1. Okay, so I am writing this from my hotel in Washington, DC, where I am JUST about to begin National Book Festival events. It is raining, but will that stop us? NO! If you’re in the area, the Festival is going to be awesome, rain OR shine. You can find all the details here.
2. Before I arrived here, I had two GREAT days in Toronto. The initial trip was kind of chaotic—I got to airport to find my flight had been canceled, and once I DID get rebooked, it would get me there too late for my event that evening, so I had to get a new flight through Charlotte. Basically, about six hours after I left my house I was STILL in NC, two hours away from where I started. Oh, traveling. You’re just so unpredictable. I arrived at the Toronto airport with JUST enough time to get to my event at Indigo Eaton Center. And by JUST I mean I was doing my makeup in the car, racing in with a shirt on a hanger, and changing in the stockroom. Not even kidding. Melissa, the great event coordinator, assured me AFTER I’d changed that they had no surveillance cameras in said stockroom. Which I had not even THOUGHT about. Whoops! Then I had a GREAT crowd of readers show up, who patiently waited in the longest line ever to get their books signed. They even were understanding when I had to scarf down some nuts WHILE signing because I was about to pass out. Toronto readers=rock. End of story.
3. Then, the NEXT evening, I got to do an event at a local Toronto library, with a local independent store selling books. It was also so awesome. We started with a meet and greet for contest winners, which was SO fun:
And then I had a Q&A in front of the audience with Dana from Faze Magazine, who was honestly just so stylish and cute I wished she’d give me a makeover while asking me questions:
All in all, it was a great trip and I met so many cool people. Seriously, other YA writers, if you haven’t been to Toronto on tour, you NEED to go. You will not regret it.
4. Now, as I said, I am in DC for this book festival, and tonight I am going to a reception and Gala. I cannot remember a time ever, in my life, I’ve been invited to anything called that. Apparently, it USED to be black tie, but is no more (whew!) but still, I need to look cute. Also, there MAY be super big writer names there, so I have to try my best NOT to stare/gush/swoon/embarrass myself. Easier said than done. I am always that person gawking and pumping someone’s hand, unable to put words together because I admire them so much. Well, at least I am aware of it, right?
5.Finally, I have heard from quite a few folks on this trip (and elsewhere) who are super bummed I’m not going to be blogging regularly anymore. Rest assured: I am not deleting this space, never to return. I just want to do it when I feel excited to tell you something, like, well…now. I will never take for granted all you folks who have been reading these entries for all these years. I know how lucky I am to have your attention and time, I promise you. So again, it’s not goodbye. Just, you know, see you whenever. That’s still good, right?
Okay, I have to go TRY to get myself looking respectable. Wish me luck.
Have a good day, everyone!
Ahhh! I see my friend in that photo!
Hi Shana-Kay! It was so cool that you came to Toronto, even though I didn’t the chance to see you. Maybe one day you’ll come more west of Toronto, like Mississauga, or Waterloo, and I’ll be able to see you.
Happy writing and good luck with the rest of your tour!
Hey Sarah!
It was great to see you in Toronto! I was the girl handing out the resumes and wearing the key neckllace. I told you that seeing you made my day and it did! I really hope you liked my card and the bookmark too! If you come back to Toronto again, I’ll be there!
Have a great time in D.C.
Hey Sarah! I hope you liked the card, because Toronto ADORES Sarah Dessen! I’m so glad i came both days!
Hi Sarah!
It was fantastic to see and hear you at the North York library. I’ve grown up reading your books and I enjoy them as much in my 20s as I did in my teens. It is like you said, you have never written “down” to readers, which is why I still love and relate to your characters and their stories at different stages in my life.
Have a wonderful time in DC, and as you head home!
Eleasha
-EL
Wow, it all sounds so fun and exciting! I wish I could have made it to D.C.
Hopefully some other time.
You look totally cute in your outfit, and I’m sure you’ll find something gorgeous for the gala. I read your twitter and saw that you were having slight trouble with choosing a bag. Trust me, when you’re as good an author as you are, you’ve got quite a bit of leeway in fashion blunders. Have an awesome time, and can’t wait to hear from you again!
“I am always that person gawking and pumping someone’s hand, unable to put words together because I admire them so much.”
Exactly what happened to me when I met you on Wednesday! I couldn’t even find the word while talking to you (I was the one giving you the school report about you and your books) and when I tried to take a picture of you afterwards I was literally shaking so it took me a while =)
It was soooo great meeting you!! You are the best!
I’m still bummed your not writing as much as u used to.
wasn’t able to visit u in toronto.. And won’t be able to in dc. 
this week had been pretty horrible for me. Drama at school, wasn’t able to visit you, I have water in my nose and it’s swelling up and I can’t breath and it hurts. (SUCKS!!!) on the bright side, my uncle got married today, I got a wonderful new aunt Mariana. Congrats to them! Annnndddd, I got to see my baby cousin, Haddiboo. 
I guess you could say I’ve had a sucky/wonderful week. 
:):(:(
PLEASE COME BACK TO TORONTO AGAIN SOON!
I’m glad you loved Canada. Did you go to Tim Hortons?
I had an awesome time! Loved the interview and q&a!! I wish I’d won the contest though:( also I’m a bit confused on why there was a movie poster for This Lullaby in the slide show beforehand.
Hi, Sarah! I’m justgiving constructive critisism here, I LOVE your books, I think that your new novel, which i just read in three days, “What happened to goodbye?” jumped around a little too much and was hard to follow what with the flasbacks and such i really liked it though, the ending i felt was also a little disapointing it kind of felt like it hadnt tied any loose ends. WOW run on sentence much? But again I’m such a big fan and love your books I’m not a hater!
Sarah, you sell yourself short. You are super stylish, and what makes it better is your being grounded yet extremely polished. I remember meeting you (again) in Naperville a few months ago and you blew me away with … everything.
Hi, Sarah? You *are* a super big writer name. Just sayin’. Thanks for being so awesome at what you do, and yay for writer galas!
Omigod. I’m in that picture! That’s me with the glasses wearing the purple shirt.
That meet and greet was so much fun! I can’t believe that I really got to meet the one and only Sarah Dessen! AND she signed all my books. Thanks so much Sarah! I had a really good time, and meeting you was absolutely amazing!
oops. I said purple shirt, it’s actually a sweater.
my bad.
Hi, Sarah! I just wanted to say that you’re one of the most amazing writers I’ve ever read. In fact, each time I buy one of your books, I feel a thrill of excitement, knowing that the next few hours I’ll be transported to another world entirely, where your characters and your plot holds me spellbound.
But the only problem is I live in Pakistan, and your books aren’t available here. I can only buy them every time I go abroad to the US etc. I can download them online and read them on Kindle etc, I know; but to be honest, that’s not half as much fun as holding a tangible book, feeling its satisfying weight in your hands, flipping pages. So please, this is a humble request to make your books available in my country, Pakistan. I’m sure you would gain a loyal readership if you did so. Much love.
ikr!!! you just like wrote what i wanted to say xD she is such an awsome writter and i cant find her books in Pakistan!
I’m so thrilled that you got to visit Canada, finally
It seems like they really know how to treat a girl! I think it’s so genuine that you get excited when you meet famous writers and you never consider yourself among their ranks. That tingly, excited, “did I just come across as a total, babbling idiot?” feeling you get when you meet them? Well, that’s exactly how your fans feel when we meet you. Your humble nature is really very refreshing 
-Lizz
My friend and I are just outside the frame in that pic in Toronto of the contest winners! Even though our picture didn’t make it on your blog, we absolutely loved being able to meet you. My friend was the one who had visited Chapel Hill and went to Flyleaf Books! Thanks so much for making the trip to Toronto. I hope your next trip here is a little longer and smoother!
That is SUPER cool!
I love your books SOO much !! Never stop writing, you have true talent !! I love your covers and your tittles too, the are just so original !!
HI , oh my god i love your books , i only started reading them about two weeks ago , when i finished ‘just listen’ i was thinking where have i been to not notice these books .
My favorite one is ‘along for the ride’ because so many people can relate , well not so much to her sleeping habits , i realized that i could have taken my parents divorce alot worse and shut out every one but i didn’t.
And also you have a writing style i have never come across, its very descriptive, many other authors styles are so repetitive. Please NEVER stop writing xxxxxxxxx
i dont i’ll be able to see you anywhere because im all the way over in ireland
Hi Sarah! Your Probably Not Going To Read This…But, I’d Like To Tell You How Much I Fell In Love With Your Book “Someone Like You”. I Can Relate To It So Much. I Found Myself Subsiting My Friends And Schoolmates As The Character. I Subsituted Myself For Halley.
I’d Love It If You’d Make Another Book-A Sequel To “Someone Like You”. I Want to Know How Grace Is, Has Halley Found Love?Has Scarlett Found Someone Who Loves Her For Here And The Fact THat She Has A Baby?Or Taking Advantage Of Her?Are They Grown Or No? Whats School Like Now With The Baby? What About Macon? Is Scarlett Still Dreading About Michael?What Is Scarlett Gonna Tell Grace When As She Gets Older?
If You Read This, Thankyou. You Have Been Blessed With A Great Gift Of Writing.:)
Haha, Quick Question Do You Take The Pictures For Your Book Covers? There Beautiful and match The Story Perfectly!So Classy And Original! Keep Writing!
I had no idea that your books could be translated into Lithuanian. Well, that’s the wonderful world of editing for you.
Really i m feeling happy to read this blog, Your humbleness and nature is really very refreshing and interesting.This is the highlight of this blog.