there will be enough participants to turn thins into a Thing.
I registered for BBC forever ago, before the sale happened (at the original price that included BEA, even. Suckers.), I’ve been cautious about the “new” BBC but still planning to go, as my main reason for going to NYC at all is meeting up with other bloggers. I’m quite intrigued by this “unconference” idea, which seems to be much more like what BBC started out to be. There are plenty of other opportunities during BEA week for face time with authors and publisher’s reps,
I commented at Jeff’s blog too–there’s a good change I’d blow off part or all of BBC for an event like this.
Florinda´s last [type] ..(BlogHer) Book (Club) Talk: *The Fault in Our Stars*, by John Green
I would be interested in both events. Right now I have a conflict with BEA so having an alternate event on a different day would be very attractive. Plus – NYC is great but pricey.
I’m way in!
[...] BEA Bloggers Conference is getting set to take off, but not without significant resistance! Due to some, err, controversial decisions, such as the Conference requesting [...]
I would rather the UnConference not compete with the BBC. Many of us have already registered, so it would be more advantageous if it occured at a different time/day than the scheduled BBC session. Is anyone establishing a formal site for this?
Julie Merilatt´s last [type] ..True Sisters by Sandra Dallas
[...] the Book Blogger’s Convention (BBC) that is held in conjunction with BookExpo America (BEA). The Book Lady has piggybacked on The Reading Ape’s notion that this year’s BBC has become too commercialized [...]
[...] child of Jeff of The Reading Ape, and some prodding by a few other people, including Rebecca at The Book Lady’s Blog (and me, which mostly consisted of Twitter messages that just said, [...]
Not going to the blogger con ’cause BEA pass wasn’t included and it seemed iffy. Keen for an uncon!
Keri Payton´s last [type] ..Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins