I have author crushes. The kind that transform me from a well-educated middle-aged articulate woman into a gibbering, incoherent fangirl mess. #itsawesome
The Breathless Tour (Marie Lu, Beth Revis, Jessica Spotswood, Andrea Cremer) was coming to my local Indie Bookstore (Anderson’s in Naperville) and I was beyond excited to finally meet Beth Revis in person!
Backstory: I’ve been blogger-friends with Beth since before she sold her first book, Across the Universe (YA. Science Fiction. Buy.It.You.Must.Read.It.). We had a crit-partner in common (the awesome Rebecca Carlson, who still does amazing crits for me!), and Beth has graciously answered my query-agent-trauma questions many times. I’ve followed her meteoric rise to NYTimes Bestseller status with great interest and much cheering, not just for her awesomeness, but for paving the way for YA SF for the rest of us.
I had already pre-ordered and downloaded Beth’s second book A Million Suns to my Kindle, but when I found out she was coming to town on the first stop of the Breathless tour, I couldn’t wait to get my signed copy and finally meet her in person!
When it came, I heaped my books up on the signing table and said, “Hi! I’m Susan Kaye Quinn!” I used my full name, hoping that she might remember me, and prayed I wouldn’t have to add, you know, the one who’s been stalking you for like two years and knows Rebecca and I swear I’m really not a stalker I swear.
She smiled really big and said “Hi!” back and then she gave me a hug! #squee
Then she turned to Marie Lu (who is as big as a minute and adorable) at the table next to her and said, “This is the author of Open Minds!”
At which point, my head exploded.
I’m pretty sure I stood for a full two seconds with my mouth open with nothing coming out. Then blurted something incoherent. I can’t remember what it was. Or maybe I’m blocking it out. All I could think was, omgomgomg. Marie smiled and said something nice and I eventually recovered and turned back into a semi-coherent human being again:
UPDATE: If you’re looking to win a copy of Open Minds, there’s an ebook giveaway going on at Bookworm Lisa and a paperback giveaway on Goodreads!
It is exciting isn't it? I should meet you at Anderson's for a booksigning one day! I was there last week for a booksigning! (one that I am a complete fangirl over. You don't know how excited I was when he recognized me and said, "Hi Kelly!" )
So fun!!
I was trying to decide between Ann Patchett and Cormac McCarthy, but McCarthy is generally wrinklier than most of my typical crushes, so Patchett it is! Sentences so crystal perfect they make me drool.
Beth really is awesome. I have a signed copy of AtU, but I have yet to get Suns. I need to get on that.
My author crush is James Rollins. Yes, I adore his books, it's true. π
I want to win so bad and you can give the book to me in person & save on shipping. π LOL!
And he's cute too! I may have to put up a collage of all the author crushes we have going on here!!
LOVE, LOVE Beth Revis. She's got to be my favorite YA author, but I grew up reading romance, so my all time fav is Catherine Anderson. LOVE her books.
And no fair picking Megg to save on shipping. Sheesh, Megg. LOL
π lol
Not my fault Sue & I both live in the Chicago suburbs. π
Don't worry. The Randomizer does not play favorites!! π
I would let you give the book to me in person too! (Take that Megg!)
I have many author crushes, it is so hard to pick just one. But I would have to go with Kiersten White. We had a similar story in which I met her and she recognized my name and I squeed. My husband took pictures of my Fangirl moment.
Kiersten is awesome! How can you not love her?? Sheβs so cute.
My biggest author crush is on Cassandra Clare. Ever since I first read City of Bones I have been in love with her writing style and ability to bring magic to life. I love all her books and even after TMI and ID I will continue to read whatever book she writes. Bonus for giving us Jace and Will lol.
I STILL need to read City of Bones. π
I loved Across the Universe and just picked up Legend from my library yesterday.
One of my biggest author crushes is Laurie Halse Anderson. Reading Speak blew me away. I was fortunate enough to hear her speak and meet her during her Forge tour. She. Is. Awesome.
I don't know what I was thinking! I should have gotten Legend so I could get it signed. *head desk*
I'm loving so many authors right now. But I'll have to reach back t my days of reading a lot of urban drama and erotica. Yeah, before embracing my love of YA full on, I spent part of my 20's fangirling over E. Lynn Harris. He is deceased, but I really enjoyed his writing. Not just his writing, but also his push-forward spirit, can-do attitude and his risque choice to dive into relationship dynamics that were controversial, to say the least.
Thatβs so awesome when you really connect with a writer. Iβve had many over the years. I crush easily. ο
Oh, wow, Susan!!! I am beyond jealous right now. I've been following Beth since before she got her agent, too, and I'm SO HAPPY for her! I would LOVE to meet her in person. Sadly, Montana is a bit off the beaten author path. I love the giddy enthusiasm that came through in your post. π
My favorite author crush at the moment is Karen Amanda Hooper, but my love for James Dashner and Brandon Mull is eternal. I also ADORE Shannon Messenger. π
Montana is off the beaten path for most anyone! (And Karen will be so tickled that sheβs your crush!!)
So awesome you got to meet Beth! She seems like such a nice person. My author crush is SHannon Hale. Her writing is just so gorgeous, and she's so funny! I got to take a workshop from her way back when. I hope to be as cool as her someday. π
Oh man. An author workshop with an author crush! I would be in heaven. ο
I'm glad to hear the rest of the story! Beth seems so great, I loved hearing her talk in person about her book. I picked up a paperback of Across the Universe on my way out π
It was so cool to meet you! I was just telling my SCBWI peeps that I hope you'll join us next month!
I have several author crushes that I would die to go meet in person! Andrew Smith. Ally Carter. A.S. King, and Gail Carriger!
Author crushes . . . so many, let's see . . . Francine Rivers, Jody Hedlund, and Sharon Creech.
Looks like you had a wonderful time. And your book looks wonderful.
I have way too many author crushes – but the ones that come to mind first are Shannon Hale and Regina Sirois… yes there are too many!
Oh, Sue! It looks like you had a wonderful time. How fun! Author crushes….I have so many! Laurie Halse Anderson, Shannon Hale, Hilary Wagner, Joy Cowley, Jan Yolen and so many others.
I still have Hilaryβs book sitting on my pile!! I need to get to that someday. *sigh* Too many good books.
Omigosh, Susan, that's SO cool! I adore Beth, too, and like you I've watched her ascent with bloggerly pride and awe. That tour is coming to L.A., about 3 hours from my house. I'm thinking about going, if I can tie it in with something else.
I have so many author crushes! John Green, Rick Riordan, Maggie Stiefvater, Beth, You π
Aw, you are so sweet to include me in that awesome list!! I especially needed to hear that this morning β Iβm struggling with a scene and wondering what on earth Iβve gotten myself into!! Thank you for that. π
Aw! What a lovely story of meeting Beth in real life. Of course she would remember who you are, silly thing! π π
Isnβt it funny how we forget that people are just people (well, the good ones, in any event)? Thanks for stopping by!!
That is amazing, Susan. What a fantastic experience! π Do you think JK Rowling would know me. LOL
I can only imagine the writers that DO know JK coming to her for publishing favors, you know? She has an amazing life, but I'm sure that's not the easy part!
I live too far away from civilization to enjoy such events, but I'm virtually fangirling alongside you (Beth Revis and Andrea Cremer and Marie Lu in the same room? FAINT!) (feeling a bit guilty I don't know the other author yet). That's so cool she remembered you AND YOUR BOOK but btw, I just finished Open Minds, and it's a book no one is going to forget anytime soon. Simon, jeez. No words. Simon….
Okay so yeah i would love a signed copy of A Million Suns. And if you haven't read Legend yet, you simply must.
My regret for not buying Legend and getting it signed is growing by the day. (This is the dark side of being a fangirl!! I was so focused on meeting Beth and getting her books, I didnβt pay attention to the rest of the tour!!)
And Simon. Yes. I will make it up to you in Closed Hearts, okay? Er, maybe. Ok, no promises there.:)
I'm entering! I'm fangirling over Veronica Roth right now.
Oh how exciting for you! Beth has recently done several signings here in NC but unfortunately I haven't been able to make it to one…yet π
Hmm, so many author crushes to choose from. I've gotten to know Emma Raveling, author of Whirl, over the internets the last couple of months and I adore her! Would love to meet her in person. And of course, my literary soulmate and biggest author crush is Lauren Myracle! I just heart her so much and would love to meet her someday!
Thanks for the giveaway!
π Aeicha
IDK if its still time to enter but if not my fav author crush is JK Rowling I so want to meet her!
ashtreygonesmokeya@yahoo.com
My favorite author crush : Susan Kaye Quinn (your book's just great!), also : Richelle Mead, Stephenie Meyer, J.K. Rowling, Lauren Oliver, Elizabeth Chandler, J. K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Jeaniene Frost, Cassandra Clare, Tahereh Mafi, Ally Condie, Veronica Roth and Kelley Armstrong, Beth Revis, Nancy Straight (and many others).
My email : foreverlostinbooks(at)gmail(dot)com
Aw, you are so sweet! And that list is made of awesome! π
Susan, you are so darned adorable! I love this post for so many reasons. 1) Your infectious enthusiasm 2) Beth Revis – who is so generous and approachable and a fantastic author 3) Because you are giving away a book! 4) You're fangirliness is so how I am too.
I'm a mega fan of Maggie Stiefvater, whose name I have to look up every time I type it. Her writing is beautiful and she is adorable and goofy and she plays the bagpipes.
email: kaistrand(at)yahoo(dot)com
OMG seriously? Bagpipes? That's like a 10+ factor on coolness. π (And thanks for your sweet words!!)
Oh, am I too late! That is too cool about how you got to meet Beth and she introduced you as the author of OPEN MINDS. I bet that is the greatest feeling evah!
As for author crushes… hmmm… mine change so frequently! And now that I "know" so many great authors, it's hard to pick just one! How about you? ;p
Very cool, Susan~
What an awesome moment. I inhaled A Million Suns the day it popped up on my Kindle. I'm dying for the next book in the series.
SO jealous that you two finally got to MEET EACH OTHER IN PERSON! My two very favorite author/critique partners in the world. That was too much awesome in one room. I will have to go down to the beach and stare at the vast Pacific ocean for a while until I feel better.
Yes, the gorgeousness of living in Hawaii should console you some! π LOL Seriously, it was the highlight of my month, possibly more. My husband will attest to my general crazy-happy-factor after the event!
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