See That Line Way, Way Up There?

It's so high you might have trouble seeing it--try squinting real hard--but it's there. That's the bar that's been set for all future booksignings. Because I just had the Most. Awesome. Booksigning. EVER!

On Thursday night, the phenomenal Blue Willow Bookshop hosted my debut party. I already knew I loved the Blue Willow ladies (see this post), but I didn't really know what to expect.

I could not have dreamed how wonderful it would be.

As soon as I walked in the store, I knew this was going to be a magical evening. Me being, well, me, my eyes were instantly drawn to the pink and fluffy. On a table next to the front counter, the lovely ladies had set out a tray of baklava (a delicious Greek dessert), surrounded by a sea of pale pink feathers. That wine is, um, non-alcoholic Greek wine. Really.


Behind the counter, they had decorated their shelves with pink sparkly fabric and adorable Greek Ionic columns. You can't tell from the picture (duh) but they also had Greek music playing in the background. It was like walking into a pink Greek wonderland. Yay!


In front of the counter, they had a display of my books...


...and on the table they had set up for my talk and signing, they had HUGE STACKS of my books. Seriously, look at all those books. They're hiding under the table, too. (They're all mine!!!) They also had a bowl of beautiful pink roses. (The bag from Dylan's Candy Bar is mine.)


After milling around for a while, mingling, enjoying the baklava and the--ah-hem--Greek wine, girlboss Valerie called everyone to attention with her little porcelain bell. This is when I started tweaking. I was supposed to talk and I really had no idea what I was going to say.


But I knew my opening line ("I was never supposed to be a writer.") and somehow--magically--it all proceeded logically from there. (Psst, I think it might have even made sense!)


See, look at the crowd's rapt attention. It was a lovely mix of friends, fellow authors, school librarians, children who were dragged brought by their wonderful parents, and families who just happened to be stopping by the store.


Then I read a few pages from OH. MY. GODS.--since, you know, that was the whole reason for the party. (Page 78 to the end of that chapter.)


After I'd done with my spieling, I took questions. This was BY FAR my favorite part! I could answer questions all day, and everyone asked such wonderful questions. (Even the girls who'd read the book managed to ask spoiler-free ones!)

When all questions were asked and answered, it was time to sign. I felt like such a rockstar (maybe because I was wearing my rockstar undies--yes, seriously) with my sparkly French manicure and signing with the gorgeous hot pink pen the lovely ladies of Blue Willow gave me as a debut gift.

(This is the most awesome pen I have ever used, and I am extraordinarily picky about my pens. I'll never be able to sign with anything else!)


Finally, the attendees took their signed books and went home. The Blue Willow ladies took this lovely picture of me and my parents. (Mom and Dad won the award for traveling the furthest--they flew in from Oklahoma City just for my party!!! Yes, they're awesome.)


In my wildest, wickedest, most creative imagination, I could not have pictured a more perfect debut party. From the moment I walked in the door until the moment after the crowd had gone when the Blue Willow ladies begged (okay, asked) for a hint of what the sequel has in store, I felt as special as a #1 New York Times bestseller. And if (when?!?) that ever happens for real, can you guess where I'll have the party?

Thank you, Valerie, Cathy, Becky, and Michelle, for perfection.

Hugs,
TLC