Sneaking away from the cookout/backyard camping to capture my thoughts on the Book Blogger Convention. This going to be a bit ramble-y, sorry!

I loved meeting faces for real, in the flesh, beyond the blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc. By far, this was the greatest benefit to me. I’m a social person, there is only so much the online social media can do before it comes across as not enough. Attending the conference was non-stop, “Oh, I know your blog,” and “I follow you on Twitter!” I did a lot of gushing, and there was an instance when I could only muster a “I like your shoes!” because shyness got the better of me (I really did like the shoes, a lovely red sandal.)

I can testify that Jennifer and Carrie ( of 5 Minutes for Books) really do exist In Real Life.

Having said all that, I wish I had more time with these people on an informal basis. I arrived at the registration table that morning later than most, so I missed most of breakfast. I left right after the conference to get home back to the kids, hence missing all the post-conference dinner invitations and hanging out.

If there is a Book Blogger Conference 2011, I must make more time for the social benefits of the conference, which means either staying in the city overnight or coming home later. I’m going to have to give this idea more thought because I’m not sure which solution is right for me.

I met new bloggers I’d never read before; book publicists and authors, all eager to talk books and reading. Too funny: all the business cards being passed around at lunch – this truly was a time to network and of self promotion, something I haven’t done in a long time as a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom.

I’ll take some more of that, please.

“Blogging with Social Responsibility” turned out to be my favorite of the workshops. “Professionalism and Ethics in Blogging” the least helpful.

What else?

I wonder if Maureen Johnson is as funny in her books as she was in her keynote speech. Going to have to read her to find out.

How silly of me to be apprehensive of traveling into the City. We – my husband decided to come with me – drove in to Weehawken to take the ferry over to 39th Street, then a short walk to the Jacob Javits Center. So easy! So pleasant!

My only quibble with the entire day happened at the end. There was a thanks to the organizers and we gave a standing ovation to one of the bloggers instrumental in organizing the conference. Then it was over rather quickly and it felt . . . anticlimactic. I would have liked to have seen an Open Mic session for five minutes or so.

Overall, a fabulous experience for the book blogger. Loved meeting People Who Get Me, enjoyed the sessions, and I’m inspired to keep blogging about books. (I may be writing more in the coming weeks about the conference as it sinks in and I feel a need to bounce ideas around.)

Uh- oh. Just got busted. Getting dragged back outside for Family Time. I think I’ll come back later with pictures.

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