I went to what felt like my first legit YA author event on November 9: Leigh Bardugo at Parnassus Books in Nashville! It’s about a 45 minute drive for me and it was completely worth it! (Not to mention that I got to pick up a slice of my absolute favorite cheesecake before I headed home… but anyhow…) Last year I saw Kat Zhang at a local Barnes & Noble when she was part of a local author signing, so I got her to sign the first two books of The Hybrid Chronicles, neither of which I had read yet at the time, and chatted with her briefly. This event was more like what I have seen other bloggers post about, and I was glad to finally have one of these experiences of my own, especially since I just came to love the Grisha trilogy so much this year!
Some bloggers take good notes during these events, but I didn’t, so here’s just a quick recap:
- She shared about what her younger self thought via some of her old diary entries. I have to say that was brave; I can’t imagine sharing my old journals with a crowd of people like that! But then again, maybe I would share a snippet or two to make a point, just as she did. She used it as a segway to discuss…
- She talked about why she’s proud to write genre fiction. One thing younger Leigh pleaded with older Leigh was to remember how important young people are, which I thought was so neat for someone who grew up to YA fiction. She talked about how while, yes, genre fiction may be escapist, really so is ALL FICTION. She talked about how readers of genre fiction are the ones who will always be waiting for that letter from Hogwart’s or looking for the door to lead to Narnia, and considering when I was younger I was always hoping to find that door to Narnia, that really resonated with me. Some people (probably not anyone reading this now though) might think that’s silly and childish, but it’s about imagination. Anyhow, I just really appreciated it.
- She read a decent-length excerpt from Six of Crows. It was hard for me to pay attention to the whole thing just because I’m bad at listening to things being read in general, but the concept is definitely interesting (a heist in an underworld trade society within the Grisha universe) and I’m looking forward to it.
- She answered questions about characters and writing. I don’t have anything specific to note here, except it’s always nice to hear authors share their struggles with writing.
When it was all over it was time for the signing part! So, if you follow Leigh on social media you know about the dice you could get if you bought one of her books from the hosting bookstore. So of course I wanted to get on that, so I bought another PB copy of Shadow and Bone as a present for a family member. Well, apparently everyone else who was buying their books did it beforehand (smart), but since I waited until after, I ended up the back of the signing line. BUT I did get the dice, which is important, and I still got to meet Leigh and get my stack of books signed plus other swag, also important! I had not really thought of what to say to her, but I decided at the last moment to mention my Grisha wedding inspiration post that I knew she had seen (thanks to tumblr), and she remembered it and said she loved it! I told her it made my day when I saw she liked the link, and she said it made her day when she saw the post! So that was a cool moment. (Then recently I tweeted her a link to the other posts because she said she wanted to see more and she tweeted me back saying she loved them all!)
And of course, pictures or it didn’t happen…
Have you ever gotten to meet one of your favorite authors? What’s your favorite memory from an author meeting?
Leigh is so friendly and nice! I saw her at the DBC and she is so fun to listen to! I can’t wait for her next book..I had not heard about it until this post and it sounds awesome.
She was fun to listen to! So expressive! And the new book definitely sounds awesome!
Darn, I wish I had a Sturmhond quote in my book! It’s so cool that Leigh asked before signing it. And I love the dice! So great that you got to see her Amy!
I thought that was neat too! A girl in front of me had a Sturmhond quote on her shirt and Leigh’s like, “So I’m guessing Sturmhond’s your favorite character?” Ha ha.
I HATE YOU TO HEAVEN AND HELL AND BACK BECAUSE I REALLY WANT THAT DICE BUT AT THE SAME TIME I AM REALLY REALLY HAPPY FOR YOU
Don’t hate me, Shanelle! 😉
Isn’t she awesome?! I’m so jealous that she didn’t come to Houston (again — I’m spoiled)! I am DROOOOLING over those dice!
One of my other friends from Houston was jealous too! You do get a lot if author signings though! The dice are neat; so glad I got them!
That is so awesome. She sounds really nice and fun to year from 🙂 and I’m so glad you got the dice and all the swag even at the back of the line!
I have to admit – I’m kind of jealous. Leigh is definitely at the top of my list of authors to meet and get my books signed. Especially since I got to meet Maggie Stiefvater and now have signed (thus far) set of the Raven Cycle. Leigh is the one I want most now 🙂
Leigh Bardugo and Marissa Meyer are the two authors that for me have been like if they came here I would HAVE to go! So now I’ve got to wait for Marissa, but I am so glad I did get to meet Leigh!
I love when stuff like this is close to home- 45 mins isn’t bad! I haven’t read these yet, but from all the love they get, they must be pretty amazing. And love the stuff you got, very nice!
I really enjoyed all three books! Definitely check them out if you’re interested in fantasy!
Like you, I haven’t been to many author meetings, so I think it’s awesome that you got to meet Leigh Bardugo!! 😀 Would have to disagree on who is the best character though — the Darkling has everyone beat 😉
I did go to the National Book Festival in D.C. once and I got to meet Michael Grant and get a book signed, but I totally blanked when it came to chatting with him (so props to you!). He had mentioned during his author talk that he loved the show Lost, so I really should’ve asked him what his favorite character was, haha (Not to mention that he looks a lot like one of the characters!).
It’s always fun when an author you like also likes other things you like. Makes you think, “Hmmm… guess they just have good taste!” 😀
Sorry for commenting on an old post, but I’m in the middle of reading Siege and Storm for the first time. How did I not read this trilogy before? I’m loving it. AND I get to meet her in March and your post got me extra excited about it! 🙂
Yay! So glad you’re loving the books! Leigh is really cool; you’ll enjoy meeting her!