**sings**

I wanna be a part of it….New York, New York

How awesome was my trip, you ask?

New York City  – Awesome

Posh digs @ swanky hotel – Awesome

Cool friends to hang with – Awesome

Children’s bookstore – Awesome

Loads of cool authors signing crisp new books – Awe, Awe, Awesome!

As you can see, it was overflowing with the awesomeness.

I could tell you all about my travels and how there were delays with the train both coming and going. But that would bore you to tears.  I could tell you all about how awesome Miss Gail from Ticket to Anywhere is (and dude, she TOTALLY is!) but I think y’all already know that.  I could tell you all about how I met Sharon from Sharon Loves Books and Cats, cause I totally did.  I could even speak to the greatness of New York City in general but I’m pretty sure that goes without saying.

So we’ll skip to the really cool author signing stuff. The NYC Teen Author Festival signing was tremendous!

Can I just shout out mad props to Books of Wonder?  Not only is it a fabulous store in it’s own right (dude, it’s all kids and young adult literature — ‘nough said) but it’s got cupcakes!  A WHOLE bakery full of ‘em!  Add to that the amazing staff that was so totally on point through a day long event with I think about 50+ authors and I can effectively say that this place is a well oiled machine.  KUDOS!

As you saw in my post a couple days ago I got loads of great books signed.  I’m not going to list them all again here but there were a couple of stand outs for me:

Nora Baskin, author of Anything but Typical, was so genuinely gracious.  We chatted about how I’d heard about her book on a blog and that I am a blogger as well.  She was so excited to be at the signing and equally excited to share her book with us all.

Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Lonely Hearts Club, was amazing.  So outgoing and chatty.  She asked Gail and I which cover for her book we liked best (I like the version on the ARC and Gai was partial to the final published version).  We giggled and talked a bit about why both are great.  It made me wish I had brought my ARC with me to get signed but dang it all, it’s sitting on my coffee table as we speak because I’m writing my review. Maybe next time!

Really, every single author I met was amazingly kind and truly excited to be participating.  Most were at the store early (or stayed late) and mingled around with patrons throughout the day. It was just fabulous all the way around. It definitely gave me a taste of what I’m sure is to come with Book Expo America.  It definitely has been anxious and excited for us all to meet again in May.

**sings**

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