Things Diana Did Her Second Day at BEA

1. Brought a backpack. This is very important, as allowed for most of the the following…
2. Discovered that there was a whole, special section for autographing upstairs in the “children’s publishing and Ellora’s Cave” section that she had not known about.
3. Met Simone Elkeles and the Flux crew, including Andrew Karre. Got a “new literati” pin.
4. Met a brand-new agent looking to build her list at a hot agency. Oooh, secrets, secrets… Here’s a hint. She shares the same last name as a very famous award winning female author. No relation.
5. Went with aforementioned brand new agent to meet M.T. Anderson, author of L.A. Times Notable book FEED. Met M. T. Gushed appropriately. (This chonicler did so enjoy the Anderson. If you like the Westerfeld, try the Anderson. That’s all I say.)
6. Became the brunt of vaguely bigoted jokes at another signing. Laughed uncomfortably in case the guy was just talking out of his ass and got the heck out of Dodge.
7. Stumbled across a Geraldine Brooks signing of the TPB of Pulitzer Prize-winning MARCH. despite much respect for Jim Belushi, was disappointed that there wasn’t more love for Brooks as measured by line in front of Brook’s booth as compared to Belushi. Discovered that Brooks has English accent.
8. In line for Brooks, met two lovely ladies from bookstores in VA who had both read SSG ARCs and loved them. Gave them card to invite them to set up signings.
9. Went to a signing with Maureen Child and Miz Zachary.
10. Visited the Yale Press and saw a buddy’s book in their catalogue. refrained from talking to much about the role they play in SSG. Did, however, mention SSG.
11. Met up with Gena Showalter, who of course, as usual, looked drop dead gorgeous, despite protestations of delayed flight, broken hair accoutrements, blah blah blah blah, beautiful, beautiful, red-streaks-in-hair gorgeous, slim lovely beautiful. Also, hungry. Gena signed, Diana procured for Gena French fries. Gena, in turn, noted that her book, Playing With Fire, was dedicated to Diana. Diana decided to mention Playing With Fire as often as possible on blog. Considered new saying in which anything heretofore considered cool might now be considered Playing With Fire. May have potential.
12. In line for Gena’s and Heather Graham’s signing, met another bookseller, who actually is in spin class with very good friend from Diana’s former place of employment, Hung out and chatted.
13. More booksignings. Procured handfuls of signed books, mostly in the “self help” field, including The Seven Minutes Difference, by Allyson Lewis, and Ballsy, by Karen Salmansohn. I think I totally could get into self-help.
14. Got a signed book by Sherri L. King, one of the few EC authors who made it to BEA. Also got an Ellora’s cavemen calendar. In other news, got an ARC of Elizabeth Haydon’s new book, which like, mine, has a collectible, “different” cover.
15. Got in line for Holly Black. Early. Phew. Got a signed copy of Valiant, to add to my collection of Valiant. Introduced myself to HB (yes, Justine, I did mention NB) and pointed out how I think, post-Ravus, that there’s no reason that troll romance shouldn’t be every bit as popular as vamp. HB and her editor (handler?) agreed. HB is very pretty. I want eye makeup lessons from her. And writing lessons, but I may settle for eye makeup.
16. Saw a poor unnamed bestselling author being forced to regurgitate lines from the movie made from his or her book for the benefit of a news camera. Now understand why unnamed bestselling autor is always rolling eyed in videos made of said author.
17. Went to chill with Gena and Susan Grant in the Harlequin booth. Gena spoke to Jill Monroe on the phone, who says hi to everyone at Diana’s Diversions, and reminds them to pick up a copy of Share the Darkness. I think she also promised me a drink, and something about a first born child. Unclear. Seriously though, it was a great Blaze. Tres romantic. Give it a whirl.
18. Went home, my feet so sore I could hardly make it up the steps to the metro.
19. Put my feet up for a few hours then met my lovely, lovely, wonderful, gift-from-God editor, Kerri.
20. Ah, dinner with Kerri. Did I mention the part where she’s like… the best? What did we talk about, you ask? Oh, secrets, secrets…