So many notes. . . .

So here we are, apres CONduit, as the French might say. Although most of the French people I've met are unlikely to attend Salt Lake City's annual sci fi convention. But I went, and I did my usual talking and arm-waving thing (I really get into the panel discussions). So now I have no more excuses: I must do some real work. No trips to Canada, no signings in sight. It looks like I'm going to have to tackle the editorial notes for "Sun and Moon", which Melanie the Editor wanted to see all polished and ready, in about two more weeks now. EEEEEEEEEK! There are so very many notes. . . I went off on so very many tangents in this one, and there really is a little too much detail about Life in a Norwegian Cottage. So I'm hacking and slashing, hacking and slashing, and trying not to think about how badly my house needs to be dusted. . . . And then there are the pleasant distractions to fight, like picking up the copy of Diana Wynne Jones' latest, "The Pinhoe Egg" and reading a page or two before I do more hacking and slashing. And of course yesterday we had to go see Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Which was really, really good. But sadly did not help me hack and slash. Oh dear, I really must get back to work.

O, Canada!

Been there, done that, loved every minute of it! Once I got on the plane, that is. The sad truth is: I'm thirty years old, and have never gotten myself on a plane before. Not without my husband or parents there to pretty much hand me over to the flight attendants. Sad but true. But I did it! And I went to Canada, and I discovered that Toronto is like New York City, with half the population and no weird smells (that I sniffed at least). And IRA (that's the International Readers Association) is a large, large group of lovely people who are all passionate about reading and getting kids to read. I scored tons of free books (YES! WOOHOO!), and ate some really good food, and got a chance to kick back and talk to my editor about just, like, stuff. And I was on a great panel with Charles de Lint and Jane Yolen, two of my heroes, and also Robert J. Sawyer and Tim Eldred, two very talented people whose books I am now very excited to read. I also got to meet Avi. AVI!!!!!!! And tell him that I've read "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle" a hundred times. And he had ME sign a copy of MY BOOK for HIM! Does that sentence look crazy to anyone else?! So it was just all wild and crazy, and now here I am, back at home, giving the sequel to Dragon Slippers one last go around before sending it to my editor. And this weekend: CONduit!

WHEW!

Ah, I did it! Hooray! i had my first ever reading/signing! And it went rather well, even if I do say so myself. So many of my cute friends and family were there to support me. I only teared up a couple of times, I swear! My husband and I were talking about it on the way there, and this really was the day I've been dreaming of all my life. Since I was a little kid, I've wanted to be an author. I never really fantasized about getting married or having kids, I practiced my Newbery acceptance speech in the shower. To finally be on my way to my first author event . . . it was terrifying! But I managed to keep it together and say what I wanted to say, and I signed a lot of books, and it was sublime!

Nerves of Jelly. . .

In a week and two days I will be signing books at The King's English here in Salt Lake. I've done readings before, I've been signing books for friends and family, I actually did competition speech and drama in high school, and yet . . . I AM TERRIFIED! I don't know why, but the idea of standing in front of my friends and relations (those who show) is making me shake. What will I say? What will I do? Will anyone come? I think I might be ill! Of course, these fears are probably just a cover for my real terror: IRA. Two days after the King's English even, I'll be in Canada speaking to literally thousands of educated reading experts. Sitting beside Jane Yolen and Charles deLint. And now I'm woozy and nauseated. . . . Deep breath, deep breath. . . . In my itinerary for IRA they mentioned that only half the usual attendees are expected, since it is in Canada. So probably only ten thousand or so people. TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE?! That's the population of my home town! Deep breath, deep breath. . . . If everyone could do me a favor, and send me happy vibes on May 15th, I'd appreciate it. And all of you alert readers in the Salt Lake area: The King's English. May 12th. 2 pm. Be there!