The Awesomeness of #ATBF12
Okay, so I’ve been talking about Austin Teen Book Festival for a while now, and I’m sure some of you are tired of hearing about it. But it was just so awesome I had to tell you all about it!So this wasn’t my first book-related event, but it was my first time at ATBF, and it was my first time introducing myself as a blogger and handing out cards. And it was definitely my first time hanging out with authors for more than the two minutes it takes for them to sign a book and for me to awkwardly say that I like their books. So let’s just say that while I had a blast, I’m sure I came off as a crazy spazz most of the time. So to everyone I met this weekend–I apologize for that. I’m not normally so nervous and strange, and I know I seemed that way. Hopefully next time I go to something like this I’ll be more calm and collected!
Anyway, the event started off for me on Friday night, when I went to an author/blogger meetup. Who was the dork that was the first one there? That’s right, me. Luckily some other bloggers showed up soon, and throughout the night I met some awesome bloggers and some really cool authors who were super nice even though I was all weird.
Then Saturday was the actual festival and I was overdressed (I was thinking more BEA than teen-book-festival) and my feet were dying by the time it was all over. But I had a blast and loved all the panels I went to, and was super excited to have books signed and personalized by Marissa Meyer, Ally Carter, Tamara Ireland Stone and Jessica Khoury. I wish I had more money to spend because I totally would have bought some more books, specifically ones by Eliot Schrefer (like Endangered, which comes out today!). All these authors were super nice and I loved meeting all of them, and I was extremely excited to spend a little time with Jessica, Eliot, Tamara and Ally, along with Rachel Harris and Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Sarah Rees Brennan.
Eliot Schrefer, Marissa Meyer, and me (and my weird hair)
Tamara Ireland Stone, Jessica Khoury, and me
I’m really kind of surprised I didn’t pee in my pants, though. That’s how awkward and fangirly and dumb I was acting. You guys, it was bad. I’m hoping to go to BEA next year so I need to practice actually being sane…
Anyway, I had a fantastic time and I loved meeting everyone. Thanks to all the organizers and authors for making this such a cool event! I’m so glad I went, and I can’t wait to read everything these fabulous authors have written!
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Jessie Marie
October 1, 2012 at 8:43 pmHa – you're hilarious! Glad you had a good time. You and I are like two peas in a pod, I swear it. Awkwardly first to a group meeting? I've been guilty of that so many times, it's not awkward anymore. Ha.
Jen Bigheart
October 1, 2012 at 8:44 pmGlad you made the blogger meetup. We had a great time! Jen
Kate Midnight Book Girl
October 2, 2012 at 2:22 amI am so glad you went! And seriously, girl, you are looking fantastic! Book events are such a great place to meet our bookish community and it reminds us why we all love doing this so much!
BEA 2013!
Bittner
October 2, 2012 at 6:11 pmIt sounds like you had such a great time and I'm sure you weren't as much as a spaz as you think you were!
Jen Ryland/YA Romantics
October 2, 2012 at 7:39 pmI never know what to say when I meet authors either. I mean, besides, "I loved your book." They probably hear that a million times!
Kimberly @ On the Wings of Books
October 3, 2012 at 1:34 amAwesome pictures! I wish I would have done more of that at BEA. I'm so glad you had a great time!
fakesteph
October 3, 2012 at 4:03 pmI am officially jealous that you met Ally Carter and Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Love them.