BookExpo America 2007, the nation's largest publishing convention, kicks off at the Javits Center today. One of this year's major convention sponsors will be, of all things, MySpace. The social networking ubernetwork, which recently launched MySpace Books, will be hosting a panel on networking and surviving as a supporting sponsor. BookExpo America already has an officially-sanctioned MySpace group with over 300 members. However, MySpace will not be the only social networking site with a presence at BEA. The quasi-Amazon affiliated Last.FM-inspired site Shelfari will be making its industry premiere at the convention as well.

Scheduled speakers on BEA panels include Joyce Carol Oates, Valerie Plame, Francine Prose and — oh, God — Christopher Hitchens.

Speaking of which, mediabistro.com is throwing a BookExpo publishing party — hosted by GalleyCat bloggers Ron Hogan and Sarah Weinman and white-hot author Dana Vachon — tonight:

INVITATION mediabistro.com's GalleyCat Publishing Party

What: drinks + conversation

Who: about 100 book industry professionals (all types!)

Why: to bring about greater community among media professionals (and because it's fun!)

When:
Thursday, May 31st
6:30 to 8:30 PM

Hosted by mediabistro.com's Galleycat bloggers Ron Hogan and Sarah Weinman, and author of Mergers & Acquisitions, Dana Vachon.

Food/Drink: Cash bar, but the first round is on us!
RSVPs ARE REQUIRED.