Authors, Kai Strand & LA Dragoni

If you aren't an author yourself, you might think that we all hobnob with each other regularly. But the truth of it is, we almost all have our own holy grail of authors that when/if we meet we are reduced to squealing fans around. Before I was published, I met Tamora Pierce. The reason I was at her reading was because I was a fan, not because I was an aspiring writer. So when I won a copy of her new book in a drawing, I was beyond happy. But I've always been painfully shy, and I couldn't even bring myself to approach her to get the book signed. What a dork! I really wish I could relive that moment. Just to prove I'm not the only author out there who fangirls when she meets her faves, I collected a few stories to share. Tracey M. Cox on meeting Bruce Coville: It was amazing. One of those moments when you tell yourself to, “Be cool. Be cool”, but inside your hopping around going, “Oh my gosh. Oh. My. Gosh. OH MY GOSH!” Hahaha. Kim McDougall  on m...

<-- This happened this weekend. I've always wanted to attend, but was never organized enough to make it happen. My niece was the one to corral me and her mom into it this year. I've been really busy recently, so I glanced over the workshop schedules and bought my ticket and showed up. Let it be known that I hadn't read anything about what was actually going to happen while I was there. We walk in and sat down for our first panel, and thee cutest person bops past on her way to the moderating podium. I grinned thinking, This is going to be fun! Then she introduces herself as Stephanie Perkins and I'm in immediate and completely unexpected fangirl mode. I think, No WONDER Anna and the French Kiss made me so happy. Look at the author! I was able to meet her later and gush about her books and she signed a copy of Lola and the Boy Next Door for me and it was simultaneously fun and embarrassing to be so excited about meeting someone. But she really deserves it. ...