BookCon 2015: The Can’t-Miss List!

BookCon is almost upon us! This is only the second year of the convention’s existence and the first year that the event will last for two days. Last year, BookCon was tacked on to the last day of Book Expo America (a trade show for publishers, booksellers, writers, etc.), and it was such a success that this year it has branched out into a full-weekend extravaganza of its own!

No one knows quite what to expect from this year’s event since it’s never happened in this format before, but one thing’s for sure – it’s going to be a weekend jam-packed with awesome stuff for book-loving nerds. Here’s a few of BookCon’s most anticipated goings-on:

John Green Talks Paper Towns

How could an appearance by John Green ever not be first on our list? He’ll be appearing at BookCon on Saturday to promote the film adaptation of his novel Paper Towns and will be accompanied by a whole load of special guests – screenwriter Michael H. Weber, composer Ryan Lott, and cast members Nat Wolff and Justice Smith.

This is going to be a can’t-miss event for John Green fans (especially because he isn’t making any other appearances at the convention), but even though the panel itself isn’t until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, you’ll want to plan on securing your place in the Special Events Hall being one of the first things you do – be sure to get your wristband as soon as you arrive at the Javits Center!

Beloved Authors Galore!

But John Green isn’t the only writer you’re going to be clamoring to see at BookCon! Unsurprisingly, they’ve got a stellar line-up of some of the most beloved names in YA fandom. Here are just a few:

• Rainbow Rowell: She’s got two events on Saturday to promote her upcoming book Carry On – a panel and a signing!
• Gayle Forman: This author is teaming up with fellow YA powerhouse Sarah Dessen for an autographing session and a panel about BFFs in YA literature.
• Judy Blume: Um. It’s Judy Blume. What else is there to say?
• Lev Grossman: Always a favorite with the Potter crowd, Lev Grossman is attending BookCon to promote last year’s The Magician’s Land – and maybe give us some hints about the upcoming television adaptation of The Magicians?!
• …and approximately 100x others. Check out the full guest list here!

The Nightvale Book

Welcome to Nightvale is the most popular podcast that ever lived! The novelization of the popular show was announced in 2013 and (after a long wait) will be released later this year. A BookCon panel will feature Cecil Baldwin, the podcast’s narrator, and show creators Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor. BookCon will be one of the only places to get a sneak-peek at the book, due out in October, so you won’t want to miss it!

Everyone from TV

Okay, so this is a *book* convention, but there are so many celebrities on BookCon’s lineup that it’s easy to forget we’re not going to Paley Fest. B.J. Novak, Mindy Kaling, Nick Offerman, David Duchovny, and Jason Segel are just a few of the big names making appearances over the weekend. You may know them from your favorite TV shows, but did you know that…

• Jason Segel co-wrote a middle-grade book? Book(s), actually – he’ll be at BookCon promoting the second installment of his Nightmares series.
• Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak are writing a book together? Lots is sure to be revealed about it in their 11:00 a.m. panel on Saturday!
• Funny folks Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, John Hodgman, and Judah Friedlander have all written their own books. AND they’ll all be at BookCon to talk about them!

Personally, I don’t know how I feel about my book and television worlds mixing at the same convention, but you’ve got to be impressed at their star power.

I could go on essentially forever about all of the awesome stuff that’s going to be happening at BookCon this year, so it might be more efficient if you just check out the full schedule.

If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet – there’s still time! Single-day passes for Saturday and Sunday are still available right here.