BookCon 2019

Held this weekend after the BookExpo trade show, BookCon 2019 is a consumer event at Javits aimed at the many fans who love to read, but who cannot finagle a pass into the trade show. The focus is a little different; where BookExpo’s mission is to sell books and related merchandise to booksellers, librarians, and corporate buyers, BookCon is aimed directly at the consumer, not unlike a comic con or gaming convention, but with books as the primary focus. It’s run by ReedPOP, which also stages the much more more New York Comic Con in the Fall.
“Book lovers” (or “bookworms” if you’re feeling nerdy) aren’t considered a fandom. That’s mostly because it’s a big tent that includes lots of specific fandoms… science fiction, comics, cosy mysteries, book clubs, young adult novels, cooking, biographies… and while book festivals do cater to myriad fans, there isn’t a big “Comic-Con” event featuring bestselling authors. BookCon hopes to change that, except it’s still a small event, even after six years, as the following infographic shows.

So, what’s going on this weekend that might be of interest to comics fans? Well, first, there are the

Exhibitors

most/all of whom were at BookExpo, and just switch promotional gears. Here’s the list of 28 exhibitors that appear under the “Comics/Graphic Novels” listing. Some are more “comic-y” than others, but here’s my suggestion: The show is so compact that you can easily visit every booth on the show floor. You don’t know what you might find!
Here’s the map for the show floor, where it’s always been… (Javits, 3B-3E)

Signings and Events:

Note: Not every publisher posts there booth signings on the BookCon website. I recommend getting onto the show floor as soon as it opens, and making a beeline to your favorite booths. You might score some exclusive swag, and the publicist should have a schedule posted so you can plan your day. Image and DC seem to do it best…
Actual autographing, at the tables in back…  the tickets are distributed digitally, so go to this page, read the rules, then, instead of scanning through the list of 98 events, click on the two squares that say “Saturday Events” and “Sunday Events”. That will take you to a checkout screen that will show you which few signings are still available. There might also be tickets available at the beginning of the day.
If you decide to camp out at a booth, ask a nearby staff member if it’s okay. Some booths have multiple signings each hour, and they might tell you when it’s best to come back, or if there’s a nearby space reserved for upcoming signings. A reminder of the Fundamental Rule of New York City Tourism: Get Outta Da Way! Don’t block aisles. Don’t be a jerk. And maybe talk to that stranger next to you…you might learn something new! Or ignore everyone by reading one of the many books in your tote(s), or check your social media. (Javits is mostly transparent to cellphone signals. Ignore whatever wi-fi is available, if it’s available.)

In-Booth Signing: Eoin Colfer

Jun 01, 2019, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM   Booth #1629

New York Times bestselling author Eoin Colfer will be signing copies of his award-winning graphic novel, ILLEGAL. (Free finished copies to the first 50 people in line.)
Free, item will be provided.

Baby-Sitters Club Meet and Greet with Ann M. Martin, Raina Telgemeier, and Gale Galligan

Jun 01, 2019, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM   Scholastic Booth
Join the club! For the first time ever Ann M. Martin, author of the Baby-Sitters Club, Raina Telgemeier (Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels 1-4), and Gale Galligan (Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels 5-7) will be together to meet with fans and celebrate the past, present, and future of the Baby-Sitters Club series. Meet the authors behind Stoneybrook’s coolest club, get a book signed, and receive a limited edition poster!

In-Booth Signing: Sean Murphy

Jun 01, 2019, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM   Location:Booth #1220

Sean will be signing copies of Batman: White Knight. Books will be available for purchase at the DC booth.
Free, bring your own item.

New York Times Best-Selling YA Authors Discuss DC Ink!

Jun 01, 2019, 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM   1E10
Join New York Times best-selling authors Kami Garcia (Teen Titans: Raven), Danielle Paige (Mera: Tidebreaker), Lauren Myracle (Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale), and Mariko Tamaki (Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass), as they discuss their new and upcoming YA graphic novels from DC Ink!

Must Read YA Graphic Novels

Jun 01, 2019, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM   1E14
Join some of YA’s biggest names for a discussion about graphic novels for teens and teens-at-heart. Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks (Pumpkinheads), Marissa Meyer (Wires & Nerve), Jen Wang (The Prince and the Dressmaker), Mariko Tamaki (Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me), and Colleen AF Venable (Kiss Number 8) break down why graphic novels are an ideal format for connecting with every type of YA reader.

In Booth Signing: Matthew Loux

Jun 01, 2019, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM   Booth #1544 & 1545

Guest Bookseller: Author will be handselling select titles from other authors as well as their own.
Book purchase required.

Dog Man: The Musical

Jun 01, 2019, 2:15 PM – 2:50 PM   Downtown Stage

Dav Pilkey’s classic Dog Man series is being turned into a musical. Come to the Downtown Stage to learn about the musical adaptation, to hear from Dav Pilkey, and to enjoy a few songs from the musical performed by the cast!

Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler Present CURSED

Jun 01, 2019, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM   1E16
The Lady of the Lake finds her voice in CURSED, a cinematic twist on the tale of King Arthur—soon to be an original Netflix series starring Katherine Langford in 2020! Join creators Tom Wheeler and legendary artist, producer, and director Frank Miller (300, Batman: The Dark Night Returns, Sin City) for a not-to-be-missed discussion with Entertainment Weekly’s Books Editor, David Canfield, about their debut YA coming-of-age novel about Nimue, who grows from a sheltered Priestess-in-training to a teenager hell-bent on revenge and finally, to a young woman with the power to change the fate of the world.

Pamela Behrend & Michael Genhart Comics Drawing Activity

Jun 01, 2019, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM   Family HQ

Join Pamela Behrend as she draws from her new book, The Survivor Tree, and Children’s Book Council staff as they lead a comic strip making activity.

In-Booth Signing: Kelly Sue DeConnick

Jun 01, 2019, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM   Booth #1220

Kelly Sue DeConnick will be signing Aquaman comics! Copies will be available for sale at the DC booth.
Free, bring your own book.

Matt Loux & Shira Erlichman

Jun 01, 2019, 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM   Family HQ

Join Matt Loux, a comics artist, as he draws from his latest book, The Time Museum, and Shira Erlichman as she draws from her new book, Be/Hold: A Friendship Book.

In-Booth Signing: Lauren Myracle & Isaac Goodhart

Jun 02, 2019, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM   Booth #1220

Author Lauren Myracle and artist Isaac Goodhart will be signing Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale! Books will be available for purchase at the DC booth.
Free, bring your own item

Riverdish: The Unauthorized Case Files of Riverdale

Jun 02, 2019, 10:30 AM – 11:05 AM   Downtown Stage

For Archie Andrews, Veronica Lodge, Jughead Jones, and Betty Cooper, high school is more than just pep rallies and milkshakes. Join authors and podcasters Samantha Gold and Ryan Bloomquist, hosts of the Riverdish Podcast, as they survey the many case files of Riverdale’s beloved ensemble cast, tackling everything from The Black Hood to Jingle Jangle to the Southside Serpents to bogus FBI agents and everything and everyone in between. With a deep knowledge of and appreciation for the show and all that makes it iconic, Sam and Ryan dissect and celebrate the dramatic and thrilling darkness of Riverdale.

DC & DC Black Label

Jun 02, 2019, 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM   1E16
Authors Kelly Sue DeConnick (Aquaman), Sean Murphy (Batman: White Knight), and Kami Garcia (Teen Titans: Raven) discuss the heroic and epic new stories of the DC universe and DC Black Label, a new mature readers imprint, and the power of telling enduring superhero tales. Moderated by DC Co-Publisher Dan DiDio!

GEEK GEEK REVOLUTION

Jun 02, 2019, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM   1E07

GEEK GEEK REVOLUTION BookCon Edition is a no-holds-barred literary game show featuring authors competing for the chance to be TOP BOOK GEEK. The audience members will be asked to write-in questions in the hopes of stumping the authors and winning book swag. Hold onto your hats, book nerds, this might get ugly…

In-Booth Signing: Danielle Paige

 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM   Booth #1220

Danielle Paige will be signing Mera: Tidebreaker! Books will be available for purchase at the DC booth.
Free, bring your own item.

Cortney Powell & Jessica Boehman Comics Drawing Activity

Jun 02, 2019, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM   Family HQ

Join Cortney Powell as she reads from her new book, Melowy #3:Time to Fly, and Children’s Book Council staff as they lead a comic strip making activity.

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