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

12 Replies to “I’ve been on tour for a week already?”

  1. If you come to Arizona in summer, I promise no one in Phoenix (or Southern AZ) will be eating outside then. 🙂

    We have to get it in now, before our harsh season kicks in!

  2. You go!

    You should have a pair of ears and an Energizer sigh with you, oh tireless friend! Have fun at Bookpeople–such a great store and I bet the Austin writers will be out in full force!

  3. I started reading Wintergirls today while I was at work (I work in an independent bookstore nights and weekends, basically whenever they have hours for me), and I’m less than 100 pages from the end. It is SO wonderful. Your imagery is stunning and I have to say I’m completely sucked in. I can’t wait to finish it!

    Love it!

  4. Thanks so much for taking time to talk to me on the phone on Thursday! I really wanted to come up, but my school schedule + the weather didn’t allow it 🙁 It meant a lot that I was still able to be part of the experience 🙂

    Oh, and my mom thinks you’re the bees knees. Seriously, she raved about how awesome you are for like ten minutes on the phone afterwards. I must say, I agree with her!

    –Caitlin

  5. Two things — my wife saw an add for WINTERGIRLS in Entertainment Weekly. Yay for you. And, speaking of Oxford, I’ve always heard that Mississippi is a hotbed of awesome tamale makers. I’ve never been there, but I think that alone is reason to go. Ask around about tamales.

  6. Just read Speak and Catalyst in one day and was blown away by the power and grace of your writing. I write about recovering from traumatic events, and I am going to list Speak on my website as one of the books that can help people heal and other people understand… (I am adding that page so it won’t be up for a few days). You did a tremendous job. I hope you love hearing that, because I love saying it! Can hardly wait to get Wintergirls…
    Can hardly wait for whatever you write next….

  7. Awwwww… I’ve been hoping to get to one of your events (come back to NY? Please? ^.^), and I was in Coral Gables last Thursday visiting family! I could have gone!

    Road trips are fun. Enjoy. =)

  8. The King’s English

    Your event at The King’s English was wonderful. I’m so glad I got to meet you and chat about your books. They are wonderful and so are you!

    Sue

  9. loved Wintergirls

    My baby and I were so glad to meet you at the King’s English. Not only did you sign my book, but I got a copy with two covers, so it’s twice as unique. And I read Wintergirls. It was amazing. I hope it does the same things for readers facing tough issues as your other books have. I think it will.

  10. Bummed I missed you in SLC

    I’m bummed that I missed you in Salt Lake City (I was hosting a cub scout pack meeting). I haven’t read much of your work, but I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read and I look forward to Wintergirls. Excited I found your blog. Take care.

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