BookExpo America’s Autographing Programs have been a highlight for many years and provides attendees their best opportunity to meet ‘one-on-one’ a wide variety of authors – from new first-time authors to well-known best-sellers!  This year our Autographing Programs will feature over 600 author signings during BEA!

The Book Expo of America boasts the largest author autographing program in the US!

The Autographing Area

The Autographing Area will be open Friday through Sunday and will again present a wide selection of authors signing their latest releases. There truly is “something for everyone” in the Autographing Area!  Many booksellers have credited the autographing program for helping them discover some of the best new works at BEA each year.

The Book & Author Salutes

The Book & Author Salutes help direct attendees to the Autographing Area during times when authors of targeted genres are likely to be autographing books. However, there are always a wide variety of books to be presented in the Autographing Area at any given time.  

2008 Autographing Area ‘Salute’ Schedule – Autographing Area

Friday, May 30th Book & Author Salutes:

10:00 am   Women’s Fiction & Romance Novels; Women’s Issues.
11:00 am   New – Debut  Authors.  and The Environment; Going “Green!” 
1:00 pm   African-American Authors.
2:00 pm   Children’s Books.
3:00 pm   Juvenile Fiction & Non-Fiction.
4:00 pm   Graphic Novels & Comics.

Saturday, May 31st Book & Author Salutes:

10:00 am   Lifestyle, Health & Fitness. and  The Performing Arts.
11:00 am  The Best of Cooking & Nutrition; House & Home.
1:00 pm   Body, Mind, Spirit; Religion.  and  Family & Relationships.
2:00 pm   Non-Fiction & Business Books.  and   Current Events; Politics.
3:00 pm  Children, Juvenile, & Teenage - Fiction & Non-Fiction.
4:00 pm  Mystery, Thriller & Suspense.

Sunday, June 1st Book & Author Salutes:

10:00 am  Science Fiction & Fantasy.  
11:00 am  Sports & Recreation; Travel, Lifestyle.

Note: A printer-friendly version of the autographing program schedules will be available on this website in early April.

Attendees... your BEA Show Pass provides full access to all Autographing Programs at BEA!

Ticketed Authors

While most authors participating in the Autographing Area are on a first-come basis at their signing table, some celebrity and high-profile authors are in such demand that we limit the number of people who can get into that author’s line. To accomplish this, we distribute a limited number of complimentary “tickets” for these select authors on a first-come basis each morning in the lobby of the Convention Center, beginning at 6:30 am each day.  Each attendee can receive up to 4 “tickets” for different authors for that day, with a limit of 1 per author. This ticket is required to obtain an autographed copy of that author’s book. We do this to ensure that crowds don’t exceed the number of books that the author has available for signing.

The Gold Pass

To support the Book Industry Foundation, a $1 nominal fee per autographed book is requested in the Autographing Area.  However, you may choose to participate in our Gold Pass Program, which covers the requested donation for all of your autographed books with a one-time $30 donation.

In addition, the Gold Pass Program offers several benefits to enhance your autographing experience such as a “Front of the Line Pass,” a “one-time” pass allowing you to by-pass the crowds and go to the front of any one author’s line.  For your support of the Book Industry Foundation, you will also receive a membership in the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) and a thank you letter for your support of literacy, books and reading from the Association of American Publications, for display in your store or library. (Check the appropriate box on your registration form and add your $30 tax-deductible contribution.)

Platinum Pass...the Benefits of the Gold Pass and MORE! 

The Platinum Pass provides the following benefits in addition to the benefits of the Gold Pass:  Your choice of four (4) ticketed authors for each day... in advance!  No standing in line in the early morning to receive autographing tickets for your chosen authors! Choose your authors in advance and have your tickets waiting for you at registration!  Participation in the Platinum Pass program requires a donation of $75 to the Book Industry Foundation. (Check the appropriate box on your registration form and add your $75 tax-deductible contribution.)

Last year, the Platinum Pass sold out early!  Early registration is highly recommended for the Platinum Pass as participation is very limited.

In-Booth Autographing

In addition to authors appearing in the Autographing Area, many more authors may be found signing right in their publishers’ booths on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Discuss upcoming books with publishers and meet their authors at the same time. The In-Booth Autographing schedule will be on the BEA website in early April.

For More Information:

For Exhibitors/Publishers wishing information on becoming a part of our Autographing Program, contact Dave Holton, Autographing Program Coordinator at dholton@aginet.com.