Yes, I'm just now posting about ALA, but two weeks is how long it takes to recover afterward!
One of my favorite parts of major book-related events (apart from getting new books) is reconnecting with friends across the country and making new ones.
And it started Friday.
Texas Sweethearts Jessica Lee Anderson, Tricia Hoover and I had just arrived at the convention center in NOLA when I bounced off to get my badge and ran into...Jonathan Auxier! I've only known him through Twitter, but I recognized his profile (and name badge), and we struck up a conversation and headed to lunch, picking up author Shannon Messenger on the way.
From l-r Jonathan, Tricia, Shannon, Jessica. I don't know the dude in the background.
Friday night, Jessica, Tricia and I cruised the convention floor with roomie Emily Anderson and then visited a few choice publisher parties.
Check out the caricature from the Random House party! Note how he didn't give me the slanted eyes most caricaturists enjoy giving me. I was very grateful. Also, he gave me big boobs.
Hamming it up with Phil Bildner. And there's gorgeous gal Ellen Hopkins in the background!
On Saturday, I did a wee bit more of the book grabbing, a bit o' slots at Harrah's casino (it's in walking distance. How could I not?) and then off to some more evening events. This time? The posse was much bigger.
Yes, all these sweet girls had names. No, I don't remember what they were.
At the Simon & Schuster party with author/illustrator Eric Wight and Emily Anderson.
(You can tell it's getting later...and more humid...in the evening. Check out my hair).
At the same party, I also:
-Finally got to meet Jenny Han(!!!)
-Was scolded and forced to sit on the floor with Mr. Schu Reads (we were blocking a very short woman's view during a presentation)
-Judged a very nice man by his rolled-up shorts. Hi, Alex!
-Adventured into the ballroom bathroom barefoot (cute shoes will eventually kill you)
On Sunday, I enjoyed catching up with friend and former SCBWI roomie Jen Lynn Barnes and a slew of other authors at lunch. Hey, Jen...MONKEY.
And yes, I did meet Jonathan Stroud. And yes, he was as awesome as I thought he might be.
