1. You didn’t think I’d actually be able to WAIT to show this picture, do you? Or that I was cool enough to NOT ask for a picture from her at BEA? Please. I know I have a million other things to tell you about as well—this week has been, really, insane—but my speech at the Children’s Breakfast on Tuesday morning was the biggest thing I’ve done in a while. Or, um, ever. The room was HUGE, packed with people, and I was sitting with Brian Selznick on one side and Kevin Henkes on the other, and on THEIR sides were Katherine Patterson (!) and Julianne Moore (!!!!). If you require proof (and I know, it sounds far-fetched) I have this, courtesy of Shelf Awareness:
So, yes, it really DID happen. Apparently. It was all such a blur, but of the best kind. Also, I was so nervous about this speech for such an esteemed crowd in seriously impressive company that I didn’t sleep for, like, 36 hours. I couldn’t. The night before was one of those where I kept looking at the clock, desperate to drift off, saying things to myself like, “If I fall asleep now, I’ll still get five hours. Four hours….three hours….oh, well, time to wake up, here we go!” Thank goodness for adrenaline, is all I can say. In the end, though, it went really well. Which is to say, I did not trip, pass out, or get booed off stage, all things I’d had nightmares about happening. I was up, my heart was racing, I looked out into the crowd and saw my agent and friends from Penguin, and I just….did it. Whew! I think by the time I sat down I’d lost about five pounds of pure anxiety. But it was totally, totally, worth it.
2. Then, after the breakfast, I did a great signing, where I met 200 people in rapid-fire fashion. It was, in a word, awesome. When that was done, I headed outside to the SweeteryNYC truck, which was parked RIGHT outside the Javits Center, to hand out Whoopie Pies. Check it out:
As much as I enjoyed my speech (once I stopped having palpitations) I was much more at ease handing out food. Because that, at least, I have done before. It was so much fun they basically had to drag me away when my time was up. And seriously: I had never had a whoopie pie, but OH my goodness. It’s like Moon Pie, but with the best cookie on either side instead of an oatmeal thing. YUM! A friend sent me a cookbook solely dedicated to whoopie pies, so I can already tell what I’ll be doing once all this touring stuff is done. Stuffing my face. I.cannot.wait.
3. Speaking of the tour, I’m almost over with phase one, and it’s just been so much fun. I can’t even tell you. I had a great crowd and so much fun in Dallas at the Museum of Art (and, um, the flagship Neiman Marcus: my credit card is still smoking whenever I open my wallet). And I LOVED my event at the Barnes and Noble in Carle Place, on Long Island in New York. The girls were all so sweet! I loved these two, who made up shirts entirely covered with sayings from my books:
Also, to the VERY kind girl who brought me both Sharpies AND Hershey’s Dark Chocolate and Almond nuggets? Who said it was a thank you gift for coming to her state? Your card got all tangled up with a bunch of others, so I’m freaking that I can’t thank you by name. But know this: the next day, when I was a mess of nerves, I was SO GRATEFUL to have that bag of chocolates. You got me off the ledge. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
4. After the longest/best day ever on Tuesday, I headed out of New York on Wednesday super early to come home to the family. When I walked in my dogs were waiting, as well as this:
I almost burst into tears right there, I’m not going to lie. A few minutes later my daughter arrived home, and we sat and ate gummi bears together. I was so, so happy to be back with her. I can’t stop touching her, kissing her, smoothing her hair. She is swatting me away like an annoying mosquito, but I won’t stop. My dogs, however, are still playing hard to get, the way they always do once they realize I am home for good for awhile. I have a box of Alpo treats, though, and it shouldn’t be too hard to win them back over. I hope.
5. Finally, just yet another HUGE thank you to all of you reading this for everything from helping me pick my shoes for the tour to reassuring me when I was freaking out and all else in between. Thank you for reading my books, and your kind words, and for making me feel, especially when far from home, that I was never really totally alone. You guys are the best. Tonight, Thursday, I’m doing my last appearance for awhile, at the Chatham County Public Library with McIntyre’s Books, at 7pm, after which point I promise to crawl under a rock for a little while. And meanwhile…it’s almost officially summer! Memorial Day this weekend, and today was my daughter’s last day of preschool. Sob! Parents were allowed to stay or come early, so I showed up just in time to get to read the class a couple of picture books. I know, right? All this craziness, touring, appearances, and then there I am, in front of ten squirming preschoolers, reading Corduroy Goes to the Beach and The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark. I kept asking the other parents, “Anyone else want to have a turn at this? Really?” But no one did. I love my readers, but can I just say, this was one of my best gigs ever. Mostly because my favorite face was there in the crowd, right in front of me.
6. Yes, I know this is a five. I think a six is unprecedented. BUT I know there are some of you who may be wondering what I wore to BEA, since I was obsessing about it for, um, months. But for those of you who could care less, you can skip this part. Enquiring minds, though: this one is for you. And yes, my Vanna White pose is supposed to be a joke. God forbid I ever take myself that seriously. But if I did, you of all folks would let me know:
Have a great long weekend, everyone!!!
At Carle Place it was so epic when you stood on the chair!
It’s so cool that you have your own wrap on that truck!!!:) If I ever saw it in person, I’d faint.
You look beautiful, Ms. Dessen! And your new books is one of my favorites of yours (although, who am I kidding, they’re all my favorite). Thank you for sharing all your tour pictures and info for those of us way over on the West coast, I love hearing all about it and I can almost taste those whoopie pies. Thank you for all you do to make readers feel appreciated and included in your writing (and eating, and shopping!) life, I really appreciate it and I know I’m not alone.
FYI – Starbucks now has mini red velvet whoopie pies that are delightful! (and small, so not crazy horrible for you…though I think you shouldn’t think about those things when enjoying whoopie pies =)
Congratulations on all your success!
Oh my gosh I LOVE your shoes!
I love her shoes also!!!
Keep up the great work on your books! I am just about to finish “Along for the Ride”, its a real nail biter!
Yay! I’m so happy it all went well! You look FABULOUS, I love the shoes.
First time visiting your blog here, and I love it! Congratulations on everything, Sarah!
Hi Sarah! I just finished reading your interview in the July/August issue of WD, and wanted to check out your blog. I’m glad you enjoyed Book Expo so much. Your dress is great! Good choice
And how cool that you met Julianne Moore! I love her.
I’m a YA fantasy writer with one book published with Solstice Publishing (the publisher was at the Expo), and really enjoyed your insights in writing for this wonderful audience. Good luck on your new book. Welcome home!
Andrea
This may have an obvious DUH answer, but what is WD and is there a link to the interview?
Love the dress and the shoes! You look pretty! I finally started reading What Happened To Goodbye. Your books are such a great escape! Take care and have a lovely long weekend!
I love the outfit, you look amazing in it. I’m glad the tour was so successful. Congrats.
Sounds amazing, congrats on the end of the tour! I can’t believe you met Julianne Moore, I’m so jealous. Well, hope you’ll still keep all of us fans up to date on the blog during your resting months. Best of luck with everything.
Love the whoopie pie truck that is so awesome. I was planning on making the treck to the library tonight but I have two sick kiddos are dragging them on a 7+ hour car ride would not have ended well. I will make it to the one in june or sept though! Can’t wait to meet you!
Whitney*
I am so glad that everything went well for you at BEA! Your reading in Carle Place was so much fun! I was stuck in the stacks but your speech and reading were still enjoyable without being able to see you. I love that you tried to include us during the trivia. I was in line in front of the t-shirt girls you posted the photo of. They were so sweet and the younger one really knew her trivia but was too shy to come out to answer it! I’m so glad you came to Long Island! <3
I was the older girl with the shirt standing behind you in line
My sister and I were SO excited! It was a lot of fun – even from waaay behind the stacks! haha
I’ve been reading your blog for about 7 years and never get bored with it! You look wonderful. I love your life and you are definitely an author to aspire to. Welcome home!
YOU HAVE KILLER LEGS!! Congratulations on everything, Sarah, and I hope (far-fetchedly? Who cares!) that you’ll tour Canada someday
I am extremely sad you’re not coming to Lawrence, Kansas. I love your books so much and have all of them, to meet you and get my books signed would be amazing. So sometime come visit, remember like dorothy says, there’s no place like home or kansas. We’d love to see you sometime
-Lauren
You were awesome at the Children’s Breakfast–nice treats in the goodie bag too! I loved your dress_speech was perfecto~ sorry I missed your sweet truck. What a great Morning__! Congrats*
Oh golly Sarah! Your are like the best novelist ever!! Your books are breath taking and truly are a huge relief from everything else (nice to get away sometimes). I honestly have no idea how you come up with this stuff, but saying your talented is waay understated
Anyway, proud that you finished the amazing tour!! Looks like it was a lot of fun, and your dress is adorable. Kinda poopy that you weren’t able to come to the PNW though!! Can’t wait to hear about you selling books with messages in them. My friend needs a grad gift that will make her faint…
Have a great time at home and don’t stop writing in your blog, I want to hear about those whoopie pies you’ll be making from that book!!
Have fun and CONGRADULATIONS!!!!
Cute picture of you and Julianne Moore, and your BEA outfit was great! Love the dress, cardigan, and shoes!
Those heels really look nice on you! I wish i was there too!!
You seriously, like, rocked at Long Island. I was stuck in the stacks, but it was still so awesome and sweet of you to stand up on the chair. I was standing right behind those girls, they were very sweet. By the way, didn’t get a chance to say, I loved your wedges in Long Island! Come to Long Island again!
♥
You look gorgeous! I love your dress. Perfect choice.