Tina Fey & Jason Bateman Are Set to Appear At BookCon

It has just been announced that ReedPOP plans on kicking off their latest pop culture convention, BookCon, with a special hour-long panel and sneak peek of the upcoming film adaptation of Jonathan Tropper’s bestselling book, This Is Where I Leave You with Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, director Shawn Levy, and Tropper, who also wrote the screenplay, all attending. The panel will be moderated by Entertainment Weekly’s Anthony Breznican and will take place on the eve of BookCon, May 30th at 4pm at the Special Events Hall in the Javits Center.

The panel will be followed by an “exclusive” two-hour Happy Hour to celebrate the debut of BookCon which will allow authors and attendees to mingle aka the ultimate photo opp for every fan who attends. I don’t understand the point of hosting ONE panel on the day before BookCon. If this is supposed to be their version of San Diego Comic Con’s Preview Night and is meant to become an annual thing, it’s weak. If this panel and happy hour really is just something to have to kick off the first ever BookCon, okay. Otherwise, this seems a little odd to me.

A limited number of tickets for the BookCon kickoff event will be available for all those who purchase BookCon and BEA tickets for an additional $10. ReedPOP will also offer tickets as part of a VIP package that will include special artwork, a signed copy of This Is Where I Leave You, First Access to seating, access to BookCon on Saturday, and more.

Why not make the eve of BookCon its own preview night that attendees can register for separately and for a limited time, making the happy hour included in that registration? I don’t know about you but trekking to the Javits Center for ONE one hour panel the day before BookCon if you’re not attending the happy hour seems a bit much. Especially if you’re in the back of the panel and can’t even see the panelists. Mine as well wait until the panel hits YouTube, am I right? Anyway, this stood out in the press release:

By bridging the world of film and literature, the panel is a prime example of the mission for this consumer event and will usher in more exciting events and panels soon to be announced.

So there we have it. BookCon’s goal is to feature book to movie adaptations. That’s great to hear, especially since this convention is open to the public. I’m sure there will be plenty to look forward to for attendees. At least after the kick off event. I still don’t understand why BEA’s Power Reader Day couldn’t have been reworked for this purpose but if you do attend BookCon, you can expect to see Amy Poehler, Martin Short, John Grisham, R.L. Stine, Stan Lee, Cary Elwes, Cassandra Clare, and Maggie Stiefvater to name a few! So if you’re not able to attend BEA, I’d look into BookCon some more. If you are attending BEA, I’d say just stick with BEA for now.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit TheBookCon.com.

This is Where I Leave You opens in theaters September 12, 2014.