Here I am folks, ready to recap the events of the 27th and 28th down in Austin, Texas. This is going to be a rather huge post as I took lots and lots of pictures and have tons of funny stories to tell.
The book signing was to start at 7:00 pm at The Book People somewhere in downtown Austin. I am not from the area, so I was being toted around by my sister-in-law and her friend, who both LOVE the book. (In fact, said friend, who I will lovingly refer to as “R”, is an avid fan fic reader now and even quoted parts of Pel’s fic “Carnage" to me…which was one of the more strange moments of this trip.) We arrived at the book store at about 6:59 and literally ran into the store thinking we were going to miss it. Of course, the place was already packed full. I stood in the back and looked around for any familiar faces.
Embarrassing moment number one happened when I spotted a figure hiding behind the bookcases off to the side. Stephenie’s publicist is usually standing to her side and can be seen in many photos hiding behind such objects. I approach this person, thinking it’s Elizabeth. I get up to her and say, “Are you Elizabeth?” She says, “Yes!” I say, “I’m Lori! So nice to meet you!” We squeal and even hug…and then she asks me who I am. I froze for a moment and said, “I’m from the Lexicon.” Blank stare. “Aren’t you Stephenie’s Elizabeth?” She says, “No. But I am Elizabeth.” I can’t tell you how horrible I felt at that moment! So I took my totally red face back to my place at the far side of the room and tried not to act as if anything odd had just happened.
Then Stephenie came out to do her normal set of Q&A. Here’s a picture of that for you to enjoy.
Most of the questions were things that we already knew from the FAQs or even from out takes and such. I am a huge fan of people who have taken the time to do their homework and really read what is out there. In fact, my favorite shirt is from one such fan, which you will see later. And FYI – those of you that were there – The very last question about Stephenie’s husband being jealous of Edward came from the previously mentioned “R”. (Come on “R” – stop laughing. You KNEW you’d get mentioned!)
Then Stephenie was taken to her place at the signing table and the rest of the group wound their way around the book store stairs to wait their turn. Having already made arrangements with Stephenie to talk to her AFTER the signing, my sister-in-law and “R” took a seat in the now vacant chairs while I made my way around the store to take a look at the great shirts everyone had made. I must say, Stephenie has some creative fans!!
One by one as I read shirt after shirt, I would ask permission to take a picture and was always granted a yes. Then, after the picture was taken, I would ask if it would be all right for me to post the photo on the lexicon. I think “deer in headlights” just about sums up the wide eyed expressions I got. A few brave fans actually managed to squeak out the question, “Are you…Alphie?” To which I always answered, “Yes, but call me Lori.” I shook lots of hands and felt a little like a politician bothering everyone, but hey, I got some great pictures!
First – the four ROCKIN’ girls who dressed up as Rosalie, Alice, Bella, and Edward.
My first “favorite” shirt and one that proves Jacob has a following. I had to get the front and back of this one!
The Lexicon’s very own Taxi came up to say hi. You are too sweet for words girl! And she snagged the New Moon poster as well.
The largest group of “matching” shirts all home made and decorated to the tastes of each fan. Take note of the rather scary doll. The owner actually got Stephenie to sign the doll!
Two self professed “crazed Edward fans”.
Another favorite, and incidentally the first one Stephenie asked me about. She said, “Did you get a picture of the Team Jake t-shirt?” So it really made an impression on the author.
The first shirt I saw professing love for Jasper!
The Twilight Zone! Love this! And notice the back of Cinderella’s shirt.
These next fans were not only at the book people event, but they also ended up at the book festival as well. Can you see their fangs? Now, we all know that Edward doesn’t have fangs, but these fangs were SOOO cool! And…I have to tell on them for this…but they tried to snap a secret picture of me at the very end! LOL! I said, “If you want a picture, just ask!” I guess I can say I’ve had my first taste of paparazzi!
Embarrassing moment number two happened when I finished taking pictures and went over to chat with sis-in-law and “R” and a few other “mom” types about the appeal these books have to those of us that aren’t teenagers anymore. I noticed from the corner of my eye a group of girls whispering and pointing and looking at me. Soon enough, they sent one of their fathers over to ask me to come and talk to them. One of the braver girls asked, “Are you Alphie?” I said, “Yes.” And with a voice that can only be described as a squeal, she said, “Will you sign my book!??!?!” Here’s the thing folks, I don’t mind giving out an autograph, even if I think that is a bit weird. But I will not sign Stephenie’s book. I might sign Eclipse when that comes out, since my name will be in that, but I won’t sign Twilight or New Moon. I did give them my autograph on random bits of calendar paper though. Here’s the picture of the group.
A few other people in line asked for my siggy, like Karen, but unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of them. Sorry ladies! And to the one who told me I needed to update Lion and Lamb – I KNOW! GAH!
When it was all said and done, I got my turn to have my book signed and take a picture with Steph. Here we are.
She said, “Don’t you already have a signed copy?” I said, “I have an ARC, but my hard copy isn’t signed.” I told her she didn’t have to write anything creative, but she did anyway. She signed it “To My Alphie” which made me smile.
Then sis-in-law, “R”, and I all headed off to the Melting Pot to swoon over Edward while eating fondue. While I was there, I was stopped by some fans who had been at the book signing and who hadn’t been to the Lexicon! I told them all about it and that they should get over here FAST! Here they are. Let’s hope they found there way to our site.
Day two started with a trip to the Texas capitol, which is simply MAMMOTH in size.
Stephenie was part of a panel of authors for teen girls including –
ttyl bu Lauren Myracle
Fat Camp by Deborah Blumenthal
Jess by Mary Casanova
Kiki Strike by Kirsten Miller
A Bad Boy can be Good for a Girl by Tanya Lee Stone
Each author had the chance to read a part of their book and explain some of the details. Stephenie read the dream opening to New Moon. Then the crowd asked questions of the authors. Aside from the two questions asked of the entire panel, all the questions were for Stephenie. I felt a little badly for the other authors, but then New Moon is the current number one book and Stephenie’s fans are known to be a bit more rabid than normal people. Ahem…
All of the books sounded very interesting for different reasons. But I must say that the one that sparked my interest the most was Kiki Strike. I bought the book and read half of it on the plane home and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a very creative mystery about a city under New York City and the super spy girl who isn’t exactly who she seems to be.
On my way out of the auditorium I spotted four girls in the most elaborately decorated fan shirts I had seen all weekend! I asked if I could take their picture, and when they realized who I was they all squealed and made me feel like one of the Beatles. Little did I know that they would stalk me for the rest of the day. Even in my car, I look out the window and there they were! STALKERS!
Kahrynn is sporting the Jacob Black shirt. But it is Marissa who gets the prize for most original shirt and the one I couldn’t stop talking about. Her shirt is the Pacific Northwest Trust Fund shirt that on the back says: “I got my college money from Edward.” Proof that she has read EVERYTHING! Love it!
Last, but certainly not least, is the one photo that simply HAD to be taken. MALE TWILIGHT FANS! They do exist. But wait, the story gets better. The one named Chris was video taping the whole thing for his girlfriend who couldn’t be at the book signing. He read the book since she loved it so much and was now making sure her book was signed and that she could experience the signing even though she wasn’t there personally. I recorded a message for her and must say that I wish I had had a boyfriend like that when I was a teenager.
But hey – I have a husband who helped me build a website and let me run off for the weekend leaving the kids behind! So it all worked out for me in the end.
End of VERY long post. Thanks for reading.
Alphie
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