Triple Threat Recap

On Thursday afternoon (Feb. 28) I received a tweet from the lovely Lady Reader's Bookstuff inquiring if was going to be at that evening's author event at the Barnes and Noble in Alpharetta, GA. In my head I previously decided not to go. I kinda wanted to because I LOVE author events but the location of the signing is about 2 hours from my house. I was just going to sit this one out. Well the more I thought about it and looked at the authors and their books, I made the spontaneous decision to go. 

It's times like these I am so thankful for my loving, encouraging, up for whatever whim suits my fancy, darling husband. He was sick but he went with me without complaint and even took photos for me! When we get books signed we usually have the author make them out to "Allison & Clayton." This usually gives the author pause but I tell them, "The family that reads together stays together." He's the best. That's all I'm sayin'.

The Triple Threat Tour event featured Megan Miranda author of HYSTERIA, Robin Benway author of ALSO KNOWN AS, and Yelena Black author DANCE OF SHADOWS. I didn't have any of their books so I'm the proud new owner of the three books listed above! Yay more books! (Cause I will NEVER have enough books!)

The authors did readings from their current books which really got me hooked. I can't wait to dig into each book! Then they took some audience questions. And finally got to the signing. The event was on the smaller side which provided some nice one on one time with the authors which was awesome. They were all super nice and gracious. 

The following is paraphrased from my notes from the event.

One of audience questions that generated answers I found interesting was, "What started your writing career?"  I love this question/answer because it highlights how no two authors take the same path. And how even the best got rejected once upon a time!

Megan Miranda--Went to school for science. She was home with her small kids and just worn down when her husband made some remark about "When are you going to write that book?" That was the motivation she needed. :) (In another part of the q & a she did mention that she has incorporated her scientific background in her books.)

Yelena Black--Always wanted to be a writer. She majored in English and got her MFA. Although she did think she'd be writing adult fiction rather than YA.

Robin Benway--Said she didn't know how to be a writer. So she worked in publishing which made her want to be a writer more. She applied to different MFA programs and got rejected by the all...on the SAME day. So she quit her job, took a year off, took a lot of wrong turns but got to the right place. (Later in the q & a she mentioned her love of Sociology. She loves writing families and sympathetic parents.)

*Alli's note: I think that's awesome because so many YA main characters have parents that aren't in the picture for whatever reason.

From left to right 

Authors:

Megan Miranda, Yelena Black, & Robin Benway

Yelena Black 

Megan Miranda

Signing and Chatting

Robin Benway & Me

More Signing! 

Me & Megan Miranda

Me & Yelena Black

And perhaps my FAVORITE photo of the evening, me (on the left) and Yelena were nail twins! We nail opposites but we totally matched the book! Nail art and books. Ah! My favorite things in one!