YALC 2015 discussion

Is anyone going by themselves? I have a weekend ticket, and my daughter is coming with me on the Saturday. On Sunday I'll be there by myself, and I might even pop up on the Friday.

I haven't booked tickets yet, but when I do, I'll only do for the Saturday. I don't love that far away so I'll go and return the same day. However I'm going by myself. A little concerned if I can met up with more blogger peeps as I won't know what to do just by self.

Last year I did the Sat by myself, and then Sunday with my daughter. I'm shy, and get anxious, but I managed ok. There was plenty to do, and lots of people just milling around.

I'd love to say hi at some point. :)

Thanks. That really helps.

I'd love to meet you too. We have spoken on Twitter long enough.

I'm going with my friend and my parents

I haven't booked tickets yet. I don't really know anyone in the YA community. I'm pretty introverted, so I'm a little nervous about going. It's actually my birthday on the Wednesday before, so I'm wondering if I should go as a birthday present to myself to hopefully meet some new people with similar interests to my own.

Does anyone know what happens on each of the days? I'm wondering if I should book a single day or all three?

Last year there was a timetable published, with the talks and book signings for each day. I'm sure that will come closer to the time.

I'd encourage anyone to give it a go - I'm really introverted and shy 'offline' but I had a great time.

Maybe YALC can create a little 'meet up' area, for people on their own who want others to talk to?

Last year there was an area with bean bags etc, so it was a nice place to head for if you were on your own / meeting someone etc. I've spoken to the organisers, and they are definitely doing something similar.

Dani, I'm up for it, if you are. I'm quite shy too. Plus I pop in and out of the YA blogging community so I'm not sure if anyone would like to hang out or even meet me. I'm not on social media often but I'd love to meet new people and perhaps even visit stands with them.
Michelle - That's a great idea. I still haven't bought tickets but I desperately want to go.

I don't really consider myself a big part of the community. I'd be happy to meet up with you both. Us shy people can stick together. :)

Yay!, It's a date then ;-)

I met a whole load of new people last year, though it helped to have someone to look out for when I arrived - the beanbag corner was perfect for everyone feeling a bit overwhelmed with the crowds outside. The YALC entrance will be brilliant for that. I tried to go through the main doors and then had to find somewhere else as everyone kept trying to stand on me. But all the YALC people were lovely and we all just hung out together. There's really not a huge barrier between authors and bloggers and readers in UKYA. We're all book people first and foremost. I'm bouncy but friendly. I don't know what my Saturday outfit will be but I will be easy to spot (perhaps with wings). :)

I'll also post on here what sort of t shirt I'll be wearing. :)

I'll also post on here what sort of t shirt I'll be wearing. :)

Thanks, Alexia! Do a lot of people dress up? That sounds like fun! I'll have to think about what I'll wear...

I can get really overwhelmed in crowds, but it'll definitely help if I have someone to spot. And the beanbags sound like fun. :)

I'm hoping to pop up on Friday, then on Sat I'm bringing my daughter (she's 16, and very shy). I might be meeting a friend and her daughters, but I have a feeling she'll decide against. Then on Sun I'm going back up by myself.

If I go, I'll go on Saturday. I'm not dressing up as I'm too shy. But I'll post what I'll be wearing here so people can say hi.

Last year fewer of the YALC people dressed up - mostly I think because authors weren't sure what was expected of them - but Malorie dressed up AND spoken in Klingon to introduce YALC so we all figure everything and anything's fair game. I am definitely cosplaying and Mel and Lucy will definitely be doing it too. I think there will be a high proportion this year. Literary clothing (T-shirts, book-print 'normal' clothing) was big last year and will be bigger this year. But there will be lots of people doing everything so I think it's what you prefer and feel most comfortable in. Be warned it's likely to be pretty hot even if the weather isn't! :)

It may be better this year Lexi, as it's a different venue.

I expect it won't be quite as boiling but it'll probably still be hot just because lots of people (even if not crowded will still be lots) + one space. Last year was practically tropical and I don't expect it to be like that, though actually I loved the heat. :)

I'll be fun to watch people dressed up. But I don't think I will. I can't bear heat so I'll play it cool.

I'll be along Saturday and Sunday, and I have a couple of 'waiting in line buddies' found through Twitter, but would be more than happy to meet up or hang out with people through the day(s).

Hey all :-) I'm going to YALC also. I'm technically going with my sister, but she wants to go to Comic Con mainly and I want to go to YALC mainly so we've decided to arrive together but split up during the day. So I'll be on my own too.

I was hoping to use this event as a chance to talk to more readers, and I too am quite shy and whatnot so I would love to meet up with some of you, if you're interested.

I'm going to all three days of the event

I'm really pleased with the responses. Nearer the time, we can maybe make a general meet time, but also feel free to arrange a meet with individuals etc.

My friend has backed out, so it'll be just me all weekend, with my daughter (who's very shy!) on the Saturday. So I'll be very happy to meet up with anyone

I'm still waiting on the timetable before I decide if I go with just Saturday or all weekend...

I don't do much for myself, or socialise much, so I decided to make a full weekend of it. I'll look at the timetable for Friday, but I am off work, so I might just wander up while it's quieter, and see a few of the publishers etc :)

I think the nice thing is, if anyone is feeling a bit unsure, it looks like there will be other people feeling the same to go talk to etc :)

For those who haven't bought tickets yet(like me), YALC just announced on Twitter that the Saturday tickets have been sold out. They will be making some other arrangements soon.

NOOOOOOO

Does this mean the weekend packages are gone too?

They just said they're still available.

I know it doesn't help if you're waiting for the schedule, but there are now more Saturday tickets available

We should hopefully be getting a programme by the end of May :)

Michelle wrote: "Is anyone going by themselves? I have a weekend ticket, and my daughter is coming with me on the Saturday. On Sunday I'll be there by myself, and I might even pop up on the Friday."

Michelle wrote: "Is anyone going by themselves? I have a weekend ticket, and my daughter is coming with me on the Saturday. On Sunday I'll be there by myself, and I might even pop up on the Friday."

I am going alone to the whole event. I love books that much and have friends are are book fans, just not of YA fiction like myself. I wouldn't mind meeting other readers at YALC as I'm going to feel like a right oldie there! lol ;-)

Feel free to come and drop my my book stall for a chat! I'm there the whole weekend. As well as my own books, I'll also have the girls who are organising the 'blind book swap' with me :)

Were you there last year?

Michelle wrote: "Were you there last year?"

Yes - I launched my book 'Dystopia' at last year's YALC :)

I think I remember the stall. I'll come and say hi.

I've just officially booked the 17th off from work. I may have found someone to bring with, but she's more interested in checking out the manga area, so I'll still probably spend quite a bit of time wandering on my own, watching my money leave my bank account.

Hi all, just wanted to pop in and say I will be wandering around on my own on the Friday and then there with a friend on the Saturday and Sunday. With you all on the introverted and shy front, but very excited to meet people too, so if anyone wants to meet up just let me know :)
I wasn't able to make it last year, but I've heard so many awesome things about it that I can't wait for this year!

Hi everyone! I'll be hanging around all three days by myself. I'm actually coming all the way from Australia so I don't know anyone at all!

Ely, that's just brave! Do you know anyone in the UK in general? I'm guessing you're not coming from the other side of the planet for just three days, so what else have you got planned?

Luckily, I have heaps of family that live all around the UK but they're all either quite a bit older or quite a bit younger than me. I'm working on converting my little cousin to being a reader :) I'm actually studying abroad in Denmark for the semester, but that doesn't start until September so I thought I'd do the UK first.

Looking forward to saying hi :)

I'm arriving in london on the 18 and YALC the next day :D!!! i'm going with my uncle but he's not very much into this stuff..anyone going on sunday??

I should be around all weekend - it's like a little holiday for me! lol

I'm still trying to decide on the Sunday. Definitely going on the Friday.

I'll be around all weekend too!

I'm only going to be there on the Saturday and Sunday, but I'll mostly be wandering around by myself, I think. My mum and brother (who I'm going down to London with) are going to the film and comic con side of the event and I've went with YALC specific tickets to get the most out of the book zone. I'm looking forward to meeting other bloggers as well as the authors who will be there.

So far I'm working out arrangements for meeting an author friend of mine at the event, a fellow blogger, and a writer friend. I'd love to meet up with some more like-minded folks!

Also, I'm a pretty introverted person too. Until recently I was on medication for my social anxiety but I'm improving greatly and after the initial hellos I'm usually very friendly - it helps when talking about things I love, like books!

I'm going on the Friday and Saturday by myself :)

It's good to know that a) there's quite a few people going by themselves and b) quite a few are introverted and/or anxious. :)
Hopefully we can all find people to chat to during the weekend :)