Sunday, May 30, 2010

BEA in Pictures!

Wow, just got back from an amazing, whirlwind week in NYC where I attended BEA, which translates to Book Expo America, but is also known as Disneyland for Book Lovers, as it's just teeming with authors & ARCs & all kinds of literary-type goodness!

Since it fell around the time of my husband's b-day we tacked on a few extra days so we could celebrate it in the city, and since one of his favorite things in the world (seriously, in the world) is caviar, we started the day having caviar for breakfast at The Russian Tea Room. (Okay, maybe it was noon when we got there, but since we were on California time, it was breakfast for us!)






The much anticipated caviar:



Um, me!


Right after we left The Russian Tea Room there was a brief flurry of excitement when we saw Tobey Maguire on the street!







Only he wasn't really dressed like that.

But still, he was really, really cute.

From the Tobey Sighting we went over to MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) and took in the amazing Henri Cartier-Bresson exhibit






If you squint really hard, the kissing guy kind of looks like Tobey Maguire, right?

Or maybe that's just me?

Anyway, we also saw the Marina Abramovic exhibit


And that's when it hit me:

We'd just unintentionally relived Sex & The City episode #86--in reverse!

You know the one where Carrie & Charlotte take in a Marina Abramovic exhibit and then Carrie meets Alexander Petrovsky (as played by Baryshnikov) who takes her to The Russian Tea Room.

Only they called it the Russian Samovar.

But same difference.

So weird when art imitates life!

Anyway, there was more excitement & mayhem for sure, but then BEA started and the crazy/whirlwind schedule began, and since I'm lousy with the picture taking, especially once things get busy, all I really have to show for it is this pic of The Duchess of York (aka Fergie, aka Sarah Fergusen)




Taken at the Children's Breakfast where she spoke along with Cory Doctorow, Mitali Perkins, & Richard Peck--all of whom gave amazing speeches!

And that's it!

I know, sad, right?

Despite seeing various celebs signing books, tons of authors, & bloggers, & booksellers, & librarians galore, the only other photo I got was of me & my friend Felix: aka brilliant inventor, multiple patent holder, & band leader of Felix & The Cats--an awesome swing band you should def take in if you ever get the chance!




Oh, and I almost forgot--the art in my hotel room totally reminded me of the art that inspired the RADIANCE cover--including this pic:



(yes, that is the bathroom door reflected in the picture--try to squint & look past it!)

Which reminds me somewhat of the bridge that's on the cover!

Or maybe that's just me?

Anyway, thanks to all of you who came to the RADIANCE signing--I had a blast and it was so great to meet so many of you!

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!

Alyson
xoxo


Monday, May 17, 2010

Every Picture Tells a Story

(blog title courtesy of Rod Stewart)

So this weekend I attended a little something called TBF Live--an amazing, annual event organized by the amazing librarians of Rochester, NY that easily surpassed all of my expectations, which, from all the wonderful things I'd heard about it, were admittedly high!

There were limos, marching bands, cheering crowds, a red carpet, a "walk of fame," and an awesome group of enthusiastic readers I was delighted to meet, including, but certainly not limited to: Cristina who came down from Toronto, Prom Girl who took time out from her morning prom prep to stop by and say hi, lots of friends from Facebook & Myspace (is the world shrinking, or is it me?), Jenaye's papa who came out to get her books signed since she lives in NC and pass on some awesome pictures she drew of Ever & Haven along with a really sweet note, and, after one of my talks, a mom passed me a note that brought me to tears--the good kind of tears, but still. I feel so fortunate to have such amazing readers, you guys are The Best!

And while I admit to not always being so quick with the camera, I'm usually too caught up in the moment to remember to document it, I did take a few, so here goes:

The official TBF poster--they are already planning next year's event- so stay tuned!

My books as seen in the Atlanta airport, I stuck bookmarks in them! And yes, I'm still a big dork who gets excited about spotting her books in the airport!






The Limo! They had 2 SUV stretch limos to take us to the event!



Me with the world's best "handlers" Kelsey & Marissa!



I got LOTS of swag and gifts, including a talking Office pen (one of my fave TV shows) that says, "That's what she said!" among other things = LOVE!


The walk of fame!



The amazing welcome from an awesome crowd!



I gave my talks in the chapel--so cool!!



And, back in the Atlanta airport, where I decided to get a little work done in lieu of stalking my books!



And just in case you think it's only the readers who get excited about these things, I can't even tell you how thrilled I was to get to meet & hang out with some of my favorite & soon to be favorite writers.

All in all a complete whirlwind of FUN!

Thanks to all of you who took the time to come out!

Alyson
:)




Monday, May 10, 2010

TBF Live!



I've been waiting for this event for a year now, and I can hardly believe it's almost here!!

I mean, where else can you meet 27 amazing YA authors all under one roof?

Only HERE that I can think of!

Hope to see you there!!



Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Teen Fiction Cafe!




I'm over at The Cafe blogging about friendships--come join me!

Just click HERE!

Sunday, May 02, 2010

Children's Choice Book Awards!



Hey Everyone-


Just a quick note to remind you that today is the last day to vote for the Children's Choice Book Awards (BLUE MOON is a finalist!) for Best Teen Book of 2010--and all you have to do to cast your vote, is click HERE!

(Please note that you must vote in all 3 categories for your vote to count!)

Happy Sunday!

Alyson
:)