Once in our Nashville hotel, Kim and I ordered dinner from room service and watched 40 Year Old Virgin until we passed out from road fatigue. Bright and early the next morning I dropped her off at the airport (yes, I cried – I hate saying goodbye to friends) and went back to the hotel to work. And late that afternoon I set off across Nashville to meet fellow authors Myra McEntire

and C.J. Redwine.

As I’ve said before, I have a purely online relationship with most YA authors, the fact being that most of them live in the U.S. and I live a kazillion miles away. Attending the RT Conference last month was a HUGE treat for me, because I got to meet all of these authors I already been chatting to on the internet but had never met in real life.

Well, let me tell you, Myra and C.J. turned out to be exactly what I had imagined from our Twitter chats: hilarious, super smart, and really friendly. In that kind of way that makes you want to cancel your plane ticket and stay a few extra days to hang out.

After chatting for a while, we headed over to Parnassus Books where we were met by the events manager, Nikki, who immediately asked Myra and me if we could interview with a BBC reporter who was doing a story on indie bookstores. We agreed, and the first thing Myra asked the guy was if he could get her a personal audience with Dr. Who. And then she mentioned something she wanted to do to him—like licking his forehead, if I remember correctly. (Dr. Who’s forehead, that is, not the reporter’s.)

The reporter blushed a bit, but looked like he might have heard that a few times before (or maybe he’s interviewed other YA authors and knows how weird we can be), and sat us down to tape. I had to say “cut” once, because I was blah-blah-blahing—something I do when I don’t have time to think of an answer. Which is fine at a dinner party, but not that great on camera.

Parnassus crowd (Photo: Vania)

And then we were led to a packed-out room equipped with 2 cushy chairs. (C.J. came to the event, but since her book DEFIANCE doesn’t come out until August, she sat in the audience and sent us positive author vibes.)

Myra & Me on cushy chairs with our color-coordinated books behind (photo: StartingTheNextChapter.com)

Myra and I introduced our books, read a section of our Book 2s (this was Myra’s first public reading of her 2nd book, TIMEPIECE), and then answered questions.

Judging from the look on my face, I'm probably saying something I shouldn't be. Photo: StartingTheNextChapter.com

I couldn’t resist asking a couple of questions of my own. (I’m always interested in finding out whether other authors are plotters or pantsers).

Reading from UNTIL I DIE (Photo: StartingTheNextChapter.com)

Afterward, a few book bloggers accompanied us to to Cheesecake Factory, where I feasted on pure calories (mac & cheese, a pomegranate mojito, and coconut cheesecake) while chatting with Vania about her writing and Courtney Potter about her book-to-be, Faking Normal, which sounds AWESOME.

And then the next morning I waved goodbye to Nashville, hopped on a plane with my over-stuffed suitcase, and headed back to the land of baguettes and revenants!

Here is an account of the evening from Starting The Next Chapter.

And another from The Housework Can Wait.