I guess the month’s just about over. That pretty much means it’s time for looking back at the month and declaring what you read the best. Or something. Before that, with September upcoming, and then soon October, I’ll be looking forward to doing a bunch of things that I was not able to do last ... Read more
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By: Cheryl Rainfield,
on 4/18/2012
I had a fantastic time at Ad Astra this year! But mostly because of YA author Lesley Livingston’s generosity, and her and Adrienne Kress’ kindness.
My panel on YA fantasy was scheduled at the exact same time as the YA fiction panel that well-known YA fantasy authors Lesley Livingston (Wondrous Strange, Once Every Never), Adrienne Kress (Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, The Friday Society), and also Max Turner (Night Runner, End of Days) were on. And while I’m known in the US, I’m not really well-known in Canada, even though Scars was a GG Finalist, likely because my US publisher (who I love!) did not have good Canadian distribution and the book was hard to find here. And I’m not yet really known for fantasy, since Hunted is a recent release, AND my US publisher has had some changes in their company, so HUNTED didn’t get into US bookstores, and it’s only just come out in Canada from Fitzhenry & Whiteside. And I’ve never been to an Ad Astra conference before, so I knew I probably wouldn’t be known there…at a conference very specific to literary fantasy, sci-fi, and paranormal fans.
So I went to my panel–which the fantastic Lena Coakley (Witchlanders)was supposed to be on with me, but unfortunately she was sick and unable to attend–and only a few people in the audience were there. Adi, the organizer, so kindly got a lovely book blogger to sub with me, and I started looking over my notes. And then, in walked Lesley Livingston, a guest of honor at Ad Astra! (Our panels were on the same floor, a room apart.)
Lesley said hi to me, looked around, hugged me, and said that we should combine our panels. I couldn’t believe it! Lesley was so incredibly generous and kind. So off I went with her–into a room so packed some people couldn’t get seats. I had a brief moment of fear, which passed as Lesley and Adrienne were so incredibly welcoming, and the panel became such a lively, fun discussion.
And throughout the panel, both Lesley and Adrienne kept mentioning Scars and how powerful it was, and what a page turner. Adrienne prompted me to tell the audience about the kinds of responses I get from teens (like that Scars have helped readers to know
