Armchair BEA #2: Author Interaction and More Than Just Words

Design by Amber of Shelf Notes

Armchair BEA 

Author Interaction

Let’s talk interacting with authors IRL (in real life) or online. This is your opportunity to talk about your favorite author readings that you have attended. Or, you can feature your favorite author fan moment (i.e., an author sent you a tweet or commented on your blog). Maybe you even want to share how your interactions have changed since becoming a blogger or share your own tips that you have learned along the way when interacting with authors as a blogger.

I am a newbie, so I haven't had too many author interactions, but all the ones that I have had have been pretty awesome! Like total fangirling moments for me.

The first author I have ever met was Isaac Marion (author of Warm Bodies). Oh. My. Goodness. I was a nervous wreck. I blushed every time he talked to me. I was so flustered that when I got him to sign a book for my (practically) brother & sister-in-law, I spelled her name wrong. It was so embarrassing! (For me!) 

He asked me to spell it like 5 times (I guess I was talking too low) and the last time I spelled it wrong. 

But I got to meet him, (which was and still is one of my favorite memories) and I got my picture taken with him and one of my bestest friends. 

Tip: Maybe write on a sticky note the name that you want written in your book when you get it personalized at a signing. Even if it is yours. Because if you are shy like me...you might even spell your own name wrong when you become a flustered mess.

But of course, I didn't follow this tip when I went and met Anna Banks. I was once again a nervous, shy mess. And I almost spelled my own name wrong. (Again embarrassing!) 

But it was amazing. I got to talk to her for a little bit and get Of Neptune signed. Also got a picture with her. She is funny and so, so, nice! I am SO happy that I got to meet her.

And she is also awesome online. I love her tweets (they can be really funny!)

And she even commented on my blog post for of Of Poseidon Fan Cast.

I was SO EXCITED when I saw that! Like ready to flail and I even texted my friend to share with her. It was a pretty awesome moment. She also shared my fan cast on her Twitter. 

And I was so excited that she gave me a good idea for a character that I couldn't come up with. And I love her pick! 

I also recently met the lovely Lynne Matson (author of NIL). Which was another amazing moment. This time I brought my two girls with me, and Cutie Pie drew a picture of an island for Lynne. Which was fun. She signed my book and gave me some bookmarks and a poster. So nice. She is a very warm, sweet person and I am so glad I was able to meet her! 

I have had a couple author interactions online as well.

Marissa Meyer (author of Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress) is one of my absolute favorite authors! Serisoulsy, I completely fangirl over her. And if when I finally get the chance to meet her in person, I am going to be a shy mess. 

So back last year, Marissa had a challenge for NaNoWriMo. So I decided to participate, knowing that I wouldn't win, but I was so happy for the challenge. It was the first time I ever participated and it was WONDERFUL being so motivated to keep writing. And at the end of November, I emailed her to thank her for the inspiration and she responded. It totally made my day/week/month. In fact, I am still giddy that she emailed me back. 

Also, this past February, I decided to make my Love a Lunar Chronicles valentine. Featuring Iko (well as best as I could draw, which is not very well) and a quote from the book. And I shared it on Twitter tagging Marissa, because I hoped she would see it. And she did, she even retweeted it, which also made my day/week/month!

Also, (seriously if you can't tell...I just adore Marissa!) she has answered a few of my questions. She answered one in an interview by RayKayBooks. Which was very exciting. 

She also answered a question I had during her online Cress launch party live-stream. Which was also incredible. 

I also enjoy conversing online with Sara Raasch (author of Snow Like Ashes out in October!). She is so sweet and friendly. I definitely hope that I get a chance to meet her in real life. 

And I just LOVE watching her Youtube videos! 

I am still kinda shy when it comes to even talking to authors online like Twitter. I don't tag them often because I don't want to be bothersome. But ANYTIME an author follows, favorites, talks to me/replies...I just get very excited and it is a wonderful feeling. 

And I probably would not have had these experiences if I wouldn't have started blogging. There are times that I really wish I would have started blogging earlier, but then I remember I didn't really have much a chance, because even in High School, I wasn't on the internet that much. I still had Dial-up at my house. But I do wish, I would have started a few years ago, instead of just recently. 

Being able to talk to authors and other bloggers has made my life brighter. It makes me happy and excited. And it is nice having people that like the same books as me. :D

So yes, I am a total Fangirl. If I went to a conference like BEA, I would be very overwhelmed. But I do hope that I get the chance to meet more authors and even attend a conference sometime in my future. 

More Than Just Words

There are so many mediums that feature more than just words and enhance a story in a multitude of ways. Examples may include graphic novels and comics, audiobooks, or even multimedia novels. On this day, we will be talking about those books and formats that move beyond just the words and use other ways to experience a story. Which books stand out to you in these different formats?

I love graphic novels and comic books. I haven't really listened to any audiobooks, but I do plan on starting. 

(In fact, in case you don't already know and like audiobooks, this summer, AudioBookSync, will have audiobooks (1 YA & 1 Classic) available for download each week, until August 20. This week's YA is Cruel Beauty and it ends the 28th!)

Back, to the topic. I have enjoyed a few graphic novels like Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O'Malley and Dr. Horrible by Zack Whedon. I do want to read some more. 

And I enjoy comic books. I have some Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics. And I like X-men comics. And I have read my daughter's My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic comics. 

Graphic novels and comics stand out to me the most because I enjoy the drawings that are part of them. It is fun watching the picture frames change and tell us more than what is written.