TLC in the Big Apple

After all the hubub and glitz in Washington, DC, I hopped on a train for New York. RITA had her own special travel tote and got to have her own seat all the way up.


(I seriously love train travel, btw, and am considering buying an Amtrak pass and setting out cross-country.) When we got to the city, after checking into my fabulous hotel (the Wyndham Garden Times Square South—the shower was so amazing, I could have showered 24/7) I headed out for my favorite New York pizza, Famiglia, for a cheese calzone and garlic knots.


The next day, since I didn't have any meetings scheduled, I decided to be a tourist. I headed to one of my favorite spots in the city: the Metropolitan museum.


Only there was one thing I had not considered. It was summer. I'd never been in the city in the summer, only during the school year, and I was totally unprepared for the throng of people filling the museum.

So, rather than fight the crowd, I walked down Fifth Avenue.


To the Frick Collection, which is smaller and less well-known, but still amazing. (They don't let you take pictures, but I snuck a couple.)


That night there was supposed to be a teen authors drinks night at Sweet and Viscious, a cute little bar in SoHo. I got there early, so I stopped in at Rice to Riches (on Kirsty's recommendation) and had some truly amazing caramel rice pudding.


Then I headed to the meeting spot, which had very cool pink lights behind the bar.


Unfortunately, it was raining (at least, I hope that's why) and no one showed up. Not one other author. Sniff, sniff. That's okay, it was still a delightful time. I drowned my sorrows at Kate's Paperie and the flagship Sephora.

The following day I had appointments to visit my publishers. First up was HarperCollins (home of Katherine Tegen Books—publishers of Forgive My Fins and the untitled-and-unwritten sequel), located just around the corner from the Museum of Modern Art. (I stopped in at the gift shop to get a present for my dad and to cool off in the air conditioning.) We had a fun roundtable meeting and everyone was so excited to meet RITA.


Then I headed downtown to Penguin Young Readers (home of Dutton Children's Books—publishers of Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp) and met the wonderful team there. And, of course, showed off RITA. (First I stopped off in the Starbucks downstairs to cool off—are you sensing a pattern here?)


Then I headed out to Brooklyn to have dinner with my agent. I didn't take any pictures there because, well, it's Brooklyn. Just kidding. It was just in and out for dinner.

I had so much fun meeting everyone and seeing the offices (they weren't nearly as full of manuscript stacks as I'd imagined—but, then again, I bet most stuff comes in via email now). I was sad to leave. The next morning. At 4:30am.


Hopefully I'll be back soon. But not in summer. Never again.

Hugs,
TLC