Jen Lancaster will be in NYC tonight and I had grand plans to attend but just learned my presence is required elsewhere (per my boss). Suffice to say I’m none too happy about this last minute turn of events.
Though an avid reader, I’ve only ever gone to three book readings and/or signings. Maybe I’m afraid that my inner-nutcase will shine through and I’ll get wild-eyed and start fawning in the presence of literary greatness.
As a child, I think I met Judy Blume at a “Young Writers” conference. I have a hazy memory of this and Blume is from New Jersey, which strengthens my case.
A few summers ago, before her meteoric rise to stardom, Jodi Picoult came to my local library and though I hadn’t read any of her novels, I went to check her out. She was a charismatic speaker, erudite and self-deprecating, and made writing seem like something any of us could do. I didn’t own any of her books but ended up buying Plain Truth and having her sign it.
The other reading I went to was at my local Barnes & Noble. Megan McCafferty, author of the Jessica Darling series, paid homage to her old stomping grounds at my B&N. Megan was so entertaining and thankfully I didn’t make a fool of myself when speaking with her. In my book, that counts as a success. I was sorry to miss Megan’s most recent book tour for the final Jessica Darling book–I was driving home from Florida when she had a signing in Princeton.
Do you go to many readings or signings? Who were some of the most memorable authors you’ve seen or heard? Have you ever made a fool of yourself while chatting with an author (or is that just my own special talent)?
Book, Line, and Sinker 