The time it was like speed dating

I heard about the Summer of YA event on accident. I was scrolling through the events list on the BN website and just happened to see that Elizabeth Ross was having another signing. And when I clicked on the link to learn more about the event, it was a huge listing.

I ended up requesting the tickets, but wasn't sure if I was actually going to make it. 

On the day of the event, traffic was a nightmare and we got there around 1:40, with the event starting at 2. I checked in and got my wristband before I briefly ran into Thuy and Nicole. 

 

On my quest to get the books I needed, I ran into Jessica Brody and then saw Gretchen McNeil. After I purchased my books, I went to hover around by the start of the event area. 

 

It was announced that the wristband color coordinated with the balloon color of the table each person was assigned too. The groups of people would be staying at the table, the authors would be rotating around from table to table. 

While waiting for the event to start, I saw Lita and Colleen who work at the BN at The Grove. I started hearing that they event people changed their minds and the people would be the movers, instead of the authors. And then I finally met Alethea!

The event started around 2:20. Everyone was told to go over to the table that matched their wristband. First up was Sarah Skilton and Elizabeth Ross

 

Each author gave a brief synopsis of their book and then opened it up for everyone. I gave Elizabeth my copy of Belle Epoque and we started a conversation about Paris. 

 

 

I stood off to the side for a bit, trying to behave and follow the directions of not moving tables until told to. Buuuuuut, I couldn't do it. I took off my wristband and went over to the only other table I was looking for: Stacey Jay and Gretchen McNeil. 

They each had someone talking to them and they all left at the same time. I made the joke that I had them all to myself. 

I started telling Stacey about how I was trying to stalk her [Me to Gretchen: I don't want your input on this. Gretchen: I will just look over there.] at ALA for an arc of Romeo Redeemed and how Ava ended up getting it for me.  And she said, "You're the other Stacee!" I said that I was and she stood up to high five me. 

We briefly talked about her new book and how excited she was for it. Then people who followed the rules started coming over. 

 

 

I stepped over to Gretchen and we started talking about her two weeks off from revisions and topics for the upcoming non-sanctioned SCBWI panel she is planning. All I have to say about Gretchen is that if you haven't met her or read her books, you need to get on it. She is absolutely one of my favorite people. 

After a few minutes, there were even more people for both ladies, so I quickly said my goodbyes. I ended up leaving after that. 

 

Overall, it was a clever idea and the execution of it worked for the amount of authors and attendees. I really liked the approach to the speed dating and hope that there will be other events like it!

The time my friends got all the signatures for me

As I've said before, living in SoCal definitely has perks.  And more often than not, authors will get to the west coast eventually.  Not always San Diego, but at least LA. In the case of all of the below signed books, I wasn't able to get to the author, so my awesome friends got things signed for me.

Jennifer had told me that she was going to a huge YA author event at Powell's and asked if I wanted anything.  I skimmed over the authors who were going to be there and told her no.  I didn't immediately recognize any of the names and at the time, I was far too lazy to look into it.

A week or so later, I picked up Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky.  I loved the book, so I immediately went to her website to see if there were any upcoming tour dates and wouldn't you know it, she was going to be at the Powell's event!

I contacted Jennifer about it and sent her my book...

I had planned on seeing Josie Angelini for her release party of Dreamless.  Ava and I had made serious plans as to how the entire day was going to play out.  Unfortunately, it was being held on the same day that my work was reopening after relocating and everyone had to work.  Luckily, Ava assured me that she would still get a copy for me...

When Richelle Mead toured for Golden Lily, she was going to be at the Santa Monica B&N.  I had talked to the ever so awesome events manager, Shane, about it and he was willing to set aside a wristband for me so I didn't have to show up so early.  I've never read any of the Vampire Academy books, but I was interested in getting the signature for my collection.  However, it just didn't work out.  My friend, Colleen, saw me complaining talking about it on Twitter and offered to get me a copy of something when Richelle was in Seattle....

I feel that by now, everyone knows about the ongoing "fight" Kassiah and I have over Étienne St. Clair.  So.  After reading Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris, I quickly called dibs on Ben.  And then proceeded to fight Kassiah and Caitlin for him.  I won.

Elizabeth used to live in San Diego, like me.  Now she's on the east coast.  When Kassiah told me she was ditching me at ALA going to BEA, I found out that Elizabeth was going to be there and shipped my copy of Unraveling to her.  Along with a note telling Kassiah something along the lines of how she better not ask for Ben, unless it's on my behalf. 

And it's one of the best inscriptions.  Even if the "Ben" is a little messy....

[Now I've learned that Elizabeth is going to be in San Diego in November.  I'm so excited that I'll probably get another book to have Ben signed to me again.  You know, for back up.]

I bought tickets to see Deborah Harkness at at local book store when she tours for Shadow of Night.  Problem is, the tour stop is during Comic-Con.  I figured that if I could get an ARC of Shadow of Night before ALA, then I could have Deborah sign it there and not have to leave CC early to see her tour stop.  I asked everyone I knew if they could get their hands on an ARC for me, all to no avail.

The lovely Kassiah also got me the hardcover [!!!] copy while at BEA.  And after all of her hard work [not to mention, she rearranged her entire schedule for me to get it], I'm still going to go to the tour stop to hear Deborah talk about the series. 

Right before ALA, Stacey Jay had tweeted that while she wasn't doing an official signing, she would have copies of Romeo Redeemed and the first four librarians who came up to her and asked for a copy would get one.  I answered her and told her that I wasn't an librarian, but that I'd love to meet her and I'd be on the lookout.  She answered that if I saw her, I should definitely ask about the book because maybe she'd have one left and I could have it.

A day or so before the Friday of ALA, Stacey tweeted the dress that she was going to be wearing and we had a conversation about how between her dress and her "Dana Scully hair", I was going to hunt her down.  Unfortunately, I didn't see her. 

Fast forward to the YA coffee event/mixer that was held at ALA on Sunday morning.  I was not in attendance, Stacey Jay was.  So was Ava.  Somehow, Ava mentioned to Stacey how I had been looking for her.  Stacey's answer was something along the lines of, "the Stacee who says she's going to stalk me?"

When Ava confirmed that I was the same person, Stacey pulled out a copy of Romeo Redeemed, signed it and handed it to Ava...

Everyone in RL tells me that Twitter is the devil.  Without it, I would have never met these lovely people who have not only helped me get some great signed books, but have become excellent friends.



The time Linda from Mysterious Galaxy was extra awesome.

So.  A few weeks ago, Stacey Jay was tweeting back and forth with Mysterious Galaxy about her upcoming visit to San Diego and how she wanted to come into the store and sign their back stock.  Seeing that I follow both, I was privy to the entire conversation and I eagerly jumped in, first asking Stacey if she would sign my copy of Juliet Immortal that I dropped off and then asking MG if they would let me drop a book off.

Stacey answered and agreed right away. She gave me a vague time frame of when she'd be in town, as her plans hadn't been finalized.  The next day, after not hearing back from MG on Twitter, I emailed the store asking the same question.  In the responding email, I was told that if I purchased the book in the store, it would have been already signed, and further more, the person sending the email knew nothing of the signing. 

I responded to the person [who didn't sign off with a name, just the MG signature that automatically goes on every email] that it wasn't an "official" signing, but Stacey just dropping in.  I added that I got the information from their Twitter account.  I thanked Anonymous for getting back to me and just figured that I would have to wait for Stacey to tour for her next book.

Enter Linda.

She responded to my email saying that she was looking into the conversation with Stacey on Twitter and would let me know what was going on.  Needless to say, Linda confirmed that Stacey was planning on coming in and that I absolutely could drop off my book for her to sign.

Flash forward to today, I got an email from Linda telling me that my book was signed and all ready to be picked up.  Of course, I went down there immediately after work.

As if I couldn't love MG more...