So, what are you doing on Saturday?

I know what you're thinking--"I like going to book events, I enjoy a quality local signing, but there generally just aren't enough carnival games or live music."

Well, mourn no longer, my toe-tapping friend! The rapunzel's revenge launch on August 23 will be a party like no other--games for the kids, live bluegrass band, and yes, a book signing to boot (cowboy boot, that is).

Still not enough to intrigue you? Add to that Dean, Shannon, and Nate Hale will be speaking about collaboration, wicked-cool cowgirls, and why Rapunzel is the most irritating fairy tale of all time, performing a brief but hugely entertaining readers theater from the book, and then staying as long as it takes to sign your goods. Still not enough? Well, how's about we throw in six additional award-winning and critically acclaimed young adult authors who will also sign their books as well as cool, collectible autograph keepers for the kids, turning it all into a bona-fide Authorpalooza? Keep your fingers crossed, and said authors might show up dressed awkwardly in cowboy attire solely for your amusement.

Let me sum up:

• games
• live bluegrass band concert by The Stormy Mountain Boys
• authorpalooza mass signing
• Hale (3) talk and answer your most burning questions
• signed copies of the hottest graphic novel of the year
• fabulous prizes
• admission and entertainment FREE FREE FREE!

Still not enough? You are one tough customer. But I think I have something that will tip this over the edge: Dean will be awarding one lucky winner a free piggy-back ride. Yes, you heard right.

See you on the 23rd.

Details:

1 pm at Anderson-Foothill Branch Library, 1135 South 2100 East, Salt Lake City, Utah

Most activities will be indoors, but the band will be outside. If you want to sit and listen, don't forget your sun hat, sunscreen, beach umbrella, or whatever you like to stay cool, though perhaps toting along a portable swimming pool might be a tad awkward.

Authorpalooza authors include: Ann Cannon (The Loser's Guide to Life and Love), James Dashner (The 13th Reality), Jessica Day George (Dragon Flight), Mette Ivie Harrison (The Princess and the Hound), Kimberly Heuston (The Book of Jude), and Sara Zarr (Sweethearts).

Comments

[Ellenboro]

Is this Authorpalooza one I have to miss???!!!!
Noooooooo!
I want a piggy-back ride, too!

Sulking. I shall be sulking all day long. Nothing will stop me.

[Danielle]

Ohhhhhhhh! I want to go SO badly! Oh my gosh. Now I'm feeling totally and utterly depressed. This might just be one of the saddest moments, if not the saddest thing that has happened to me this week. I have to miss Jessica too? Grrr..... I might go cry now :(

[Rebecca Joy]

*Dies* That sounds absolutely wonderful. *Dies again* If only I could go, if only, if only...!!

[leximel]

my heart is bleeding now

[Kelia]

I SO wish I lived in Utah. *glares*

Have fun at the party everyone who's going!

[Celes]

I'm pretty sure I can go, but I'm not sure how I'm going to get there...

[Calliope1of9]

That sounds so amazing. Have fun, everybody! (take lots of pictures!!!)

[Mrs. Mordecai]

Do you want to know why I'm heartbroken right now?

1. I don't live in Utah.
2. I actually have a copy of RR in my house right now, and have since Monday, but my husband broke two bones on Monday and my two-year-old is acting like one, so I haven't even been able to open it yet!

[Dr. Sallie N. Cheinsteen]

Couldn't have picked a worse Saturday, could you? I have been planning an event at that very time for the entire summer, and I'm afraid I can't cancel it. Why don't you plan everything around me and my needs? Uh! The world is so unfair. And it's FREE! My middle name.

[Enna-girl's girl]

How am I going to go through another Canadian summery day knowing that, hundreds of miles away, Shannon Hale is showing off Rapunzel's Revenge and having a huge hulabaloo???
This is an outrage, I tell you! Perfectly tyrannical behaviour! I swear someone out there has it in for me. Ah, the unfairness of the world...
But on the other hand, the lucky people who're going - HAVE FUN!!

[Biel]

I am soooooo jealous! Why can't I live in Utah?

[Kelsey]

:(

If I could (a) drive, and (b) afford the horrendous amount of gas it would take to get to Utah...*sigh*

I feel so depressed. At least I'm not the only one suffering, according to all these comments. Maybe someone could record the Hales speaking?

[Laura Z M]

I'll be there with bells on!

Or should that be spurs?

[ashley]

Why must you torment those who do not live in Utah???!!!!

[shannon hale]

Oh dear! I had no idea this post would cause such heartbreak and misery! I'm sorry.

On a side note, Dean and I were interviewed for channel 4 news today. It'll be on Friday some time, 6 or 10 I imagine.

[Frogster]

How I wish I lived in Utah..........

[Elizabeth]

Never fear, I shan't add to the misery piling up under this blog entry! I won't mention how I don't arrive in Utah until Wednesday (just four days after this fabulous event!). And I don't think I'll tell you about the tears and heartache I shall suffer, almost as though I were locked up inside a tall hallow tree... No, I won't speakk of it at all!

Instead I will tell you that I laughed out loud when I read Rapunzel's Revenge. And couldn't put it down to go to sleep at night. And poured over every illustration as if I were starving for them. And then went and read every tidbit about the book's creation I could find online. And set the first drawing that Nathan Hale did of Rapunzel as my desktop background on my computer. And wanted to start shouting to complete strangers on the street about this really neat book I'd just read.

Yeah, so anyway... Just wanted to say Rapunzel's Revenge was awesome! :D (can you tell it's been a while since I've found a really good book to read...) I love your books, Shannon!!! :)

[Elizabeth]

sorry that was such a long comment...

[Miss Erin]

SO WISH I COULD BE THERE. Le sigh...

Have fun!! :)

[Danielle]

Is there going to be a book tour for RR? Eventually?

[shannon hale]

Whoops, it's actually channel 2 news.

Thanks, Elizabeth, that was incredibly sweet.

Sorry, Danielle, no tour. Too much travel for me recently, so we decided to stay home this fall. Though I'll be in Texas in November.

[Christen]

Never before have I wished I lived in Utah. Except for all your other book events.

Depressing... :(

[Asha]

i wish i could go!

[Jillian]

Oh! I want to go! I have been so behind in my reading and so caught up in things that I haven't had the chance to even look at your fabulous new book.
But...tomorrow...I will beg my parents to take me to your signing! I have to meet you before I move out of state... I mean seriously.
(I just realized that you're coming to the Purple Cow in Tooele on September 13th. Somebody up there hates me, I swear. I'm moving from Tooele on September first, out of state! Agh! No fair.)
But I'd give anything to see you before I leave. I will try to be there. C=

[Jaime Mormann Richardson]

I wish I could be there! Hope you all have a wonderful day and that tons of people come!

[hailey]

Yay!!! I'm going!!! sorry to those that can't. I'll take pictures!!!!

[Franki]

I must say I am getting very aggravated with my local bookstore, and I am sure they are with me. They still don't have it in! (Rapunzel's Revenge). Luckily though, it has been ordered and 10 copies are on their way. I am way excited to snatch one up... hopefully on Monday.

Also, I think graphic novels are really fantastic for people who either A) think in a different way or whose reading skills B) aren't good enough to allow them to read a novel with ease, or those who C) just like comics.

[Danielle]

Finally, after checking like a million bookstores for a few weeks now I found RR at B&N! And I just finished it and had to leave a comment saying that it was wonderful. The pictures were lively and colorful, and really helped the story to come alive in a different way then a regular book does. I also loved the dialogue and the plot! Thank you so much for that delicious read!

[Leah]

I LOVE ALL OF THE PICTURES! Will you put more pictures of your kids? They are so cute!