Wednesday, April 18, 2012

YA Tour or BUST!

Last night I made my way to A Great Good Place for Books (isn’t that a great name?) in Oakland for a book signing with Stephanie Perkins, Nina LaCour, Gayle Forman, Jess Rothenberg and moderated by Yvonne Prinz.


Ah, yeah. Epic.


I loved listening to their writing processes, learning about working with editors, and a candid discussion on censorship (which Gayle Forman nailed using an analogy that may have involved green peas). Also, the bonus factor: about fifteen teenage boys who thought the YA or Bust tour meant they might see some real ‘busts.’


On later examination we learned they were there for extra credit. But still, what cool teacher gives extra credit for that? And, I bet despite their reluctance in being there, they actually learned a thing or two.


I have a bedside table full of shiny new books and had a fantastic conversation with Gayle Forman, my new writer crush. She was great!


I have realized, as I’ve gotten older, that book signings are my new concerts. I rarely go to concerts anymore, I tend to complain about the noise and not being able to be in bed by ten…but book signings…


They rock!

16 comments:

  1. Jealous, so jealous.

    You did mention me, right, when you were drooling all over them?

    Have you read "Where She Went" yet?

    I want to be that kind of teacher for giving extra credit. Bravo.

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    1. Of course I mentioned you. And of course I've read WHERE SHE WENT...and LOVED IT. She nailed Adam's voice. Nailed it!

      And yes, that teacher was awesome for the extra credit.

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    2. Ilima, have you read Where She Went yet? I haven't. Isn't it the sequel to If I Stay?

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    3. Katie-I haven't. And I still have your copy of If I Stay. How terrible am I? Please remind me tomorrow!

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  2. Book signings the new concerts...love it.

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    1. Just like a concert, but quieter, smaller, and a little more... um, literary? But the high afterwords is the same.

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  3. So, so jealous. And we need more details! Were you so busy waving your lighter you forgot to take notes? ;)

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    1. Take notes? That would've been brilliant. Actually that would've been embarrassing as they were literally ten inches from my face. Did I mention that the book store is the size of a postage stamp?

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  4. I'm with Robin. I still need more details! And I'm jealous...I haven't been to a book signing since January. I totally dig your rock concert comparison. I still have cheesy visions of myself singing my song on my guitar at my own future book signing. Tee hee...

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    1. Oh, you should totally sing at your book signing. They would love it! Actually these guys talked a lot about music and how it influenced their writing.

      Yvonne is the owner of Amoeba Records, which is a pretty damn deal--here in the Bay Area. Amoeba's one of the settings in LOLA.

      Original music: even better!

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    2. Ooh. I remember the record store in Lola. How fun!

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  5. SO I WENT TO A SIGNING TONIGHT.

    AND I REMEMBERED TO TAKE NOTES.

    UNLIKE SOMEONE I COULD MENTION.

    I seriously drove 6.5 hrs roundtrip for this.

    I am such a groupie.

    Kimberly Derting is convinced I'm stalking her b/c I've been to 4 of her signings now--3 different cities in Seattle, and now all the way over here in Ohio. Lol.

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    1. Wow. Good job on the notes! I only drove forty minutes, so, I might not be such a groupie. Still. It is my second time seeing Stephanie Perkins.

      So, when are we going to get a report? Get out your notes.

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  6. So, this is my first time at your blog and it was the title that caught my attention. I did a paper on The Yellow Wallpaper this semester and freakin' loved that story!!!

    Anyway, I've only been to one book signing (and it was for George R. R. Martin so you know it was the bomb) but I agree with you that they rock hard core and are the bomb diggity. I'll have to keep an eye out for more authors in my area.

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    1. Yes, The Yellow Wallpaper is one of the best short stories ever written. Super creepy and spine shivering. Glad you made it to my blog.

      A signing with George Martin would be a dream. Kind of jealous right now! I go to as many book signings as I can, I live in the Bay Area, so there's no shortage. It's awesome.

      Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. I saw YA Tour or Bust when they came through my area. It was very awesome :D

    I came by to let you know I tagged you in a Lucky 7 meme ;)

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