Things Diana Did Her Third (and Final) Day at BEA

(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.

I LOVE BEA!!!!