Yikes! It's bedtime of my first day home from leg 1 of the Torso Tour (as we're calling it now--note similarities in covers for our recent books) and I still haven't managed to post to my blog! No way I'm going to be able to report on everything. Libba has been doing a find job on her blog--check that out, and I'll try to fill in details here, enhanced by some visual aids, because I adore them so.
Maggie and I have a day at the beach! Or an hour anyway. She and my mom joined me at the fabulous Asilomar teachers' conference. Because my schedule was so insane after that, she and my mom went home. My first night away from her EVER. Okay, there might have been some tears. On my part.
Just minutes into our tour, Libba and I already cling to each other with the most genuine sisterly affection! (or for fear of heights? or the cold? No, I'm going with affection.)
Alcatraz in the background. And we display the quiet dignity that best describes us in all circumstances.
Stock signing at Book Passage--I was speaking to Paris (I hope I remembered your name, love!) about the PA contest (which was supposed to be announced yesterday--sorry, we picked the winners but needed to alert them first before I post it here) and how the winner gets a phone call from me, among other stuff. I asked her if she thought that was silly, and she said, "No, I'd love to get a call from an author." So I borrowed Libba's phone, called my phone, and let Paris talk to Libba. And, voila! I know, I know, my charity is depthless.
At The Storyteller, they had candy everywhere and a poster declaring "1000 Sweets" which was just too cute. And also very yummy. (Hi Calliope!)
Lindsey, a fan who came to our stock signing at Copperfield's in Petaluma, asked us to sign her shoes. And to illustrate our undying devotion to our fans, Libba and I turned around and kissed her feet. Naturally.
At the Girls' Middle School, Walter the Giant Librarian asked us how long we'd been together already. When we mentioned this was our first real event together, his jaw dropped. Clearly, Libba and I were womb mates at some point, separated at birth. Libba was shipped off to Texas while I was put into suspended animation only to reappear a few years later in Utah. It's the only viable explanation. Occam's Razor, baby.
It's so fun being with that sassy molassy Ms. Bray. After much discussion, hours of planning and plotting (k, not really), we decided to officially Wing It. So pretty much we each ust grab a mic and just chat. And we've been ending each event by singing a rousing, off-key rendition of "Total Eclipse of the Heart." And so what that neither of us actually know the lyrics? Or much of the tune? That doesn't stop us! It's their fault for giving us a microphone in the first place. Seriously, what are they thinking? I've been laughing so hard the past few days, I'm losing my voice.
We had a blast at the Menlo Park Library, an event hosted by Kepler's. They gave out fans to everyone who came. And here I must assert, I'm Libba Bray's biggest fan.
Ack, I'm spacing on the name of the school where this was! (We went to so many awesome schools. Seriously, teens are smart and funny and wise. It's thrilling to witness.) But they saved us a parking space, complete with orange cone and sign. I believe this was also the school where Libba and I showed off our high kick routine. Hmm...that one didn't get a repeat...
We go to the Mac counter to get dolled up for our evening event.
Here we are at Books Inc. for their incredible Not Your Mother's Book Club event, posing with some very attractive penguins. Isn't that Ms. Bray a looker? Dang, but she can bring it!
All the girls (and boy! Yo London) at the event were so fun and smart and noteworthy. But I have to give a special shout out to Jessica and her mother, who drove 3 hours to attend and had to stay in a hotel that night (a school night!). And of course Ms. Jasmine and her mother who flew in from Texas. Yes, that's right, Texas. And their flight was delayed, and they rushed in halfway through the event. Talk about stress, but they made it! Jasmine, our heart-rending rendition of "Total Eclipse" was especially for you, baby.
So, Libba and I clearly have an issue--we can't pass by a photo of each other without applying a little grafitti. Here I turn Libba into a gypsy, her natural state. After giving me some very stylish shades and teeth, she has me shouting my new catchphrase: SHAZAM! That's right, step aside Captain Marvel.
Here I am at the airport for an early morning flight from San Francisco to Seattle. Yeah, I'm hauling Libba's luggage in addition to my own, but it's a small price to pay for the privilege of traveling with her highness. I didn't realize I'd also be asked to massage her feet and wash her underwear, but really its my privilege. Seriously. I swear. It is.
A great event at All For Kids. All week, Libba and I took turns worshipping the booksellers and librarians we met. And fans. And authors. And teachers. It was a love fest all around. The book business is just freakin' cool. People all week were giving me gifts--birthday gifts, just-because-I-love-your-books gifts. I mean, I get to do my dream job, and people are giving me presents? How cool and yet surreal is that? I am way too blessed. Here I am with one of many unbelievably cool readers, Miss Erin, one of the Little Redders and a powerful force on the teen book scene in her own right.
And...I try to pick her up. It seems even the flash on the camera was shocked by this turn of events.
Here we are resting in our luxurious accommodations. Okay, really it's a back room while we waited to go on for our event at the University of Washington bookstore. Pooped is a good word for our current state. It'd been just a touch crazy, with meals grabbed on the road and not a whole lotta rest time, and it may have gotten to us just a tad. We were doing some Q&A that night when a darling girl asked me a very simple question, "Where did you get the idea for Princess Academy?" And for some reason, I cracked. And I began to laugh. And Libba began to laugh. And we could not stop. We were sobbing with laughter, doubled over, complete lunatics. Seriously, I was eyeing the door to make sure no one was coming for us with straight jackets. It took about five minutes to calm down, and when I tried to answer the darling girls very legitimate question, I said the phrase, "Tutor to the princesses." And Libba said, "You just said tooter." Then back it came. My stomach hurt all night.
Lauren and Caitlin at the UofW in fabulous Mongolian dells. I'm in the frock used for the cover photo.
Booksellers Stesha and Leah pose in Victorian garb with the queen of gothic Victorian fantasy herself, Catherine Zeta Jones. Oops, I meant, Libba Bray. She's just so darn foxy, I get those two mixed up!
I forgot my camera the next day unfortunately and there was one visual I really wish I had--Libba trying to wheel me in on a dolly for our presentation at Third Place Books. I was scared out of my wits, and I was also laughing so hard I couldn't breathe, let alone try to clamber off of that thing. K, I laugh a lot normally, I think. I live with Dean Hale, for goodness sake. And I have a toddler. Plenty of laughing going on, I assure you. But I think I laughed as much in a week with Libba as I did the previous year.
Two stories to illustrate: We're on a small plane from Seattle to Portland--a very small plane. A frighteningly small plane. With propellers. And Libba and I are trying to distract each other to hold back the terror. So to help, I search my brain for the happiest, most carefree song I can think of to calm our fears. So I start to sing "Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy." And while I'm singing, I'm thinking, who was it that sang that song? Libba as gone white as a sheet. She says, "That was John Denver. You know, he died on plane." Of course we spend the rest of the flight naming everyone we can think of who died in a plane crash and singing their songs. My but there were quite a few.
I'm at the Seattle airport and haul my suitcase onto the scale. It's just a might heavier than it was a week ago, as I've passed through a dozen bookstores since and just may have picked up a few books on the way. I'm sure you all find that shocking. The agent tells me, "It's ten pounds too heavy. Can you remove some objects?" So I reach in and pull out my copy of The Sweet Far Thing. I'm about to pull out some more items when the agent says, "That'll do it." Yes, that's right. What I'm trying to say is, after you purchase and read Libba's book, it's usefulness won't stop there! it will serve as a most excellent doorstop, or to weigh down your hot air balloon, or cement a few together to hold back the flood waters.
Okay, so a quick day trip in Portland. Here's Libba at A Children's Place showing the great workout you can do with two copies of her newest tome. You lift and swing, lift, and swing, and chant "It's sweet, and far, it's sweet, and far..."
Given how much I miss my babies, Libba agrees to let me snuggle her as often as necessary. Which was surprisingly often.
At Powell's, we are honored with visits from fab writers Heather Vogel Frederick and Laini Taylor.
At the airport--dang, but that Brookstone just knows they have you with the massage chair! It's almost criminal.
Then home again. It was ecstatically wonderful to be with my cuties again today. I was away from Dean and Max for an astonishing 9 days, and Maggie for 5. Ouch! I'm leaving again in 2 days, and the only thing that keeps me from being terrified is knowing I'll be basking again in the presence of Ms. Bray.
What can I say about Libba Bray? She is beyond fabulous. She is completely genuine. She is honest and sassy and dark and light and naughty and nice. And I want to keep her in my pocket. Or perched on my shoulder. Just nearby. Sometimes I forget which of us is which. Then I worked out a system to remember--She's the foxy one. I'm the one with half-price jeans.
Whew--it's not complete, but it's as good as I'm going to get, 'cause I'm pooped. But I'm sure there's one burning question you're all dying to get answered before I retire, so I'll take care of that now--yes, I got bangs.
That tour sounds awesome!
And 'tooters'.... truly hilarious.
Posted by: Summermoon | January 28, 2008 at 12:52 AM
omg, you guys ROCKED IT!
I haven't put my post up yet b/c I am both busy and lazy -- but I will! Tomorrow! Promise!
xoxo Jenn & NYMBC!
Posted by: jennifer, aka literaticat | January 28, 2008 at 01:24 AM
So, would that make TSFT worthier of being thrown at something/someone than War and Peace?
Love your bangs.
Posted by: Q | January 28, 2008 at 06:13 AM
You guys are both great! I was glad to meet you both during your separate book tours. I am sad you did not come back to Chicago so I could see you together. I can only imagine how funny you two would be together!!
Posted by: Melissa | January 28, 2008 at 06:18 AM
I must admit Shannon that the first thing I noticed was your hair! It's SO cute! With the swoopy bangs and the length. Makes me want to dye my hair red again...
Moving on. I'm SO OUTRAGEOUSLY jealous. That looks like so much fun. But at least I feel like I was there vicariously through Mima (and on of my shirts! w00t!). It sounds like a load of fun. You need to bring Ms. Bray home so us local-yokels can meet her!
Posted by: Enna Isilee | January 28, 2008 at 06:50 AM
Could you guys come to Buffalo NY sometime, you have fans waiting!
Posted by: Moi | January 28, 2008 at 07:41 AM
Awesome pictures! Sounds like a great time! I *so* can't wait until Thursday! I'm majorly excited.
Posted by: Anidori-Isilee | January 28, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Oh. My. Word. Maggie is so beautiful, I could gobble her up!
The tour sounds insanely fun.
Posted by: Laura | January 28, 2008 at 08:20 AM
The first thing I noticed was your hair, I really like it!Maggie is sooo cute! The tour looks like it was a lot of fun! :)
Posted by: maribeth_kayla | January 28, 2008 at 10:18 AM
That was so much fun to read! I wish you were putting in a dual appearance at the King's English bookstore. I'd love to see the Shannon-and-Libba show, complete with Total Eclipse of the Heart,which cannot be anywhere near as creepy as on the video, no matter how much you may be laughing or how off-key you may be.
Posted by: Caryn | January 28, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Sounds terrific! Seriously, you should consider visiting Connecticut. It'll be worth it, you have fans over here too!
Posted by: Andrea | January 28, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Wow, Shannon, sounds like you've had a seriously awesome time with Libba. I hope you have even more fun at the other signings!!!
Posted by: Hoho | January 28, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Looks like you had a fabulous time! I wish that a miracle happens and that I will be able to see ya in Ohio. Like the bangs a lot!
Posted by: Felicity | January 28, 2008 at 01:17 PM
I admit it-- I didn't notice the bangs until you mentioned it, Shannon. No, the first thing I noticed was how incredibly photogenic Maggie is! She should be a poster baby! (Seriously)
You and Libba seem to be having so much fun together. I wish now all the more that I could go and see you two in Columbus. I'm 'gonna cry...
And give my thanks to Libba for the new work out. It works so well! Of course, I've improvised because I have only one copy but MAN! It works like a charm!
(And I love the bangs! So cute.)
Posted by: Ellenboro | January 28, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Dear Shannon,
You and Libba couldn't be more wonderful or hilarious or talented. Please come back to Seattle soon. When will you open the Hale & Bray Aca-démy for Girls of All Ages? I'm ready to enroll!
Posted by: Jaime | January 28, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Alright, I'm supposed to be writing a formal essay on Romeo and Juliet that's worth a giant amount of my grade right now, but this is 100 zillion million kagillion times better. It so made my day! Have even more fun on the rest of your tour! (if that's possible!)
Posted by: MAYday | January 28, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Sounds like so much fun! I wish I could meet both you and Libba together, it sounds hilarious! Thanks for the pics!
Posted by: Leanna | January 28, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Cool!
Hey, I'm coming to one of your signings Shannon, see you there!
Posted by: duchessaofrandomness | January 28, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Love. The. Hair. Also, it looks like the tow of you are having an absolute blast! Keep having a great time and telling us about it!
Posted by: Ruby Diamond | January 28, 2008 at 04:29 PM
You AND Miss Erin in the same room?
*dies*
Posted by: Sarah Miller | January 28, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Love your pictures! Especially the one with you and Libba posing in front of the poster with your picture! I love it that it says "bestselling authors" and then your faces are all scribbled!! Hilarious!!!
Posted by: Beca | January 28, 2008 at 06:27 PM
Thanks so much for sharing Shannon! You look like a true Sleeping Beauty in that photo of you and Libba "pooped in your current state"! Maggie J is so delicous as well.
A nosy question: was that pretty dress comfy to wear or did it itch? :)
Posted by: Sylvia | January 28, 2008 at 06:29 PM
WOO-HOO! Meeting you was one of the best things that's ever happened to me. :)
I have some pics here: http://misserinmarie.blogspot.com/2008/01/did-you-ever-know-that-youre-my-hero.html
Posted by: Miss Erin | January 28, 2008 at 07:16 PM
You do realize that you made Miss Erin's day/weekend/year, right? :)
Posted by: Little Willow | January 28, 2008 at 07:39 PM
I was in Portland, at Powell's! You gals are SO hilarious! Loved the high kick. And the singing... Oh! And the stories. You two are unbelievably amazing. I was SHAKING when I got to talk to you both. I was excited and a little nervous and extremely awed. You made me want to write even harder, so I went home that day and worked on my book. I hope I can tour and see fans and have a blast like you and Libba! Books are just so great, aren't they?
-Katie, who is going to grow up to be Libba and Shannon. (Superhero? LOL)
Posted by: Katie-Wa | January 28, 2008 at 09:54 PM
I am so jealous of everyone who gets to attend your signings and meet you! I am inconceivably bummed that I am unable to see you and Libba, by far my favorite authors, together.
Last month I was in California, but my friend brought my Goose Girl and Enna Burning to a signing here in SLC---when I get more of your books I will most indefinitely go to one of your signings (or just go nevertheless)! But I got so excited when I saw that picture of you and Libba standing in front of the Golden Gate bridge---I stood in that EXACT spot (i'm not kidding---I could show you the photo) last month. So cool.
P.S. I just finished reading "The Sweet Far Thing"---AMAZING doorstop, BTW.
Say hi to Libba for me!
/
Posted by: Jillian | January 29, 2008 at 11:01 AM
waaahhhh! It's just not fair! It looks so amazingly awesome and fun. *sniff* Love the pictures, though. You know when you read a book and you have this image of what the author looks like and acts like and then you see a picture and they aren't anything like you imagined and it bugs you every time you read their books from then on. Shannon is so not like that! When i saw your picture i thought, yep that's her.
Maggie is so cute! So is the hair!
I mean come on, great hair AND amazing books. What more could you ask for?
Posted by: Chelsea | January 29, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Snazzy new hair, Shannon and happy belated birthday!
There is simply no better song for singing at the top of your lungs than "Total Eclipse of the Heart." Turn around, briiight eyes!
Have a fantabulous finish to the torso tour!
Posted by: Gretchen | January 29, 2008 at 01:30 PM
I keep trying to tell you, you're totally misspelling "Library".
Posted by: Marcus Aurelius | January 29, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Hi Shannon!
(You're working those bangs, ya know it?)
<3 Libba and Shannon = perfect combination.
Posted by: Calliope1of9 | January 29, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Three things:
1. Will your duet with Libba be showing up on YouTube?
2. Getting over your plane fright by singing every song by people who died on planes is AWESOME. And creepy. And funny.
3. Will you two BFFs ever let other girls into the group? Like me and Sarah Miller and anyone else jealously reading this? Pretty please? We'd like to hang out with you and eat bad food and get too little sleep, too.
Tooter.
Posted by: Robin Brande | January 29, 2008 at 05:00 PM
Marcus, your comment took me a second to get and then I laughed right out loud.
Ditto #1 and #2 on Robin's list.
Posted by: Gretchen | January 29, 2008 at 05:27 PM
If you make a BFF group I want to be in it.
hahaha, Marcus.
Posted by: Chelsea | January 29, 2008 at 05:32 PM
I read Marcus's comment 10 times before I got it. Oh well. Hilarious, by the way, mate. :)
Posted by: Calliope1of9 | January 29, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Marcus's comment took me a second to get, but then I laughed out loud. That was quite clever.
Posted by: Q | January 29, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Great Balls of Fire! Erin is probably still over the moon (especially after seeing these pictures on your blog)- thank you on her behalf, Shannon. You are amazing.
Okay, I wouldn't even have noticed the smart-aleck comment if everyone who commented after Marcus hadn't noticed it. I looked up and down the list a couple times before deciding that it was, indeed, the one they referred to, and then scoured it to figure out what in blazes was so funny.
Posted by: Cherie | January 30, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Very clever, Marcus Aurelius. I had to read it twice before I got truly got it.
If only more people in this world had such a simple yet so clever sense of humor...
Posted by: Ellenboro | January 30, 2008 at 03:13 PM
For fans of Laini Taylor (Blackbringer):
growwings.blogspot.com
Posted by: Q | January 31, 2008 at 01:04 PM
Oh, that's great! I'm really happy for her.
Thanks Shannon! I just wanted to say how much last night meant to me, even though I was really shy.
Posted by: Felicity | January 31, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Hail to Ms. Hale. Thanks for giving us a great synopsis of the tour so we could see what we missed...I SO SO SO wanted to come to your Portland Powell signing (and yes I have taken one of those scary seattle to portland flights-NOT FUN!) but anyway, I wanted to come, I had my copy of Goose Girl ready to be signed, the map quest directions printed, I had called the store to see how long you'd be there, but I just couldn't make my son give up his friends birthday party (I know, noble of me huh?) We live a good ways away and there wasn't a way to get there and back with his party in full swing...I was SO disappointed...but you saved the day with your post and description...made me feel a might bit better! Next time you come to Portland, I'm not missing it. Hope I don't have any kids in recitals or something...they might miss me! Thanks for being such a fun author!
Posted by: Selena | January 31, 2008 at 02:24 PM
hahaha....i was at the Portland signing, and you guys were HILARIOUS. i remember Libba doing that aerobic workout and you guys telling the airport/plane stories.
Posted by: Cecilia | January 31, 2008 at 03:07 PM
The Portland signing was great!! I'm so glad I got to be there!! It was DEFINITELY worth the $20 I used to bribe a friend into giving me a ride. Thank you so much. :-)
Posted by: Barratt Miller | January 31, 2008 at 04:20 PM
I think the school who's name you can't remember was Eckstein Middle School.
The high kick routine was wonderful. :]
Posted by: Cilia Jurdy | January 31, 2008 at 06:50 PM
Hi Shannon!
I saw you at the Not Your Mothers Book Club event and you were HALLARIOUS! You and Libba are a fantastic team. Meeting you guys was the highlight of 2008! I just finished Book of a THousand Days, bravo!, and I loved it! I read the actual story Maid Maleen and your was better by far! I totaly agree with you about the dismisal of the maid halfway through the story. Well thanks again I loved seeing you guys in SF (so worth the 3 hour drive). Pass my thanks on to Libba! Looking forawrd to your next book!
Posted by: Jessica | January 31, 2008 at 07:22 PM
I'm allowed to be like in giggly shock, right? Because it was so amazingly awesome to meet you tonight, Shannon. You and Libba both. You guys are so cool I can hardly believe it. Thank you so so so much for being so awesome and writing such amazing books and putting on such an awesome presentation and being so willing to talk to fans. You guys rock.
Anilee
Posted by: Anidori-Isilee | January 31, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Just found a video of Shannon and Libba singing in a bookstore on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A_LN6dZG8Q
They clearly are enjoying themselves too much.
Posted by: Megan | January 31, 2008 at 10:07 PM
So when are you two coming to England?
Posted by: Candy | February 01, 2008 at 04:14 AM
Kissing shoes? Did you know where those shoes had been? Ew. There are so many nasty and unclean places those could've been.
Posted by: MPH | February 01, 2008 at 04:59 PM
You guys looked like you had a blast! That is so awesome. And "Torso Tour" - that is pure brilliance. Which of you two genius' thought of that? What a way to have a tour.
Posted by: Heather | February 01, 2008 at 05:04 PM
HA HA HA HA!!
So that's your rendition of "Total Eclipse of the Heart! That is so completely hilarious. You and Libba are amazing, Shannon.
(Thanks for the link Megan! :) )
Posted by: Ellenboro | February 01, 2008 at 07:09 PM