(Note: Drawing for ARC winners tomorrow!)
1. Got there bright and early. (9:30 on the dot) to meet editor (the cutie to my left) for breakfast.
2. Wandered around until editor showed up. parking in DC is so not fun.
3. Collected a few fun books, including the kind of “I almost died in the wilderness and this is how I got out” non-fic my mother goes gaga over.
4. Met Maria V. Snyder, author of Poison Study, and snagged two ARCs of the sequel, Magic Study (not to be confused with Justine Larbalestier’s Magic Lessons!) — one for me, one for Sailor Boy’s mom.
5. Had bagels with editor.
6. Considered stalking Barack Obama.
7. Walked around with editor. realized I am absolute novice when it comes to working floor of BEA convention hall. Kerri taught me the ropes, though. Seriously, my swag has increased exponentially.
8. Got ready for signing. Met a journalist from PW.
9. Hung out with debut author Simone Elkeles (How to Ruin a Summer Vacation, FLUX). Picture at right.
10. Signed books. Signed sooooooo many books. Obviously need to work on my signing hand. Still a bit sore. Met a lot of hometown booksellers from DC, which was great, a few people I know from online, and a lot of folks looking for a fun read for the plane ride home. Many people picked up a copy for their daughters, wives, or the bookseller at their store they thought would most enjoy the story. I even met a man (Barry Lyga, author
of the much touted upcoming Astonishing Adventures of Fan Boy and Goth Girl – and yes, robin, he said you sent him) whose friend was in the first female tap class of Skull & Bones. How cool is that? I heard a lot of “trials of travails of my daughter, who is applying for college.” I sympathize with those folks. Tough few years…
Also a lot of Ivy League representers, and even a woman who took two copies for the alumni reunion next week (I’ll be there). Here’s a picture (Simone took pictures of me signing!)
11. Stopped by the Ellora’s Cave booth one last time (they were already breaking it down) to chat with my old boss, Susan Edwards, who now works in publicity at EC. I do so love my Ellora’s Cavemen calendars. Great as gifts. (And once again, Kerri knows from the swag!)
12. Exhausted and totally weighed down, headed home to sleep and read the thousands of pages of books I collected.
May 22nd, 2006 at 8:24 am
Would it be too geekish and mother hen of me to say that my eyes teared up looking at the picture of the woman waiting patiently as you were signing her book? ::VBG::
Okay…I admit it!!! Maybe it’s just the cold medicine. Maybe it’s just…well, you know how damn proud I am of you!!!!
= )
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May 22nd, 2006 at 8:27 am
I’m glad you had such a good time!
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May 22nd, 2006 at 8:33 am
Sounds fab, Diana! You looked lovely–glowing and professional and absolutely approachable! Kerri looks like a doll too!
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May 22nd, 2006 at 8:44 am
all those books…and I STILL don’t have a freakin’ copy
*pout*
Glad you had a great time!
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May 22nd, 2006 at 9:51 am
Um, excuse me, but nobody looks that good at a convention. You’re supposed to be run down, haggard, with washed-out makeup and limp hair. Didn’t you read the rule book?
After all that angst over what to wear, you nailed it. Sorry to be so shallow (yeah, it’s great you met people, signed so many books, etc.), but you looked fabulous!
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May 22nd, 2006 at 9:53 am
You looked amazing! And your editor is just too pretty. She reminds me of one of my sorority sisters, so much so that I did a double take.
So glad you had such a great time!
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May 22nd, 2006 at 10:25 am
You look fabulous!
Your hair is sharp! I’m envious.
Oh, and congrats on having a great first signing.
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May 22nd, 2006 at 10:26 am
Jaci,
If you get another ARC over me…
it’s war!
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May 22nd, 2006 at 12:43 pm
*blows kisses at Heather*
You probably don’t want to know what ARC I’m getting this week
*grin*
But about SSG……
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May 22nd, 2006 at 12:44 pm
I loved BEA, too. I hated that I had to leave before I got to stand in line and get your autograph (and your book, of course). Guess I’ll quit wondering how it went since it sounds like it was FANTASTIC! What a first book signing–AT BEA!!!
Loved spending time with you,
Alfie
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May 22nd, 2006 at 1:57 pm
Hmmmm.
I searching for a name for my villian…
J.B. has a wickedly evil ring to it, don’t you think?
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May 22nd, 2006 at 2:34 pm
Dear Diana,
What is the image on your silver pendant? Seriously. I’m curious.
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May 22nd, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Why, Heather Dawn, that would be my Maggie Award, given to me in October of 2004 by the Georgia Romance Writers for winning their unpublished contest in the Short Contemporary Category.
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May 22nd, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Thanks Diana for sharing your adventures at the BEA.
I enjoyed reading them.
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May 22nd, 2006 at 4:07 pm
all those books…and I STILL don’t have a freakin’ copy
*pout*
Glad you had a great time!
I have two. AND I already have the ARC you’re getting this week. So nyah nyah nyah
I got to meet Diana yesterday and I have to say that she’s absolutely gorgeous and charming in person. I can’t wait to find some time to read Secret Society Girl!
Of course, if I had that third copy and a hoodie, I could still build that baby gate and use the hoodie as a curtain to decorate the gate made of ARCs (I have enough from BEA that I could probably build two baby gates, actually). *smirking at May*
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May 22nd, 2006 at 7:40 pm
Nice top!
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May 23rd, 2006 at 8:35 am
You talk so much here about fellow writers’ appearances and how beautiful they are. It’s apparent from your own pictures that you’re very attractive as well and that must certainly help when people come to get a book from you or the author, Gina, you mentioned. How much does this mean for a writer? Obviously your writing still has to be good, but what do us “Plain Jane” authors do to publicize ourselves more when we can’t fall back on natural beauty like so many of the people you mentioned here from BEA. Are looks a hindrance when trying to write in a certain genre? Do you advice writers who get bought to do a makeover, lose weight, get a tummy tuck to hide the three kids you’ve birthed? (ha!) It’s certainly something I fear since I’m anything but glamorous (my husband and kids think I am, of course.)
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May 23rd, 2006 at 9:03 am
Diana, sounds like you had a wonderful time! Congratulations on your first booksigning and the whole BEA experience — one day John Grisham will be standing between you and a Diana Peterfreund poster and blog about it!
Hope you’re now getting some well-deserved rest!
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May 24th, 2006 at 3:12 am
YAY Diana! It sounds lieke you truly rocked at BEA and all the info is making me anxious for Atlanta!
You looked so awesome and professionalsigning there!
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May 26th, 2006 at 7:25 pm
Thanks for sharing all the pics! How cute do you and your editor look? Sickeningly cute, my dear! Congrats on your first big gig and a wave to the lovely Simone!
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