So we’re just a week away from YALC and I thought it was high time I shared my tips with you! You can find my tips from 2016 and 2017, however here is an updated list of tips for 2018 for you. YALC is the Young Adult Literary Convention held in London each year. It’s full of bookish fun and here is my guide to make sure you know exactly what to expect.

Before I start with the tips I just want to say something. Don’t be afraid of YALC. In the past there were some pretty daunting ways of getting ARCS, from having to run across the whole floor, to having to wiggle on the floor like a worm. They aren’t doing this this year. We’ve all been so vocal about how it was hard for those with accessibility issues that YALC have listened and things are going to be different this year. However, I feel terrible that our vocality has now made others worried about going.

The publishers have all been briefed about the issues from last year and have made plans. Most will be doing a raffle system rather than on a first come basis 🙂

— YALC (@yalc_uk) July 13, 2018

So please trust me when I say, it’s going to be super fun. There’s lots of us there, we’re all friendly and fun. Don’t be scared and just make sure you have fun!

YALC Tips 2018

So now on to the tips! These aren’t exhaustive but they’re some of the important ones.

1. Bring bags with wheels, because no matter what you say you will buy ALL OF THE BOOKS (or get given them for FREEEE). I actually really really believe I’m going to cut down this year. Which brings me to my second point
2. Only pick up what you’ll actually read. Okay so when you’re in the midst of it it’s so easy to get swept up in the excitement of it all. But trust me, ending up with so many proofs that you don’t even want to read is more of a burden than anything. And if nothing else, you having a proof of a contemporary book which you’ll never read because you hate contemporary, just means someone else who’d love it didn’t get it.
3. Plan what you want and have a list. This feeds on from the last point. If you have an idea of what’s there you can make the decision on whether you’ll actually read it in advance so won’t get taken in the moment. Last year I found a list by Jim (yayeahyeah) which was a godsend. This year a few of us SundayYAers are putting together a list which we’ll share with you all once it’s complete!
4. Bring food and water. The cafe is SUPER expensive and the days are long, you need to stay hydrated! There’s a Tesco Extra across the road from the YALC entrance so it’s a good idea to pop in there.
5. Find out what you’re queuing for. The British love to queue, and YALC is no exception. Wherever there was a queue for more than a few people, others just joined in on the off chance, so make sure it’s actually for something and not just a group of friends having a chat! (This legit has happened so really make sure you double check!)

6. Follow all the publishers stalls on twitter and turn notifications on. Things are changing this year but they’re bound to keep us updated on Twitter. I have a LIST HERE of publishers, I may have missed a few or added extra but it’s pretty comprehensive. So go through the list and turn notifications on and you’re golden (only turn them on when YALC starts though!

7. Bring a portable mobile phone charger YALC days are long and you’re on Twitter a lot and taking pictures – make sure you have back up power!

8. BE BRAVE! Authors LOVE their fans. See an author wandering about? Pluck up the courage to say hi!

9. Bring a few books with you that you want signed – I ended up buying duplicates of books I had so I could get the authors to sign them!

10. Take the freebies! Don’t be shy, they’re there to get taken!

11. Network make sure you chat to the publishers and those working the stalls. Last year I made some great connections who really helped me get my blog off the ground. Be friendly and introduce yourself. They quite often know you from Twitter so it’s definitely worth saying hi!

12. On Sunday there are giveaways ALL THE TIME and everything is either drastically reduced or given away for free so keep an eye out!

13. Explore LFCC! You never know what you may see.

14. Make friends! A few of us will be meeting up during the day, I’ll be tweeting when these happen so keep an eye out and definitely come and say hi if you see me!

and

15. HAVE AN AMAZING TIME!

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