Our Oswego PROM blowout

I graduated from high school 26 years ago, but yesterday I had my senior prom. In a very booky way.

My favorite (and my local, as soon as I move) independent bookstore, The River’s End in Oswego, NY, wanted to throw a big bash for my PROM signing. I started writing the book in the store’s comfy reading chair, and this was the last official stop on the book tour, so it all made sense. The owner, Bill Reilly, also wanted to bring one more round of publicity to Ashley and Bridgette, the masterminds behind The Prom Project, which has raised money and collected donations to ensure that all the students who wanted to attend the prom at Oswego High School could afford to do so.

So yesterday just proved my point that proms (and faux proms courtesy of nice booksellers) can be a lot of fun.

Image hosted by TinyPic.com It started with the limo. (Note the muddy condition of our driveway. Central New York welcomed me home with torrential downpours. *huddles under umbrella*)

Image hosted by TinyPic.com Jessica performed a miracle with my hair and let me borrow a tiara. Bill provided us with corsages and boutonnieres. We might look middle-aged, but you are looking at two kids whose hearts were thumping.

Image hosted by TinyPic.com Hot booksellers! The entire staff dressed up. They decorated the store and Mindy, Bill’s wife, made a cool cake and other yummy munchies. Bookseller Alex made to-die-for peanut butter cups. The staff was busy all day. Despite the monsoon, more than 150 people came out.

Image hosted by TinyPic.com That’s me (yes, I really did wear a dress. And stockings. And shoes, not sneakers. Hard to believe.), my Beloved Husband, Scot, and Bill The Magnificent Bookseller.

Image hosted by TinyPic.com The New York branch of our family: Scot, Christian, Jessica, and her boyfriend, Nate, who was very patient with all our craziness. (Thank you, Nate.)

Image hosted by TinyPic.com The entire staff kicking back at the end of the prom.

A million, bazillion prom queen air kisses to Bill and Mindy, the River’s End staff, Christian for taking the pictures, Mary Jean’s Alterations and Tailoring (tuxedos), Mr. John’s (flowers), and all the amazing people who braved the rain to rock the bookstore. It was the signing of a lifetime.

How do you top that? You don’t. We went home and put on normal clothes, then we ate wings, watched a little basketball, and hung out at the bowling alley with my sister and her family. (Michigan State lost. *hangs head in sorrow*) Today is full of more family events. Tomorrow and Tuesday are trying to catch up on life. I head for the Texas Library Association Conference on Wednesday.

PS – Happy Birthday, Greg!

42 Replies to “Our Oswego PROM blowout”

  1. Wet, Yet Wonderful!

    I finally went to a PROM! Thanks to rivers end bookstore, Laurie, and Scot for a wonderful afternoon. Especially to Laurie for being so down to earth and welcoming. Yeah, she arrived in a white limo, was dressed to the nines and was escorted by a very dapper young gentleman (Scot), but it did not go to her head. Hope to see you both around town. Central New York will be lucky to have you as a resident! 🙂

  2. Wet, Yet Wonderful!

    I finally went to a PROM! Thanks to rivers end bookstore, Laurie, and Scot for a wonderful afternoon. Especially to Laurie for being so down to earth and welcoming. Yeah, she arrived in a white limo, was dressed to the nines and was escorted by a very dapper young gentleman (Scot), but it did not go to her head. Hope to see you both around town. Central New York will be lucky to have you as a resident! 🙂

  3. Wet, Yet Wonderful!

    I finally went to a PROM! Thanks to rivers end bookstore, Laurie, and Scot for a wonderful afternoon. Especially to Laurie for being so down to earth and welcoming. Yeah, she arrived in a white limo, was dressed to the nines and was escorted by a very dapper young gentleman (Scot), but it did not go to her head. Hope to see you both around town. Central New York will be lucky to have you as a resident! 🙂

  4. What a blast!

    That looks like the most fun booksigning ever!

    I just finished PROM and I thought it was terrific. The voice was so original and fresh and fun. I think it’s one of the best YA books I’ve read in a long time (and I read a lot of ’em, being an aspiring YA writer myself).

    Cary in VT

  5. What a blast!

    That looks like the most fun booksigning ever!

    I just finished PROM and I thought it was terrific. The voice was so original and fresh and fun. I think it’s one of the best YA books I’ve read in a long time (and I read a lot of ’em, being an aspiring YA writer myself).

    Cary in VT

  6. What a blast!

    That looks like the most fun booksigning ever!

    I just finished PROM and I thought it was terrific. The voice was so original and fresh and fun. I think it’s one of the best YA books I’ve read in a long time (and I read a lot of ’em, being an aspiring YA writer myself).

    Cary in VT

  7. Happy Birthday to Daddy!

    Wow, you all look like you had an awesome time. Bald Stepdad, Pale Mom, Handsome little brother, Beautiful big sister, and the new guy!

  8. Happy Birthday to Daddy!

    Wow, you all look like you had an awesome time. Bald Stepdad, Pale Mom, Handsome little brother, Beautiful big sister, and the new guy!

  9. Happy Birthday to Daddy!

    Wow, you all look like you had an awesome time. Bald Stepdad, Pale Mom, Handsome little brother, Beautiful big sister, and the new guy!

  10. I bought Prom today– it’s excellent! I especially like that you gave credit to the music you were listening to while writing it. Very cute.

  11. I bought Prom today– it’s excellent! I especially like that you gave credit to the music you were listening to while writing it. Very cute.

  12. I bought Prom today– it’s excellent! I especially like that you gave credit to the music you were listening to while writing it. Very cute.

  13. oh man I ♥ed going to prom. This looks like a lot of fun. I love your books and I cant wait to read Prom. Glad you had a good time. Have fun in TX! Thats where I live but Ive never been to Austin & I live near Houston. I would love to go see you and Sarah Dessen. Have a good day!

  14. oh man I ♥ed going to prom. This looks like a lot of fun. I love your books and I cant wait to read Prom. Glad you had a good time. Have fun in TX! Thats where I live but Ive never been to Austin & I live near Houston. I would love to go see you and Sarah Dessen. Have a good day!

  15. oh man I ♥ed going to prom. This looks like a lot of fun. I love your books and I cant wait to read Prom. Glad you had a good time. Have fun in TX! Thats where I live but Ive never been to Austin & I live near Houston. I would love to go see you and Sarah Dessen. Have a good day!

  16. Looks like everyone had a great time…what an awesome idea for a signing. Oh, and let me just say too that the whole fanfic promotion is brilliant.

    Have a blast in Austin…lol, I just remembered that was the last place I saw you in person! I told Sarah Dessen to try and sneak away and get gingerbread pancakes at Kerby Lane; if you get a chance, you should too! Sheer nirvana, I promise!

  17. Looks like everyone had a great time…what an awesome idea for a signing. Oh, and let me just say too that the whole fanfic promotion is brilliant.

    Have a blast in Austin…lol, I just remembered that was the last place I saw you in person! I told Sarah Dessen to try and sneak away and get gingerbread pancakes at Kerby Lane; if you get a chance, you should too! Sheer nirvana, I promise!

  18. Looks like everyone had a great time…what an awesome idea for a signing. Oh, and let me just say too that the whole fanfic promotion is brilliant.

    Have a blast in Austin…lol, I just remembered that was the last place I saw you in person! I told Sarah Dessen to try and sneak away and get gingerbread pancakes at Kerby Lane; if you get a chance, you should too! Sheer nirvana, I promise!

  19. you are precious… all this talk about prom is making me really excited for our prom.. just got shoes.. dress is going to grandma to be hemmed.. woo! who cares if it is my 4th prom..hehe

  20. you are precious… all this talk about prom is making me really excited for our prom.. just got shoes.. dress is going to grandma to be hemmed.. woo! who cares if it is my 4th prom..hehe

  21. you are precious… all this talk about prom is making me really excited for our prom.. just got shoes.. dress is going to grandma to be hemmed.. woo! who cares if it is my 4th prom..hehe

  22. Shooz! Hems! Half of the fun is the build-up ahead of time. Can’t wait to see you guys all dressed up…. (love the icon photo BTW)

  23. Shooz! Hems! Half of the fun is the build-up ahead of time. Can’t wait to see you guys all dressed up…. (love the icon photo BTW)

  24. Shooz! Hems! Half of the fun is the build-up ahead of time. Can’t wait to see you guys all dressed up…. (love the icon photo BTW)

  25. I think all parents secretly want to go to prom, because at our age you are finally smart enough not to worry about the silly things like shoes. If high schools wanted a great fund raiser, they’d sponsor a Mom & Dad prom the night before senior prom. Trust me, it would rake in the cash.

  26. I think all parents secretly want to go to prom, because at our age you are finally smart enough not to worry about the silly things like shoes. If high schools wanted a great fund raiser, they’d sponsor a Mom & Dad prom the night before senior prom. Trust me, it would rake in the cash.

  27. I think all parents secretly want to go to prom, because at our age you are finally smart enough not to worry about the silly things like shoes. If high schools wanted a great fund raiser, they’d sponsor a Mom & Dad prom the night before senior prom. Trust me, it would rake in the cash.

Leave a Reply to meexclamation

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.