A Quick Update

I saw Angela James the editor from Samhain briefly in the hallway this morning. The "rogue" digital panel was attended by almost 90 people.  That's where Katiebabs won her Sony Reader.

Janet Evanovich was funny, instructive, and evocative at the conference opening.   Her sage advice to writers is almost word for word the same as Nora Roberts...  Sit your a$$ in the chair and write.  It's a job, and Ms. Evanovich advises a writer needs to treat it like one.  Those who attended Evanovich's event got a copy of her HOW I WRITE book.

Linda Howard's keynote speech was a hilarious accounting of how she's the "Keeper of the Nuts" in her family.  After an uproarious anecdote about her brother, a riding lawn mower, a wheel chair and a bungee cord, she called her former sister-in-law a "Stupid Slut" and brought the house down.  I'm so glad I came to DC and that luncheon is one of them.  

The Avon signing was pretty busy.  I was surprised to see authors there without any books to sign.  Kelley Armstrong for one.  However they gamely stuck around and spoke with people.  I chatted a bit with Anna Campbell and got a couple of books signed by Julia Quinn.  I'm limiting the book intake, one due to the depth and breadth of my tbr and for two, I have to ship all those suckers home this year.

I even managed to get SMART A$$ signed by LB Gregg and believe me when I tell you, it wasn't easy!

A couple of other things I remember from last night's Literacy signing --  

When speaking with Robyn Carr she gave me the news saying it's not really a secret any more that she has been signed to have book releases in Jan, Feb and March the next three years.  

Jennifer Crusie was a hoot and we spoke briefly about how she validated us bloggers when she said people who write consistently are writers...  I won a book on Paperback Writer's blog by wearing that validation like a badge.  Actually I was being cheeky, but you know, I got the book so it's all good.  

I also told JC how much fun it was to check out how she transformed Anne Stuart's bright pink suitcase affectionately known as "the pig".  Too funny.  

Which reminds me, while speaking to Ms. Stuart last night I mentioned that I know a certain Canadian that only wants books signed by AS.  Ms. Stuart seemed to really get a kick out of that.

More later.  I gotta go get ready for dinner.  I've spoken about other blogger readers I've seen around the neighborhood, but I thought I'd list those I can remember off the top of my head...

Lisabea

Kristie(j)

Super Librarian

Aztec Lady

Aymless

Katiebabs

Katidom

Lusty Reader

Gossamer Obsessions (Anime June)

Happily Forever After

Jane (Dear Author)