And now back to semi-normal life
You guys, WOW. I mean wow as in I don’t fully have my regular brain back in my head. The events of these past few days have been so unreal–from the TV interview (which I saw on tape today–do I really look and sound like that? I remember being the woman in that chair, talking, but the one on the screen looks completely different from the person I remember being. Know what I mean?) to the author panel I was part of Monday night, to last night’s book launch event at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona. Have I mentioned that Changing Hands won this year’s Publishers Weekly Bookseller of the Year? Have I mentioned that I understand why?
Let’s start with the cupcakes. They ordered about a hundred, with half of them with a decoration of the Darwin fish on them, half with the Jesus fish. The theme being, “You choose.” I thought it was brilliant! I chose several of each because I wanted to be fair. And jacked up on sugar, apparently. (By the way, someone–not me–did claim the artistry was a little off, and the fish ended up looking like pink “Support Breast Cancer Research” ribbons, but hey, I do support that, so it’s all fine with me.)
I’ll admit I packed the crowd. Or put another way, I’m grateful to report that many of my friends and family drove the three-hour round trip to be there for me. THANK YOU!!! And then there are the people who went to the extreme trouble of flying in from various parts of the country just to share a few hours with me. THANK YOU!!! (I wish I had bigger capitalization.)
So I know you’re all thinking, “Yada, yada, yada–what about Patrick and Annette? How did that go?”
I’m sure the two of them will want to chime in here themselves, but from where I stood, it was like watching that Disney movie The Fox and the Hound. Remember when they were little? “Hi, I’m a hound dog! Ruff, ruff!” Very similar to that. And just as heartwarming.
Plus, I got to have dinner before my event with both Patrick and Barry Lyga, so how glam was that? If you’d been at the Pei Wei across from Changing Hands at around 5:30 last night, you would have seen us being all sophisticated and authorly and talking about highly intellectual matters like whether Patrick’s little boy said, “The lying chicken people put us in jail” or that the “lying trickin’ people” did. We all agreed we prefer the first one.
As for the event itself, SO much fun. I had a great time, and I hope the audience did, too. They had some great questions for me–including Laura Fitzgerald‘s stumper about what I’ve noticed are the differences between high school now and high school when I went (Answer: “Ramble, ramble, random comment, weird reference, done”)–and some nicely embarrassing ones from my own family (thanks! I’ll see you all at Christmas!). Then there were a certain friend and a certain brother who both wanted to know why they didn’t show up on my Acknowledgments page. “Did your editor make you cut that, too? Were you just three letters over? Or did you forget how to spell my name?” Sigh . . .
Thank you to my blog friends who showed up for my special day: Herb, Deborah, Annette, Patrick, Barry, MJG, and Laura. Thank you to my non-blog friends and family who did the same. My heart swells with love and appreciation!
And now it’s time to unpack, do laundry, go grocery shopping–all those ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) that keep us all grounded despite the outlandish things going on in the rest of our lives.
Anything I’ve missed while I’ve been gone?
Technorati Tags: Writing, Publishing, Book Launch, Changing Hands Bookstore
although i can only speak for myself, and well, for patrick–it was magical.
we lightly hugged; we air kissed; we favorably noted that patrick was wearing a clean pair of jeans and a pressed, long sleeve shirt and annette, a dove gray max mara suit (really just an old schmatte i found in the back of the closet), black armani tee, stuart weitzman sling back sandals and carrying a kate spade
black hobo bag into which i slipped my fendi sunglasses. no surprises there.
it was both cool and a bit surreal to meet so many fellow travelers in the flesh.
as to rb, totally KICK ASS! she played the big, unruly crowd like a pro. (except for getting into it with her brothers, you know, one of those uncomfortable, “did,not!”–”did too!” kind of exchanges that had to finally be broken up by her mother). lots of great q&a. the ya’s in the audience, of which there were many, were smart and engaged and, let me tell you, love this book!
so, rb, thanks for letting us be part of the fun and of course for allowing me the opportunity to meet the space lord.
Robin, thank you for letting us in on your first book launching party. It was such fun that I am considering starting a new career of “embarrassing questions to ask a new author on launch day”. I wouldn’t charge much, just a plane ticket and some chocolate.
What do you think?
If someone could explain why Robin used to hide gerbils in her dresser…
And what’s the going rate for her brother as a butler, and, well, is he a good butler?
I’m so happy for you, Robin. I really wish I could have been there because the book is super fantastic.
Oh well. I’ll always have the 594…
Ah, the 594…that’s all I’m left with too…
But, seriously, glad it went well, Robin!
I didn’t mean to stump you, Robin — sorry! I thought I was lobbing an underhanded softball pitch.
You may think your answer was “ramble, ramble, random comment, weird reference, done,” but here’s what I heard: “Sex.” “The internet and how kids now learn about sex compared to back then.” And “Sex.”
So, I got the point. It had something to do with sex, right?
It was a GREAT night. You have some most-excellent friends and family and YA fans. And welcome home.
Awesome, Robin. Cupcakes! Questions about sex! Book fans everywhere! Sounds perfect to me, and I’m sure you were perfect too. Congrats and be sure you get some sleep. And feed yourself well. And savor it all.
“Have I mentioned that Changing Hands won this year’s Publishers Weekly Bookseller of the Year?”
Wait a sec — HOW often does Publishers Weekly come out?
Sting!
I’m glad it went well, too. Congrats!
Oh, man. I’m getting all fluttery just reading about it. Listen, skip the laundry and the grocery shopping for another day or two. Order in and wallow…
Barry, you SUCK. I drew the sting on that one in my Acknowledgments page on the book, and you know it.
Laura, you’re right. And that was the problem, because I started down that road and then realized my 12-year-old niece and 9-year-old nephew were staring up at me, and there were other kids in the audience, and my mouth just kept going, and . . . ugh. But it was a great question, and now maybe I’ll be prepared for it if someone asks again.
MJG, no, thank you. Your questions made me sweat enough for one night.
Patrick, thanks for reminding me. Why did I tell the gerbil story? Why did I confess that I’d made my little brother my butler? The mouth just goes.
Annette, you did look stunning. And I agree–I loved the teens in the audience! They asked such wonderful questions!
Sara, Heather, Jules, Kelly, thank you! I’m still your 594 girl!
Liz, I feel the same way. That’s WHY I have to go back to doing the laundry and going grocery shopping.
Hi Robin! I just wanted to say that it sounds like you had a lot of fun at your book launch party and I wish I could’ve been there! I’m getting your book tomorrow and I can’t wait to read it. I’m sure it’ll be great! By the way I was at your writing class and I just wanted to say you did a great job!
Thanks!
It was an honor to render services to the queen. She graciously offered top dollar that was immediately cashed in at the video arcade. I would not have the coordination and skills as a musician today if I not trained extensively on Asteroids and Pinball as a young lad. Thank you Robin.
Hi, Dylan! How nice to see you on the blog! And I’m so glad you liked the class! You did a great job.
Little Brother/Butler/Slave Boy, thank you for coming forward and telling the truth. Older Brother/Heckler/Fact-Twister tried to make me look bad at the book launch last night. You have done me a service, lad.
My sister made me crawl under her bed with all the dust bunnies to get her clothes for the laundry. I was 4 and fit under the bed nicely (and I thought it was quality time).
I’m so glad there was a crowd! I found out I was getting up early to work this a.m., and facing the record-breaking temperatures, cat-sitting (of course), and the menopause, I was sure you’d have enough fun without me!
I am smiling as I think of little awareness ribbons that have developed feet and crawled up on dry land.
Whatever. It was two nights ago. *blush* I know I was tired, anyway.
Congrats,Robin-the launch party sounds like it was fun! Those cupcakes were a great idea(were any of them chocolate,by chance?). You haven’t missed much around here,I promise.
kittymamma – What was two nights ago? when your sister made you crawl under her bed or menopause?
(BTW – bordering TMI here…or are you invoking the no such thing as TMI on Robin’s Blog rule?)
Update:
I have finished reading
BOY FREAKS OF NATURE by Barry Brande.
I couldn’t choose favorites, so I read them both at the same time.
Thanks!
I’m excited to be here!
Glad that it was a roaring success. Wish I could have been there, even in the Arizona summer.
Kittymama, don’t you worry about TMI. Patrick is right–I hereby renew the rule that there is no such thing as TMI around here. Tell us everything.
Lady T, the cupcakes were divine! And yes, half of them were chocolate with white frosting. Mmmm.
Patrick, you read my book! And Barry’s book! At the same time! How completely messed up is that?
Dylan, I just found out I’m teaching another another girls’ writing class at the end of October. Be sure to watch the Changing Hands bulletin.
Mother Reader, that’s sweet, but I think next time I have any event in Arizona, it will be in the winter to give everyone on your side of the country a break from the hideous cold.
I am in awe of the cupcakes.