BookExpo America/Writer's Digest Books Writers Conference...

Contrary to what some of you who were fooled by the Publishers Weekly April Fool's Day piece might think (you know who you are), BookExpo America is being held as planned at the Javits Center in New York May 28-31.

The coolest BEA event is happening before the show gets started, however. It's the BookExpo America/Writer's Digest Books Writer's Conference which takes place Wednesday May 27 (which is also my brother's birthday. Jim, if I forget to call you this is my excuse.)

What so cool about it? Speakers include Karin Slaughter, Donald Maass, Christina Katz, and a host of WD authors and editors (myself included). Plus there will be 66 (!) agents on hand for an exciting afternoon Pitch Slam (also known as Chuck Sambuchino's Lawn and Garden Scotch Fest. We won't actually be serving Scotch but it's an idea I am in favor of).

Agent Janet Reid said on Twitter: "I found one of my biggest juiciest projects at this conference last year. Damn straight I'll be back in 09!" So if you have a big juicy project our event might be a good place for you. There will be plenty of agents who handle children's material on hand including Michelle Andelman, Michael Bourret, Andrea Brown, Debbie Carter, Vivian Chum, Rachel Downes, Jennie Dunham, Stephany Evans, Mollie Glick, Jenny Rappaport, Jessica Regel, Elana Roth, Michael Stearns (who said in this space "the only things that should be pitched are baseballs"), Gretchen Stelter, Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, Jennifer Weltz, Tina Wexler, and Christine Witthohn.

If you can't make it you'll have the opportunity to vicariously enjoy the event through blogs and Twitter. (More details on that closer to the conference).