Beth Anderson, Children's Writer

Sometimes a large professional conference can be as puzzling as that famous cube with all the squares. Never fear, author Kerry Aradhya, has some tips to help you make the most of a conference opportunity.

AND…she’s offering a GIVEAWAY to one lucky person who comments on the post below—a copy of ERNO RUBIK AND HIS MAGIC CUBE!

You’ve got one more week for a chance to win Melissa Mwai’s giveaway: a 30-min AMA for an author or a book and classroom visit for an educator.

How to Navigate a King-Size Conference

By Kerry Aradhya

Books, books, and more books!

That’s what I found when I first stepped into the exhibit hall at the 2024 American Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition (or simply ALA) a few weeks ago. That’s also what I left with, but only in part. I also left with new friends, lasting memories, and strengthened connections to the kidlit community.

I realize how lucky I am that my debut picture book Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube was published just a couple weeks before ALA, making it a prime candidate for promotion at the conference. I am also extremely lucky that ALA happened to be in San Diego, within my home state of California. But does that mean I was ready for what I would encounter? No, not really! I did, however, learn a few things while I was there. Here are some of those things, which I hope will help you navigate your next ALA, SCBWI, NCTE, or other king-size conference for book-loving people like us…

POINTERS FOR PLANNING

• If you have a recent book, don’t be afraid to ask your publisher if you can attend. They may not pay your travel expenses, but they might cover your registration or set up a signing. If you are pre-published or don’t have a recent book, consider buying a one- or multi-day pass to the ALA exhibit hall. This is a great option if ALA comes your city or one within driving distance.
• Check if others from your SCBWI region, promo group, mentorship program, or critique group will be there. Make plans to meet up at the conference if you can!
• Leave room in your luggage for books and swag you will accumulate. For ALA, I packed an empty duffle bag and an extra sturdy tote. Wagons may be allowed in exhibit halls, but a medical reason and pre-conference paperwork may be required. Check into this early if you need this accommodation. Fed Ex or other postal services might also be available inside the conference venue in case you need to offload some books.
• Make sure you have Uber or a similar app on your phone so you’re not struggling at the airport or conference venue if you need a ride. To split fares with other people, those people need to be contacts in your phone (at least for Uber). I learned that the hard way, so I suggest adding contacts early to reduce stress later!

SIGNINGS AND SOCIALIZING

• Figure out the conference schedule and layout. For ALA, a searchable schedule was available online and via an app, and a map and alphabetized list of exhibitors were included in a paper program. Although most people I ran into seemed to prefer the app, I went old school. Each night I handwrote a schedule for the following day and carried it around with me. Do what works for you!
• Place a photo or sticker of your book on your conference badge or tote, or wear a 12×12 button if you’re a member. People you don’t yet know might recognize your book or affiliation and come say hi!
• Show up early for signing lines for popular authors and illustrators. At ALA, some publishers ran out of books only minutes after a signing officially started.
• If you have your own signing, double check that the signing slot your publisher gave you matches the one in the conference schedule. Sometimes they don’t match, and it can be confusing! If it’s your first time, show up early to get situated and consider asking a friend to take a few photos.
• Sometimes you will want to be at three conference sessions, panels, or signings at once. Show up where you can, and don’t feel bad if you miss something. Everyone is in the same boat!
• If you like to network, you may be in heaven at a huge conference! If networking isn’t your cup of tea, put yourself out there as best you can. I was invited to a publisher reception at ALA, and I basically hid in the corner for a while as I got my bearings and adjusted to the noise. Well, I wasn’t the only one, and ended up connecting with two lovely librarians who were hiding in the corner, too!

BREAKING BEFORE YOU BREAK

• Huge conferences can be overwhelming! Don’t forget to eat regular meals, drink water, and leave time in your schedule for breaks. If you’re staying at a nearby hotel, drop some books off and sneak in a few minutes (or more) of relaxation. Explore the conference center for sure-to-find hidden break spots.
• On my last day at ALA, I did a full sweep of the exhibit hall. It was more structured and calming than the previous few days. It also gave me a chance to explore books, genres, publishers, and exhibitors that hadn’t necessarily been on my radar. Consider this as a way to wind down at the end of a busy conference if time allows.

Once you navigate the chaos, the calm (that you may need to make for yourself), and the community of your next king-size conference, take some time to process the experience. I’m sure you’ll come up with some tips of your own to share, too!

Don’t forget to leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of ERNO RUBIK AND HIS MAGIC CUBE from Kerry Aradhya! (US addresses only, winner announced 7/26)

And if you enjoy a book, please support authors and illustrators by leaving online reviews! 😃