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!

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