BEA Fandango

Posted on by scott

So a mere two days after we arrived back Stateside, Justine and I threw ourselves into Book Expo America, a vast mass of parties, free books, and publishing schmooze.

The first thing you realize about BEA is that it is big. Thirty thousand people big. Here’s a photo of a tiny part of it:

Do you believe me now?

The first day at the S&S booth, Simon & Schuster staff were handing out sample books of Extras (not advanced readers’ copies, just the first three chapters. Scotty was late). They were being extremely good sports and wearing t-shirts declaring themselves to be uglies, pretties, specials, and extras.

That’s my jet-lag expression. Note dark circles under eyes.

On Saturday, I had a signing, where more sample books were passed out. Here’s the vast and intimidating autographing area where about 20 authors sign at the same time.

And here’s a view from backstage.

On the left you can see the hordes of people lining up in the maze of stanchions (reminding this Texan of a cattle yard). On the right, the boxes of books waiting to be signed. I’m pretty good with crowds by now, but passing through that curtain at the beginning of your signing is rather nervous-making.

Here’s me in action . . .

I signed about 200 sample books in my hour. The jet lag hit about halfway through, so apologies to friends I didn’t recognize, people I was weird to, and for all the misspelled names. And thanks for coming! You were all very sweet.

And suddenly it was over with five minutes to spare, so I put on an “I’m an Extra” shirt to pose with.

By the way, Simon & Schuster will be giving away loads of these shirts as October 2 comes closer! And I’ll be giving away any spare Extras sample books. Watch this blog for details.

Thanks to everyone at S&S for the posters, t-shirts, party invites, lunches, and other kindnesses that made BEA loads of fun.

So very soon I’ll be doing the following:
1) Trying to put up the videos I’ve been taking.
2) Put up promised pix of Singapore, etc.
3) Blog some of the books I swagged at BEA.

And don’t forget that you can pre-order Extras now.

136 thoughts on “BEA Fandango”

  1. that’s cool. when will you post the first three chapters of extras on the computer so we can all read it.

    i’m the first to post!!

  8. I know how Scott feels, our drama team went through a time zone to get to the comptition. I didn’t sleep for two noghts and can’t sleep in moving vehicles. I spent the whole trip home staring at a “No Smoking” sign above our teachers head. I blinked about three times and that was it.

  9. OMG… thats cool! I want a T-shirt 2! So you have more of the “pre” extras books….. You should post it here so we can read it!!!

    PS: Loved the pictures!

  11. I want a specials shirt. Really, really badly. If I had known you could get them, I so would have been there. Oh well, I hope you got over your jet lag and hope to see Singapore soon.

  14. i wish i could go to BEA too!!!! yea you should really post the first 3 chaps for all your fans online to see. and when will the t-shirts come? i REALLY want an ugly and special one!!!

  15. I WANT A T-SHIRT!!!:-) sorry… got kind of carried away. I want Extras SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BAD!!!

  16. I really really want a shirt, too!! So do my friends as well. And I totally want the first three chapters of Extras. I think it would be so fool if all of the fans could see them on the blog.

  17. It says June 5th even though it’s the 4th becase it’s a different time zone (I think Australia.)

    I want to read the first three chapters!!!!!!!!!
    And I want the t-shirts!!!!!!!!!!!!

  19. i want one of those shirts so bad. i just got my friend to start reading uglies. she necer reads so it’s a miracle. she likes it a lot so far. i just noticed that you have the bluest eyes ever. i know that sounds really disterbing ans wierd but you do.

  21. Candy, i have a dog that is named Candy Girl. i like to spell Candy like Candi.

    a little off topic.

  22. Ya, those shirts are sweet! and i cannot wait to read extras. My mom wont let me pre-order ***Gives mothrer dirty look***

  24. This is a question that is probably gonna make me sound stupid, but those ‘I’m an Extra’ T-shirts… What exactly IS an Extra? Is it some kind of ugly? Or did Scott just call it that because the book it self is extra?

    I’m sure this question has a fairly obvious answer and I am just randomly rambling, but I still don’t know.

  25. i want the shirts they rock but even more i want the first 3 chapters !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    it would be fawsome at the bea

  27. my sympathy goes out to you, it must really suck having to sit and sign all day. i would need a donut to sit on so my butt dosnt go numb! but i guess its all worth it, right?

  28. AHHH! I so want to be there even though its like over. And I want a T-Shirt. And I want a sample book. I want alot of stuff. SCOTT’S A GIANT MUFFIN STEALER!! Go to Maureen Johnson’s blog for details on that note. Lol.

  32. All I want is for my kitten to stop trying to chew on my hair. But a t-shirt would be nice. And a sample book. And for it to be October already so I can read extras.

  34. *gapes at biggness*

    That looks like so much fun. All books and authors, it would be kinda like heaven…

  35. I want one of each shirt. WHERE CAN I GET ONE? I don’t wanna wait that long for Extras… but at least I can get it for my birthday… Yay birthday!

  36. bea really does look like heaven elmo. you know what people say if you are at a friends house a lot they say it is you second home, well that is looks like 6th after my church, the public library where i live, barnes and nobel and half price books

    kinda off of topic

  37. question scott- (having to do with maureen johnson’s blog) was that gigantic muffin real? or was it some prop material stuff like the candy boxes that sadly don’t have giant candy in them?

  38. OH happiness is here come on Scott make my summer pleez tell me where i can get a shirt and a sample book. I am 17 years old unemployed except for babysitting so the highlight of my day is when i get to change a diaper that doesn’t have a “surprise” in it. And i’m a huge fan i even spend $18 on specials because my library didn’t have it yet and i wasn’t patient enought to wait. Give me something to do while the kids sleep man.lol.

  39. I can’t wait for Extras! I teach high school reading and after I convince my students that Uglies really isn’t as long as they think it is (or get sneaky and use Peeps or So Yesterday to snare them in to your writing), they’ve all loved it. There has been some spirited debate amongst students who have read it about the relative annoyance of various book endings, but that’s a GOOD thing!

    If you have a spare extra of Extras (that’s just fun to say …) I know that our librarian would ADORE a copy. Yes, I do beg shamelessly on behalf of my public school’s library. 🙂

  40. wow those ppl are like really really lucky!!!! i cant wait for extras!!! and how do u get a shirt i want one!!!!!!!!

  42. oh that sounds like fun you know it is really random looking at eveything from everyones different points of veiw scott westerfeld maureen johnson ,and john green all talking about the sam ething, except different like maureen johson talked about the book thing for like 3 hrs (not that it’s bad) and john green, was more interested in a nerd fighter wedding. and scott was more like in the middle kinda if you know whaty i mean. anyway it’s been coolhearing about all this stuff from everyone

  43. omg someone with the same name as me posted just before me, and it’s confusing so i am the one rambling on about different perspectives just to ket you know

  44. I want a shirt soooooo badly! Were did this event take place?? I soo wish I was there. I wish little ol’ me could have the first three chapters of Extras.

  47. I just saw Rosie O’Donnell on E! at BEO. Sigh. It looked so awesome. Although it can be annoying when there are so many people. And I’m going to ALA! Can’t complain. I can’t wait to get Extras. You have got to post the three chapters here soon.

  48. Heyyyy, was the BEA open to the public?????
    If it was,,,,,,,,,,,Scott!!!! You should have mentioned something!!!!!i SOO WANTED TO GO
    sorry if i sound so whiny but i really could have gonbe and see you and other authors if i knew it was happening!!!!!!!!!!Awwww man

  49. You have 2 post the first three chapters!!!! I really, REALLY don’t think I can wait till october to read them!!!

  50. FIRST. THREE. CHAPTERS= COMING TO ME. Pleaaaase Scott-la? I’ll even answer questions or wear strange Uglies-themed costumes out in public (… that isn’t much of a sacrifice though) I’ll even write what I think Extras should be like if you want:D

  52. haha. that’s so awesome.
    free books!
    i think.

    but i gotta say scott:
    its just so cool that you go out with your author friends. like you guys have an AUTHOR GROUP in which you are usually seen together, e.g. maureen johnson, john green. am i correct?
    i dont know why i find that so cool.

  53. how can i get a T-shirt. Oh and indigoeyes all i know is that extra is about a 15 year old girl names aya or somethin like that i think she is uglie/prettie/special but thats my guess shes only 15. Scott y did u let us know about Bea befor it happend. If you can you should post the first three chapters.

  55. Scott you should post at least the first chapter! What about those of us that can’t pre order or go to awesom book signings!?!?! please post!

  57. Hey Scott! Yeah, it would be great if you posted the first chapter…Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, I would be having an anxiety fit after reading it. It would be great.
    I really want one of those shirts! Don’t know which one I would get, though. Is there anything written on the back?
    Thanks a bunch, Scott! Sounds like you had fun! 😉 Wish I had been there.

  58. i had a dream that he posted the first 3 chapters that says how 🙁 i am that it wasnt there when i looked today 🙁 (im so pathetic)

  62. Hey that looked fun. I really liked her shirt. If I saw one like that, I would buy it and cherrish it every moment!!!

  64. Free booksss!!??? OMFG! i would love thattt!!!!!!! like, seriously, if there was anything more i could have…it would be books, i could care LESS about clothes and crap…boookssssbooksbooksbooks and more BOOKS! lolool! whhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! i’m hyper, i graduated 2day, and i’m v. excited! NO MORE SKOOOOLLLL! *does happy dance* ps- i saw Pirates 3 times…going for the fourth with my dad…its gonna so totally rock! i luv the song Face Down and Here In Your Arms

  66. oh, wellllll, i meant like…i “graduated” and i’m goin’ on 2 Highskool now…lolol! anyway…

  67. MUST HAVE SHIRT
    will u post the first 3 chapters
    does anyone know if i preorder it from amazon if they ship it october 2nd or do i get it october 2nd??
    school’s out we had 1 hour todey

    🙂

  73. OMG Shan!! Thats my favorite song!!! lol

    Mathew-wa…. wut are you talking about?? Im sure it’s obvios or something, but I dont get it.

    I know I’ve said this so many times before… but YOU HAVE 2 POST THOSE CHAPTERS!!!!!!!!

  75. i AM hyper!!!!!! aanndd Face Down IS a good song! annnddd and and and…ummm…i want a pirates of the caribbean shirt, and the Extras shirt! must HAVES! MUST HAVES! 🙂

  76. i actually found this site randomly, i was looking at pictures for Uglies, 2 c the different types of covers, and i clicked on one, and it brought me here…pretty sweet. then after i read The Last Days, i saw that the website pg was in his little bio in the back of the book, i was like “OOohh…”

  77. i’m da biggest Westerfan there is…and Chicago is dyeing to c u..*coughcoughcomecoughherecough*

  78. woww im late hea….havent posted in a while
    Shan ive read all of your posts calm down!!! 🙂 i found this site after reading uglies and did a project for skool. (8 more days left of that!!!!) i luv face down and here in your arms, me being a big rock and roll fan ya kno. do any of you like Daughtry??? OMG i LOVE him!!!!!!

  82. In September? If that is true (and I do not ever trust wiki) then Scott has hidden information. What I remember is that it involves airships. And is set in the past. The memories are vague.
    I can not wait for Extras. Or Justine’s fairy book.

  84. Kayla-wa: Yeah I like Daughtry 2!! I have ever since he was on American Idol!! Oh and Shan, you are lucky 2 live in a Chicago, where Scott mite actually come!!! The place I live is to small to even be called a city. There are only two zip codes here, and one highschool. Trust me, you have a better chance of him coming to your city, than my “town,” wich is so not fair!!! LOL

  85. Dude! Totally bubbly-making shirts! I sooo want one! PLEASE put a store on this website or something! Sell those shirts and the books!

  88. hmmm i wanna see Leviathan and Extras of course!!!! i never heard of Justines books…
    Jessie: i kno he is soo awesome!!!!!! i cried when he didn’t win lol!

  89. ok this might be just a little randome…. but i LOVE THREE DAYS GRACE ANIMAL I HAVE BECOME!!!!! 🙂 lol and i like pain and riot and i like the whole cd lol yea hehe

  90. I want to hear about Leviathan. All Scott blogs about is Extras, and no offense to Uglies-fans, but Leviathan sounds cooler.

  93. this is also randome but i just had the veryy unpleasent experiance of seeing my councelers chest-hairless chest ewwwey butten your shirt it was a scary talent show

    srry bout that

    Leviathan sounds cool and new

  95. How does everyone know about this “trilogy” I haven’t heard anything about it. But it does sound kinda cool!

  96. *Jessie*, Leviathen is about ww1. you can find the interview at the bottom of wikipedia page of scott. it says sff world. it is in the last paragraph.

  97. That’s so freaking amazing!! See, I knew I loved you for a reason!!! Your so amazingly awesome!!! HU-RAY!! I betta get a preview thingy for Extras or you’ll be in major trouble, scotty!!

  101. 101 hurry up!!!
    ok this is random but (its true) i had a dream that you posted up a blog thing and it was about your favorite fans….interesting

  102. Kayla – i like Daughtry, he’s good! ‘specially “Home” its such a touching song
    Alexa – dude, i like the band “One-X”, lol, i think..maybe…no probably not. lolol.
    I do hope that Scott does come here! *giggle* Pirates of the Caribbean rules!

  104. i kno it is very touching, home, home, home…but everyone hates me for liking himm!!!! my friends think rock is like the worst kind of music ever. i LOVED the 3rd Pirates movie!!!! i hope there’s more, even though it seemed like the end there. Scott will never come to my town. Living in the smallest state, no famous people come here.

  106. well they’re like he’s butt ugly and cant sing good and im like wtf??? hes such a great singer, i mean for coming off american idol and getting on mtv and all.

  107. Why don’t they like rock music?? And Daughtry can sing, like really really good! lol

    I think it’s time 4 a new post!!!!!!!

  109. Though I am not a huge Daughtry fan I at least know that they are not ‘screaming and guitars’ and that they do, in fact, make sense.
    As I said before, I’m not thier biggest fan. I prefer Augustana and The Fray and Switchfoot.

  110. i so0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o want one of those shirts. i would want to have an “im an ugly” or an “im a special” shirt. i wouldnt want an “im a pritty” shirt because my friends will just think im bragging about my looks. i also do get the whole “im an extra” shirt. i dont get it because extras are not people. the book is called Extras because it is basicly extra stuff about what happens after the cure is spread.

    P.S. why are people talking about rock music on here?
    P.P.S. i

  112. i got cut off again!
    i was saying i love rock music
    and that the Uglies triligy will be better than Leviathan.

  116. I love the Fray!!! I like Augustana 2, but I’ve only heard one of their songs, Boston. And It’s been like 5 DAYS since this post was posted.

  117. i despise greenday, good charlette fall out boy
    i love ramones, nirvana, guns n roses
    no offene to any one else

    oh, and so this wont be totally off topic:
    POST THE CHAPTERS PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

  118. We have to draw pictures of someone we admire… for French class. I do not know how that corresponds to French. My teacher does not speak the language. I picked Scott just because he was the first person I thought of and copied the one in all the dust jackets that only shows half his face. So now he is on the piece of paper looking all serious-like. And kind of ugly because I can’t draw.

  120. haha.
    jessie.
    i agree with your taste in music 🙂
    and why does no one know what Leviathan is?? look it up in previous posts.
    (is scott even writing it??)

  122. ME WANT T-SHIRT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And i really want Extras 2 but i know if i get one of those 3 chapter things i’ll go insane waiting for the rest of it! in the mean time i’ll be reading ur other books. when i first came to ur site i had only read the Uglies trilogy and i hav decided to read the others in count down to Extras. I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!! BEA sounds AH-MAZING!!! I so wish i could’ve been there! Its too bad you had jet lag tho. I’ve never acctually had it (darn parents dont take me anywhere) but i’m sure it kinda ruined ur day a little. o well. i shut up now.

  123. I want either the “I’m an ugly” or the “I’m a special” shirt. NOW!! and of course the Extras book thing. its really bugging me. october is SO far away! and WHAT IS AN EXTRA?

  124. BEA was awesome! I “stole” so many books, as you said. haha. And hsgoisnvfjghsrt about Extras not being there. Very sad-making.

  125. I haven’t been on the site in awhile (months to be exact, i know its blasphimy, i also know that it is spelled wrong). But to see that there is a fourth book to Uglies, well i almost fell out of my chair. I continuosly searched the web about it only to find it doesn’t come out for like 4 months (to my utter disdain) was a very sad-making moment. I will be checkin my lcal barnes and nobles tirelessly in october waiting for it to be on the self. And as a budding writter ( i use budding lightly due to my just entering high school age) i would like to know if Scott could e-mail me some pointers. I am always stuck on the whole actually starting the story part. Once i get it, it is as easy as… well something that is easy. But if anyone on the site has any ideas on my horrible writters block feel free to comment back! i’ll be checkin the feverishly for the next few days. (did i use feverishly in the wrong way, i did didn’t i…crap) oh and i thought of that easy thing … breathing, its common enough (i would hope… that would be a great part of a story wouldn’t it? a disease that stopped u from breathing) sorry got off the subject, any ways help is welcome and i cant wait for extras!!!!!

  126. i apologive for some missing words, i tend to type slower that i think… i need to work on that

  127. My brother and his friends are sitting there laughing at me because I keep spazzing out when I hear something about Extras.

    I WANT AN EXTRA COPY!!!

  129. Wow that is so cool!those t-shirts are pretty amazing!!!I want a specials one!!or maybe a pretties? i dont know maybe both!!!! cannot wait till Extras comes out you have no idea!!! the books are amazong!!!

  131. i want one of those shirts super bad.
    i love love love the first three and i cant wait for extras.

  132. OMG!! When I found out there was another book. I flipped out. Haha its quite funny. I’ve been talking to my family and friends about everything that has happened in the trilogy and pretty much they are annoyed. I am trying to get my sister to read it but i was like shocked when she thought it was boring *glares at sister* Well I do think you should post the 3 chapters on here but it would seem like so much time spent on posting it. But what do I know. Well anyways…those T-Shirts are so bubbly-making. Sorry you had jet-lag. But BEA looked like fun.

  134. i thought that “i’m an ugly” t-shirt was funny, can’t wait to get my hands on Extras!!!

  135. I want Extraaaaaaaaaaaaaaas!!!!!!!!!!
    & an Extras Samplerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!
    & an Extras T-Shirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt!!!!!!!!!
    (really really badley!)

  136. I think you should write a 4th and 5th book, because me and my friend are, and ITS AWESOME! Jessica gets unstuck from the midnight hour and ther’s new characters, you really should want to know about our ideas, they rock like you!

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