Tomorrow I leave for New York and BEA, which will also be my first work trip in, like, many months. Needless to say I am scrambling today, trying to tie up every loose end I can before I go. I have clothes, but they are not packed. Lists, but they are not done. Plans, but they are not firmed up. I am hoping all of this will happen sometime in the next twenty four hours. We’ll see.
I’m really excited about BEA, if only because it’s been so long since I went to any conferences. I missed the last two rounds of them all because I was pregnant, and then had a little baby, but now it’s time to jump back in. To be honest, I always get a little overwhelmed by these kind of industry events. I love to go and see friends, and people I only know via online, and go to cocktail parties and dinners and meet cool booksellers and librarians. That rocks. But a part of me, even before Sasha, always felt a little out of place, like it was still back here in NC, sitting on the back deck in my flipflops, listening to the frogs screech and looking up at a big, starry sky. I remember years ago, I was in Seattle doing a book tour, and the hotel where I was staying had a palm reader/tarot card person in the lobby during cocktail hour. (That’s an odd mix, I know, drinks and clairvoyance. Or maybe it’s not?) Anyway, this woman read my palm and said I would have a baby, but not for a couple of years, which turned out to be true. She also did this card thing, not tarot, but something else, and told me that I was a person who would always have two sides to my life, one in a city, one somewhere else. This wasn’t exactly true, but I did feel it had some truth to it. There’s this part of me that goes to NY and feels like all this writing stuff is real and true and BIG, and it’s great. But then I come home, and this place fits me so perfectly. I can’t imagine living anywhere else, truly. But it is fun to get a taste of a different world, or many worlds, every once in a while.
Plus, there’s the shopping. I mean, it is New York. I have officially but myself on shopping restriction but I have a feeling my fortitude will be SORELY tested. Give me strength.
I’ll be back on Monday to report on my signings and cool author sightings. At the last BEA I attended, I shared an elevator with Stephen Colbert, which I am not sure can be topped. If I DO see anyone, though, you’ll hear about it here next week and, If I’m lucky, I might even have pictures. All I know for sure is I am going to try to wear my new book tour shoes and not sprain an ankle. And while I’m in them, I intend to stand in front of my hotel, listening to the sound of honking horns and busy streets, and look up at the sky. Then, after the whirlwind of books and people and more books and more people, it’s back here to the frogs again. At least for a little while.
I hope you all have a GREAT weekend. I’ll be trying to update on Twitter, so if you’re on there, look for me. I’m @sarahdessen.
Have a great rest of the week, everyone!
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*gasp* you shared an elevator with Stephen Colbert.
Wow….:D!
YOUR TRIP
GOOD LUCK!! I hope to see you in the news and online with all your fame!
Questions
Sarah what do you think about banning books?
Re: Questions
P.S we love Just Listen!!!!
i just heard about you!
oh my God sarah! i love reading! and im always lookking for books to read! but i just heard from you by a friend, and i looked up all of your books, and i love tjem all, like literally LOVE THEM ALLL! by the way i gotta friwnd who wants me to write a book for her!; do you think its okay if i use my imagination,meaning my thoughts?
Good luck and have fun!
I love the city I live in (for university) because whilst I’m on campus it’s all green grounds, a lake and big trees and rabbits everywhere, then I can just take a bus into the busy city centre. Although I think of myself as a city kind of girl, I like to be able to retreat to somewhere calm and quiet too! It sounds like you have it in the balance.
I hope you have a great trip and have a fabulous times. I can’t wait to hear BEA stories. Good luck with getting everything done as well. I know the feeling.
question
Hello everyone and Sarah!
I am writing a book report on you, Sarah, and I was wondering if you could answer one question and clarify a few things…. if anyone else can help that would be great!
Hey!
Hey Sarah and everyone!
I am writing a book report on you, Sarah, and I was wondering if you could answer a question and clarify a few things. If anyone else can help that would be great too!
1) What is your husband’s first name? (I cannot find it! Don’t know if that’s on purpose or not!)
2) You have one brother, Matthew, and a sister, Caroline, right? And that’s it? Or no siblings at all? I don’t know I heard that you have dedicated a few books to them…
Well… that’s it. Soon though, I hope to be sending and email or letter to you with my project! Because that is kind of a section of it!
-sarahfan5 (just made that up (: )
Mrs. Dessen! I am so excited for you to be on tour. As I writer myself, I read these blogs with sparkling eyes, thinking about when I will be where you are, though, of course, not NEARLY as amazing. I truly admire your work. In fact, I’m going to be at your signing on the nineteenth of June, and you cannot believe how excited I am.
Thank you so much for blessing us all with your wonderful stories!
I know what you mean about fitting perfectly someplace i live in a city right now but every time i go home to where i grew up I get this feeling of belonging and Comfort that i just love.
I Love Your Books Ive been reading them for more then 7 years!
YOU SHARED AN ELEVATOR WITH STEPHEN COLBERT?!?!!1! I am so jealous–but in a good way! You’re right, though. It can’t be topped. Well, I guess it could, but not by too many people.
Book Tour Dates & Locations
Ms. Dessen
i was just shocked that none of your tour dates aren’t in New York. I live in Jersey and I would like to get along for the ride and get it signed by you but I guess I can’t. but Ms. Dessen please make an attempt to come to Jersey or at least New York for your book tour. I know in your blog you said you’re coming to New York yesterday but no book tours are available or what? I’m Felicia F. by the way. whenever you get a chance, Ms. Dessen please answer me back??
thanks for your time!