by Nell Cross Beckerman

What is ALA? Who gets to go to ALA? How can I go to ALA? Will my publisher pay for me to go to ALA? What is it like going to ALA? WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH ALA??

Perhaps these questions have been floating in your head for years, easy to ignore or not contemplate for too long. That’s what it’s been like for me. But this year, as the American Library Association (ALA) held its annual conference in San Diego last month, it was impossible for me to ignore the giddy updates and photos flooding my socials with friends who were SO EXCITED TO BE AT ALA!!!! Because I was there, too.

As a traditionally published picture book author who debuted in 2020, I’m happy to share my recap of how I got to go to the conference, along with some insider tips to help demystify attending ALA Annual.

Am I Going?!

The first thing to know (TIP #1) is that the ALA Annual Conference is planned years in advance and circulates amongst various U.S. cities. TIP #2: You should plan early, too. Join the ALA’s mailing list for updates. Also consider the “midwinter” conference, which is smaller but may be more convenient for you to attend.

When I realized that ALA Annual would be in nearby San Diego this year, and I had two picture books coming out close to the date, it felt like this would be the year to make a play to go. If I had been super organized, I would have teamed up with other authors and/or librarians to submit a conference proposal. TIP #3: That submission window opens in August and closes in September, so this is the perfect time to propose a presentation for next year. 

Instead, I reached out to the two publishers, Scholastic and Abrams, in early January, wishing them a happy holiday and asking about the possibility of attending ALA Annual. Both my editors said they would submit requests to their ALA teams on my behalf, but that I probably would not hear until later in the spring. TIP #4: From talking with other friends, it seems to be common to not know until pretty close to the conference date if you will have a signing or not, due to the fact that the publishers have so many pieces to juggle. It is also common that, if you get a booth signing, your publisher often pays for your registration fee.

I waited patiently while also (TIP #5) regularly updating both editors on my progress in plans to promote my books with bookstore events, school visits, etc. As the date approached, and I had heard nothing from my publishers, I realized that it was unlikely that my publishers were planning on sending me to ALA all expenses paid. But rather than sit on the sidelines, watching the conference play out on Instagram, I wondered if I could still go?

After checking the prices on the ALA website, I learned that I could (TIP #6) register for an “exhibitions only” pass for $139 that would cover all three days of the conference and would allow me access to discounted conference hotel rates.

Should I do it? I decided to go.

I’m Going!

Switching my frame of mind from “Will my publisher let me go?” to “I’m going!” was a big turning point mentally. I decided to embrace the conference with a schedule I could guarantee: meeting up with author friends, going to signings, and visiting publishers’ booths in the exhibition hall. If other opportunities came along, great, but I wasn’t going to keep waiting for them!

My next step was to inform my publishers that I was going. I emailed: “I’ll be at ALA and would love to know if there is a possibility of a booth signing or any other opportunities that would be right for me while I’m there!”

This was at the end of April. After more emails to follow over the next six weeks—including with another of my publishers, Beach Lane Books, and my agency, Erin Murphy Literary Agency (EMLA)—I was thrilled to see a full agenda unfold! It included: a signing at the Scholastic booth, a book on display in the Abrams booth, a publisher’s anniversary party, a publisher’s “family” dinner, an agency breakfast buffet, a publisher’s “dessert party,” and (thanks to a lucky raffle win) a seat at the agency table for the Caldecott-Newberry-Legacy Award Banquet (along with a publisher’s pre-banquet cocktail party).

Finally, on June 28, I landed at the conference and it was everything I could have hoped for and more. I gathered with author friends I had never met in person, met authors whom I had only admired from afar, sat in on fascinating (TIP #7) panels from librarians to learn the depth of their work in supporting kindergarten readiness, celebrated the life and work of the devastatingly departed author Katey Howes at a panel she helped organize, attended the glamorous and heartfelt awards banquet, collected a stack of free books signed by the authors, and—the biggest highlight of all—had my ultimate author hero, Kate Messner, stand in line at my VOLCANOES signing!?!?

I Went! And I Hope You’ll Go, Too!

While my ALA Annual conference experience may differ from others, my hope is that (TIP #8) rather than feeling like you have to wait to be invited or be a librarian, you now know that for a $139 early bird exhibition pass and your travel fees, you can access ALA Annual and experience the community at the conference. I always felt intimidated by and curious about the conference. Now, I am so proud of myself for taking the plunge to go.

TIP #9: Even if you don’t have a book out yet, there are lots of opportunities to soak in the children’s book community, from going to the author signings to purchasing a ticket for the banquet (if you find nine friends to go with, you can reserve a table together at no additional cost; check the website for details). Your local SCBWI chapter might have a get-together (if not, plan one!), and groups like the 12×12 Picture Book Challenge group, PB Rising Stars, and others have meet-ups so you don’t have to feel alone. Everyone wants to meet other people, and the energy is contagious. Last-minute party invites happen, too, to those who are there—one friend was offered a free seat at the banquet the day before it happened!

Just one note—TIP #10—do not expect to pitch your book to editors in the publishing booths. They are there to focus on connecting with librarians, and they will not be in the right frame of mind to listen to your pitch, as wonderful as it may be. If that is the only reason you would consider going, save your time and money and find a conference (and/or retreat) that allows authors to pitch editors. SCBWI offers many, including the annual Summer and Winter Conferences. And the SCBWI-L.A. Writers Day, SCBWI CenCal Writers and Illustrators Day, SCBWI SoCal Fall Harvest Conference—and these regions’ retreats—are great ones that are all also in the neighborhood!

Hopefully, ALA Annual will return to California sooner rather than later, and we can all hop in our cars to meet up there! Meanwhile, if you see me at one of our regional SCBWI events, please say hello! And always, remember to (BONUS TIP) celebrate the books!

---

For more fantastic content, community, events, and other professional development opportunities, become a member today! Not sure if there is a chapter in your area? Check here.

Nell Cross Beckerman is an SCBWI member and the author of lyrical nature books WHEN THE SKY GLOWS, DOWN UNDER THE PIER, and CAVES. She lives in Culver City, where a local hiking path inspired FROM PARK TO PLAYA: THE TRAILS THAT CONNECT US. Her VOLCANOES Zoom launch party (with prizes/giveaways!) happens on August 6, and you are invited. 

Photos provided by Nell Cross Beckerman