Spotty Internet Connection and Upcoming Tour Events

Greetings from the Forest! Laurie is experiencing some internet connection problems while on Tour and she has asked that I, Queen Louise, post today! I am honored, to say the least.

So, first things first! Laurie is doing fine after her high flying allergic reaction. She will never, ever have anything to do with Wheatgrass again, if she can help it. Although, she is sure it would be fine for anyone who does not have allergic reactions to it or its mold. Many thanks to all the nice people who helped her out. Us critters here in the Forest are sending her continued feelings of goodness.

The Wintergirls Book Tour has been filled with so many awesome people and events that have left a lasting impression on Laurie; she is grateful. So that she can be even more grateful and filled with feelings of goodness…Please come out and see her! Here are her next events…..

Today…. 3:15PM (CT) Borders
1519 S. Brentwood Boulevard
Brentwood, MO
Phone: (314)918-8189

(Plane ride to Georgia!)

Tuesday: 7:00 PM (ET) Decatur Public Library hosted by Little Shop of Stories
215 Sycamore St.
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: (404)-373-6300

Wednesday: 6:00 PM Barnes & Noble – Alpharetta **Please Note: Time Change**
Mansell Crossings SC
7660 Northpoint Parkway Ste 200
Alpharetta, GA 30022
Phone: (770) 993-8340

Thanks for bearing with me as I have attempted to make this post as interesting as Laurie’s! She will be “online” soon and will post more of her exciting travels.

I’ve been on tour for a week already?

HAPPY BLUR.

That’s what the first week of the WINTERGIRLS tour has been. I apologize for not being more faithful with my blog posts, but seriously, the last part of the week was in hyperdrive, and everyone knows that the laws of physics prohibit blog postings while in hyperdrive.

I am in Austin, TX right now eagerly anticipating tonight’s event at BookPeople at 7PM.

In the little bit of time I have, let’s see if I can summarize the last few days of craziness.

San Francisco Day #2 was highlighted by time with Rakestraw Books, which – in total defiance of the state of the economy – is moving next week to a new store that is 50% larger!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Also, at my Vroman’s event, I saw my first fangrrl poster, from the Casa Grande High School Book Club. Quite lovely! I had cilantro coleslaw for dinner at an Armenian restaurant and am now consumed with the need to find a good recipe for it. Do you know how to make it?

Seattle Day was filled with students, stock signings, and a terrific event at the library, hosted by Secret Garden Books. Every chair was filled, many with teachers and friends, like the Readergirlz Divas who managed a quick video Q&A with me. Thank you, everyone, who came out (especially you, Olive)!!

After Seattle, things got a little nutty. I woke the next morning at 3:30am so I could make my flight to Phoenix. Had awesome school events in Phoenix and ate lunch with another group of librarians. We ate OUTSIDE because the sun was shining and birds were singing. There was no snow. I think it was 85 degrees. The strange weather gave me the creeps, but the librarians were super nice and the food was yummy – prepared and served by the school’s culinary arts students.

My evening event was on a very tight schedule because of my need to get to the airplane on time. Unfortunately, there was some confusion about the time the event was due to start. Plenty of people turned out to hear me speak at 6pm, but another crowd turned up at 7, when I was scheduled to leave. I apologize again to anyone who got the wrong event info. And thank you to all who came out, including…

Image and video hosting by TinyPic my friend (Professor) Jim Blasingame, who showed up on his gorgeous motorcycle. I was so bummed that I wasn’t spending the night in Phoenix, because I really wanted a ride on the bike. (Jim and I and a couple of other bookish people are thinking about a serious motorcycle ride… probably in 2012, after I get my Harley.) My author nanny took me firmly in tow and delivered me to the airport, and yes, that was the night I ran through the terminal in my stocking feet so I didn’t miss the plane.

I stumbled into bed, at midnight, in Salt Lake City, and woke up hours later for another round of schools and stores. But the weather in Salt Lake was much kinder to me; it was snowy.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic And gorgeous.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic After my school visits, I was interviewed by this fellow, Ori Hoffer, for his TV show “Mountain Views” in Park City, UT. As soon as I can figure out how to link to the interview, I will.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic That night was an AWESOME event at a bookstore I’ve been wanting to visit for years: The King’s English Bookshop, owned by one of the most convincing voices out there advocating for people to strengthen their communities by supporting local business; Betsy Burton. She wrote a great book, too.

It seemed like there were a million people in line; thank you so much to all. After signing everything, I had the chance for a short chat with the folks who hung around, most of them writers and bloggers. We had a great conversation; I am stunned (happily) by the increasing number of adults who are reading YA fiction. Never saw that one coming.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Like my friend, Sara Zarr.

Yesterday started with an early flight from Utah to Houston, Texas. They served us breakfast, in COACH, on the plane; cornflakes and bananas. Astounding.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic In one of the best school visits ever, I returned to Hasting-Alief High School, and talked to a wonderful group of students who had all read WINTERGIRLS. I talked to students at the same school a couple of years ago and it was so cool so see some of them for the second time – they were all grown up!

I talked at the bookstore, Blue Willow, after the event (Thank you Kathy & tribe!!) and headed out to the airport – again – this time to head for Austin.

TONIGHT’S EVENT!!
7:00PM Book People
603 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX
Contact: Mandy Brooks
512-472-4288 x. 411

Early flight tomorrow, then a long drive from the airport to Oxford, Mississippi. HEY!!! I HAVE AN IDEA!!! How about EVERYBODY come down to Oxford Mississippi and join me! It is a very cool place; FAULKNER lived there, for crying out loud.

I CALL ROAD TRIP!!!

TOMORROW’S EVENT
3:00PM Square Books
160 Courthouse Square
Oxford, MS 38655
Contact: Jill
Phone: 662-236-2207

Monday = Brentwood, MO
Tuesday = Decatur, GA
Wednesday = Alpharetta, GA
Thursday = Coral Gables, FL
Friday = Raleigh, NC

Much awesomeness, not much time to post

Yes, yesterday started in Seattle, then I went to Phoenix for the day, and – after running through the terminal in my stocking feet because I was afraid if I took the time to put my Converse on and lace them up I’d miss the plane – I made last night’s flight with seconds to spare and made it to Salt Lake City.

Whew!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic This picture summarizes the last 48 hours – lots of fun and lots of readers!

And the lovely Divas of Readergirls did a quick video interview with me in Seattle.

Want to hang with me tonight?

Come to The King’s English Bookshop
1511 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84105

FRIDAY’S EVENT

Travel To Houston in morning, visits schools.

THEN

4:30 PM Blue Willow
14532 Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77079
Contact: Cathy Berner
Phone: 832 452 2160

SATURDAY! AUSTIN!

7:00PM Book People
603 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX
Contact: Mandy Brooks
512-472-4288 x. 411

In brief

Day was great – saw many old friends, made new ones, ate fish tacos, signed too many books to count, and much more.

But I cannot give details because it’s already 10:20pm.

My wake-up call comes at 3:30 am.

GOOD NIGHT!!

Hurry Scurry

Got in very late last night (well, it was really very early this morning – 2 am to be precise) and am dashing now, so I’ll have to post the rest of my San Fran details later.

While you’re waiting, you can read Kirby Larson’s interview with me.

TUESDAY’S EVENTS: SEATTLE

Morning and afternoon – school events hosted by Third Place Books and Secret Garden.

6:30 PM – 8 PM Seattle Public Library, Ballard Branch hosted by Secret Garden
5614 22nd Ave. NW
Seattle, WA 98107
Ellen FitzGerald, Librarian
206-386-4078
Location: Miriam Twitchell Alberg & Thomas A. Alberg Meeting Room

WEDNESDAY… Phoenix, AZ!