Monday, May 13, 2013

Science Fiction Night with Lauren Oliver, Tamara Ireland Stone, Lenore Appelhans, and Antony John in St. Louis

Welcome back, everyone! I have to gush like a crazy fan girl when I tell you what a terrific event I went to a week ago. I was frantically tweeting all the authors prior to the event. I've already done interviews with the terrific Lauren Oliver and Antony John, but newcomers to my blog, Tamara and Lenore have also graciously agreed to do an interview and giveaway for you guys!!!

And now back to the event. Lauren Oliver was terrific and funny as usual. She talked about her father who inspires her and wrote books about serial killers (a little different than her genre). She also mentioned that she worked two jobs on top of being a grad student and wrote most of Before I Fall on her blackberry with her lightning thumbs. Although I knew that fact from her last visit to St. Louis, it still never fails to amaze me. She also refuses to choose between her two male characters in the Delirium trilogy-- that secret will die with her. Last little tidbit-- she got another tattoo. :-)

 Antony John is the only author local to St. Louis. I am lucky enough to serve as his beta reader occasionally. He talked about his favorite character in Elemental, who is the fiery and strong character, Alice. He also mentioned the worst job he ever had consisted of driving around the same circuit for a straight 12-14 hours dropping people off. He said that the only way he stayed sane was keeping a book at his fingertips so that he could read a line or two before he had to start driving again.



Lenore was a total hoot. She talked about how showers and naps are essential to be a writer. Although too many naps means not as much writing. She also talked about how her worst job was when she was 8 years old and served as a babysitter for a bratty kid that would jump on her as soon as her mother was out of sight, pound her face into the ground and scream, "EAT GRASS, EAT GRASS!" I have to admit that I've never heard of such a terrible job! She also mentioned that her favorite character in her book Level 2 was her main character's father. He is a composer and records frolicking goats. She even did a demonstration! You had to be there to experience this wonder.


The last author was the very sweet and very successful Tamara Ireland Stone. She wrote Time Between Us and talked about working for Steve Jobs back in the day. Apparently, she never bought any Apple stock. Which is kind of where the idea of the book came from, as she would definitely go back in time and buy as much stock back then as she could ;-) I also love that she would go back in time and see some of the great bands play at different venues. I think it would be so cool to do that-- like to see Dave Matthews Band before they got big or something! She is also writing a follow up book in Bennett's voice. If that weren't enough, she gives terrific hugs!

I got to schmooze with these terrific ladies (and guy) afterwards and get a ton of books signed :-) The best part of the night was going out afterwards to talk with these great authors and eat a yummy meal at a pub in St Louis until midnight. Sorry, readers, the secrets revealed during this time will die with me ;-)


And just to sweeten the pot, here's a new giveaway. For US winners only, a signed copy of a gently used and twice read copy of Before I Fall, one of my favorite books of all time!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

25 comments:

  1. I've never been to an author event before, but I'd love to meet Cassandra Clare. I'm head over hills in love with her books! Thanks for this awesome giveaway!!

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  2. I love Lauren Oliver. she's ten times more beautiful in person and she seemed to be the type of person you'd want to have as a friend to hang out with.

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  3. That is so cool! Awesome giveaway!
    I am totally excited about this! Thanks so much for the opportunity!

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  4. Wow, sounds like you had a blast!!

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  5. Fantastic report. Thanks for sharing your adventure!

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  6. I would love to meet Diane Chamberlain.

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  7. Sounds like a super fun event! I love meeting authors especially when they are so down to earth and personable!

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  8. David Letterer - writes books on proper English - was so funny

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  9. I haven't been to any auther events (sadly) I don't know if there have been any around where I live. I would love to go to one with Colleen Hoover or Abbi Glines. I would also LOVE it if I could meet J.K. Rowling...I think she's a genius.

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  10. Either Diana Gabaldon or Susan Elizabeth Phillips!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  11. I've never been but would love to meet Jennifer Armentrout, Colleen Hoover, CJ Roberts and many more! thanks!

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  12. I was lucky enough to meet John Green when he toured around.
    It was amazing to hear him read Fault in our Stars aloud to an audience.

    and then we rocked with Hank and John singing. It was a very fun event!

    and I have photos of him! :D

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  13. I have always really wanted to meet Jude Deveraux, AG Howard, Marissa Meyer, and Sara Shepard! Thank you!

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  14. Wow! Great group of authors in one place.

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  15. Back when I used to work for Waldenbooks we had a big author event with like 8 or 9 authors and I had to put it together. It was a blast. Granted we didnt get to many people showing up but we had fun and I loved doing author signings. I also really enjoyed setting up a signing with Jennifer Rardin. She was a riot. I am hoping to go to the RT convention next year. Those are supposed to be soo much fun.
    -Amber

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  16. Haven't been to one. Would like to meet Abbi Glines

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  17. I would love to meet Veronica Roth, Tahereh Mafi, Sarah Dessen, Kaleb Nation, and the list goes on and on.

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  18. I've only been to two author events, but I have to say, my favorite one was D.J. MacHale (Pendragon series). He was extremely nice and signed all of my books!

    Thanks for hosting a giveaway!

    -Sonnie

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  19. I've never been to an author event (I live int he middle of nowhere, as in, until about a year ago, there were no Starbucks stores within at least 50 miles)

    but... I imagine Leigh Bardugo would be so much fun to meet.

    Brynna

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  20. I really enjoyed going to RT in Kansas City and finally meeting Sarah Rees Brennan! She was awesome =D Beth Revis was also really cool ^^

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  21. I've never been to one. But, I'd be delighted to meet some authors if they ever came around here.

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  22. I've been to three signings ever Lauren Kate, Maria V Snyder and Richelle Mead and I'd have to say they were all very special to me :)

    If I could meet any writer I'd have to say Maggie Stiefvater, but I've got so many more Authors I'd love to meet, but only if I could pick one LOL

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  23. I went to the RT Booklover's convention for Teen Day and that was AWESOME because I got to meet a bunch of my FAVORITE authors there! If I was to meet one author though, it would have to be either Cassandra Clare or J.K. Rowling!

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  24. I sadly haven't gotten to go to any event. (The downside of living in a small town.) I would love to meet Stephenie Meyer and Lauren Oliver, Cynthia Hand, Tahereh Mafi & Veronica Roth. There are SO many more.

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  25. OMG what an incredible event, I wish I could attend one.
    Viviana Ortiz

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