BookExpo America (BEA) is the big book convention held in New York where authors, bloggers, and publishers get together and makes every book lover cry – either in joy (because they were able to attend and get to meet authors and get ARCs) or in sadness (because those who are unable to attend have prior engagements).
Since I get go to BEA, I’ve decided to take part in Armchair BEA, which is basically a virtual conference for people who cannot attend the actual convention. Let’s get this started, shall we?
TOPIC: Author Interaction
I’m not sure if this is most people, but I consider authors to be celebrities, of sorts (since they are the closest I’ll ever meet). When I meet them, I get totally tongue-tied. I feel most awkward when I can’t find the words to express how much I adore them and their writing. I want to say something witty and amazing for them to remember me, but words are hard sometimes!
Any time an author retweets or tweets at me, I jump for joy. It’s just a little thing, but I get excited because the authors are really reading my tweet! That means a lot to me.
I haven’t been to a lot of book events, but mannn, the ones I did go to were sooo much fun. I have so many favorite moments with each author I’ve seen, but I’ll share the memorable ones.
- Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) at Litquake
When I told him how adored A Series of Unfortunate Events and how it was my favorite series as a kid, he gave me a look and wrote, “Read something else.” THE BEST. (The message said it all! HAHAHA.) He is one of my writing heroes. He is frickin’ fabulous and quirky. I was sooo in shock after meeting him. I was actually shaking. My friend was afraid I was going to burst into tears.
- Sarah J. Maas
I agonized over what to say to her because I hadn’t been to a YA author event at all. And it turned out fine.
Sarah J. Maas is the sweetest and sooo relatable. When I told her I absolutely adore her joint fic with Susan Dennard, she told me I was one of the first person to tell her that since being on tour for Crown of Midnight. Eeeeeek. Also, I got her to sign Susan Dennard’s book because of reasons, and she was totally up for it.
BEST EVENT EVERRRR. I got out of my comfort zone and mingled with tonnnns of YA authors. Attendees got to play a scavenger hunt, where they were given questions and have to ask authors about which one is theirs. Kasie West took me under her wing (which basically meant that I hung out with her for the most part when I wasn’t busy asking the other authors’ questions).
Watching Rainbow Rowell and David Leviathan read/act out Fangirl and answer questions were the most amazinnnnng moments I’ve witnessed. They were so animated and adorable. I could listen to them all day.
I might’ve squealed when Rachel Hawkins remembered me as the person on Twitter who basically flailed her arms when Rachel mentioned Henry James. I love it when authors remember me. It makes me feel good.
I took my daughter to a book signing for Weird Al Yankovic, and she did cry after she met him! I don’t particularly like to meet authors, but it is interesting to contact them on their blogs or through twitter and hear more about their writing. Have fun with Armchair BEA!!
I’ve had so many wonderful author moments. There is nothing like my first time at IRA (the International Reading Association conference) when I saw authors everywhere I looked. Literally, everywhere I looked. It was amazing.
Enjoy Armchair BEA!
Can you feel the intense jealousy rolling off me? Lol. I mean SARAH J. MAAS AND RAINBOW ROWELL AND KASIE WEST. JEEZ CEE.
Authors will always be celebrities to me, I’ll stand in awe and be completely incoherent if I ever meet one of my favourites :’D
Also, what Daniel Handler said is PERFECT. I wish I could pull off such an attitude haha.
I don’t interact too much with authors but definitely a highlight had to be when Paola & I suggested to Jay Kristoff he should name the last Stormdancer book as Feelscrusher and he tweeted about it AHHHHH. Super awesome :’) I would want to meet all my favourites hehe which are too long to name and I’m lazy to soooo… IDK if it’ll ever happen but I’m patient haha (well sort of).
What fun author interaction memories!! I love attending author events because you really get to learn so much about the books and everything they put into it. I really would love to go to a Rainbow Rowell event… maybe she’ll come down here for Landline! ;)
There aren’t many author events where I live, but I did get to meet Holly Black and Sarah Rees Brennan last year. I kind of embarrassed myself though because I got just a little too excited >.< But they were really nice and so friendly! I want to go to more author events, but I'd have to travel a lot, which kinda sucks.
“Read something else”, hilarious!
I would LOVE to meet Sarah J. Maas! I love Throne of Glass and I can’t wait to read Crown of Midnight! I pretty much consider authors as celebrities as well. I get really nervous and tongue-tied when I talk to them as well.
I also really want to meet Marissa Meyer. I LOVE her books and it would be a dream come true to meet her!
Those are some great author interactions! Wonderful post! :D
Oh wow! You got to meet some awesome and amazing authors! I would totally die if I got to meet some of the people you met. I have intense waves of jealousy happening here right now, you have no idea. Okay, quick, does anyone in Florida want to put me in their suitcase for the next book event?
Sarah J. Maas!!! ZOMG. I love The Starkillers Cycle too!
Jessica @ Rabid Reads
What lovely memories you have of these encounters. I laughed at your comment about being tongue tied since I am going to a literary festival this weekend and will be desperate to ask a question yet nervous if I do get called on
In a strange way it is incredibly rewarding to have authors recognize your thoughts the way you recognize theirs in your reviews! I get completely flabbergasted! I can’t believe you met Daniel Handler! His books are amazing! Great answer, hopefully I’ll see you at the Twitter party later!
My Author Interaction post
Juli @ Universe in Words
Those are some great author moments! Good for you for creating the opportunities to make them happen.
Haha, that exchange with Daniel is the best! I think his series is still one of the best children’s series I have ever read.
—Brenda @DailyMayo
Wow you’ve gotten to meet so many authors. Besides for all the authors I saw at BEA last year (which was kind of fast so I only got to talk to one author really. ) I’ve meet Daniel Handler and Sarah J. Maas(at BEA) and Amy Tan. I literally had to force myself to hold an adult conversation and hold off fangirling until I was alone.
I had one author interaction in my 25 years of existence. I was at Michigan State University photographing an event for teachers/educators, and the keynote speaker was Chris Crutcher. His speech was interesting, but most importantly, he jumped in front of my camera and made a goofy face. Unfortunately, I was still setting things up, so I didn’t capture it :(