I could write you pages and pages about the time I spent at the Montreuil Children’s book festival, but since I’m on KILLER DEADLINE I will just pop photos in with a few captions. Montreuil is on the eastern edge of Paris, and this book fair was THE HUGEST THING I’VE EVER BEEN TO. As in, massive. Here we go…
Here I am at the opening night cocktail party. Note...coat is off because it is BOILING in the convention center. My date was a very cute politics professor from Canada who I met at PAF.
A view of a tiny itsy bitsy corner of one floor of the book fair.
Opening night cocktail party madness. Again...just one tiny corner. Best part of the party was when some random woman came up and gave my date enthusiastic cheek-kisses and then realized she didn't know him from Adam.
Dinner with my editors Chloe Moncomble and Anne Blanchard, my translator Marie Cambolieu, and writers Malorie Blackman and Amelie Sarn. Did I remember to take a photo of them? No. I took a photo of my eggplant-cardamom crepe instead.
Here is the VIP room on Saturday. This is a stealth photo (that's why it's blurry) because you're usually not supposed to take pics in VIP rooms. Something about respecting people's privacy, blah blah. 🙂 This is the room where I ran into Tahereh Mafi and Ransom Riggs, as well as CJ Daugherty. VIP rooms are the best for running into people (and for free coffee and snacks).
Did I mention how excruciatingly hot it was? I was in a sleeveless dress and I was sweating. The poor guy who had to sign books wearing the mouse suit should have been given an award or something. Like a knighthood.
Amelie Sarn, my editor Chloe Moncomble, and Malorie Blackman before our signing.
Amelie, me and Malorie before our signing.
Me signing books. I brought UNTIL I DIE and IF I SHOULD DIE to show the French readers what was coming next. (UNTIL I DIE will be in French Jan 2013 and IF I SHOULD DIE June 2013.)
Amelie hanging with Anne Blanchard (DIE FOR ME's editor) and Chloe (the Big Boss)
Two of my French readers, Morgane and Blandine at the signing. Morgane is the one who did the awesome fingernail art in my ARC contest.
Me with French fan Laetitia who I already loved for coming to all my signings, but love even more now because she brought me chocolate!
I heart my readers and my French publishing team at Milan Jeunesse/Macadam!
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