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!
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…
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.
And gorgeous.
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.
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.
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.
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
