Dotti: ARC Predator

A couple of weeks ago Vicki Sansum and I attended the American Library Association Midwinter Conference. I had a (successful!) signing, and since it was in Dallas, we drove up.

I love these conferences. They’re sort of like flea markets. I stroll the aisles, browsing and chatting with industry professionals. But first...I grabbed some complimentary totebags and race through the crowds, snatching up *ARCs.

If a book cover looks cool, in the bag it goes. But it only takes a couple of aisles before those totebags start feeling like body bags. And with no wheelies allowed, it’s a struggle. 

Me heaving ARCs

So now there's a need to be selective. “Hmmm,” I say to Vicki as I peruse the cover blurb. “This looks (cute, funny, intense) good.” In the tote it goes.

Luckily, conference organizers are brilliant. For a small fee, you can check your bags at the coat check. That frees you to amass more books.

So I drive home, transporting a trunkful of treasures.

Then the fun begins. I sort.

How did I manage to pick up so many adult titles? I rarely read adult lit.

Did I honestly think I’d read all these midgrades and YAs? Nope. Too busy hoarding to rationalize.

Since they’re all great books (whether they suit my taste or not), some get donated to the SCBWI HoustonConference for giveaways.

Those bags of ARCs have now dwindled to a small stack of TBR. And why bother posting this? To remind myself to behave when I attend TLA in April.  :) 

* Advanced Reader Copies, or as I refer to them, a glimpse into the future.