Shadowhunters, Curse Workers, And Demons: A Book Signing Re-Cap

Raise your hand if you like meeting authors! Raise your hand if you like books! Now, raise it up high if you spend money on books like it is monopoly money and not real money. Please tell me I am not the only one with this problem. Y’all, I took a long drive July 15 downstate to Oblong Books to attend a Cassie Clare, Holly Black and Sarah Rees Brennan signing. It was probably the BIGGEST signing I have ever been to outside of BEA and totally and completely WORTH IT.

Cassandra Clare, Sarah Resse Brennan and Holly Black Book Signing

The Amazing Authors!

So, friends, I thought because I am an awful note taker I would just post the information I gleaned organized by author and bullet point style.

Cassandra Clare:

  • The ringtone for her husband is Ed Westwick leaving her a message.
  • Be very jealous. Audience members got to hear an excerpt from Clockwork Princess.
  • In book three, Clockwork Princess events conspire to deprive Will of his clothing.
  • Is very excited that movie is happening, but also scary. She will be nervous until cameras are rolling.
  • Is a HUGE fan of Robert Downey Jr.
  • Influences include: Neil Gaiman, Lord Of The Rings, and The Golden Compass
  • Believes that when born a vampire, you do age, but stop at maximum hotness
  • In preparation for The Infernal Devices, read a lot of trashy books from the Victorian Hera.
  • The Hidden Hand was actually great
  • All of the books that Will and Tessa read and talk about, Cassie has actually read them
  • 8 months of no books that weren’t Victorian era related.
  • Types out ideas – she has an idea folder on her computer and also uses an iPad.

Holly Black:

  • Currently working on a vampire book. Holly has always loved vampires.
  • In the Curse Workers series, a very small percentage of people can do magic – it is illegal and controlled by the mob. Holly loves caper and con as well as old Noir movies. She wanted to do it with fantasy and thought the mob would be an interesting model.
  • Stole the name Cassel from one of Cassandra Clare’s friends – and actually met Cassel in real life, which freaked her out.
  • Loves this book, The Big Con which outlines all of the big cons.
  • She also learned a lot about the psychology of influence
  • Influences include: Emma Bull, Neil Gaiman, Charles DeLint, Anne Rice
  • Having a critique group lets her be crazier in what she’s going to try
  • Has a notebook with actual notes

Sarah Rees Brennan:

  • Has a model of one of the houses from Unspoken
  • Wants to steal Magnus Bane, or the guy cast for him
  • Influences include: Interview With A Vampire, LJ Smith, Jane Austen, Diane Wynne Jones
  • Always plays music when she writes
  • Listens to Taylor Swift when writing
  • Keeps track of ideas by talking about it
  • Loves revenge story lines — she wants to do a revenge storyline

As you have read this far, I am all about rewarding effort and reading. Therefore I have an AWESOME contest for you. Note: Prizes provided/paid for by me. I have these books signed for ONE LUCKY Winner:

Signed Books Prize

Pyramid of signed books!

Enter using Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Comments

  1. Hmmm, fierce read, huh? Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans!

    Or, I’m about to read Stormdancer and I’m sure that will be FIERCEST of the fierce.

  2. So jealous you got to go to this event! Thanks for giving us a recap of it and all the awesome info you learned!

  3. AHHHH!! I freaking LOVE this post! Awesome recap and ROCKING giveaway!

  4. Great recap I love author events!

    I did find it a little funny that Cassandra Clare didn’t mention Harry Potter as one of her influences….lol

  5. You were there? SO WAS I!

  6. Hands down, I would go and see JK Rowling. It is one of my biggest dreams to be able to meet her in person and tell her I LOVE her books.

  7. I would definitely go drive 2 hours and more to meet JK Rowling (of course) – Also, Gayle Forman, Lauren Oliver, Lauren DeStefano – So many great authors that I’ve read this year! I would love to meet them!
    Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

  8. First, I am so jealous you were at this event!! I would definitely drive 2 hours (or like 20) to meet Juliet Marillier and/or JK Rowling. They are the two authors who influenced my life the most. Ahh just thinking about it makes me want to puke a little!!!

    P.S. Probably the best giveaway EVER?!

  9. I would totes have gone an extra hour to see the Melina Marchetta/Gayle Forman/Kristin Cashore event I went to last week. Also, I’d go pretty damn far out of my way to see Neil Gaiman. It’s so awesome that you got to attend this event, April! This is such a serious powerhouse line up. Thanks for the giveaway!

  10. I’d drive 2+ hours to actually meet J.R. Ward or Lara Adrian. I love both of their series. J.R. Ward especially!

  11. Sammi Fox says

    I would probably drive anywhere to meet any author. The only one I have actually met was Rick Riordan (And that was pretty much the best day of my life!) I would love to meet Cassie Clare, Holly Black, and Sarah Rees Brennan πŸ™‚

  12. Wonderful opportunity to see those authors! Of the three, I’ve seen Sarah Rees Brennan. She’s so funny! Seeing her in person made me want to read her books even though I’m kind of over paranormal/magical beings in YA.

    I’m amazingly fortunate to live close to one of the best independent bookstores in the country — they bring in every major kid lit and YA author. They hosted Cassie Clare this summer at an auditorium but I couldn’t go (also, as you said, it gets expensive buying all those books so I pick and choose what to go to!).

  13. I think I’d drive 2 hours to see Sarah Rees Brennan! I love her writing and her humor, and I think she’d be so entertaining and witty in person. I would also drive 2 hours to see Neil Gaiman or JK Rowling, and before he passed away, Ray Bradbury!

    My most favorite read so far this year is Seraphina. If you love high fantasy and dragons, I wholeheartedly recommend it!

    Thanks for this amazing giveaway!

  14. I’m so freaking jealous!! As soon as I heard about this signing I wanted to attend so badly but, alas, I live in Argentina and can’t afford to leave work & travel abroad at the time.
    BTW, Is this giveaway international? -fingers crossed-

  15. I…don’t drive. Because I just don’t. BUT I have dragged friends out of town to see authors – Laini Taylor was about an hour away, and the Fierce Reads tour was 2. And there are lots of authors that I would travel for, by whatever means necessary… =D

  16. Nice recap. I was thisclose to driving straight to this event from MA after Readercon but then I decided that that may be too much. If this event was closer to my home it would have been a different story. I REALLY need to read Holly Black’s Curse Workers series because I love caper/con stories, and I like her books. I don’t know why I haven’t read them yet. Oh yeah, the TBR..

  17. Very cool! Love that Cassie’s ringtone is Ed Westwick. I think I’d settle for having Ed Westwick answer my cell and relay all my calls to me personally. πŸ™‚

    Looks like the signing was a lot of fun!

  18. Ooh, great recap! I always wondered where Holly Black got Cassel’s name πŸ™‚

    An author I’d drive two hours to see would definitely be JK Rowling. I’d also make a long trip for Melina Marchetta (such an amazing writer), Lauren Oliver, Sarah Dessen, Richelle Mead, and Meg Cabot. πŸ™‚

    Thank you so very much for this generous giveaway!

  19. Kaitlyn Weaver says

    Iwould deff, go see Richelle Mead! She is my favorite, or Cassandra clare,her books are amazing! πŸ™‚

  20. Well, I recently drove two hours to see Leigh Bardugo, Anna Banks, Jennifer Bosworth, and Emmy Layborne on their Fierce Reads tour. It was awesome!

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

  21. So super jealous!!! I’ve never read any of Brennan’s books, but your list of bullet points on her REALLY makes me want to.

  22. My half-written review of White Cat is actually open in my other tab right now – surprised me when I came across this in my Reader during a procrastination spout!

    I absolutely loved it though – I bought Red Glove before I’d even finished it lol.

  23. I would definitely drive two hours to see J.K Rowling and Holly Black. I love anything they write. πŸ™‚

  24. I would drive 2 hours to meet Kate Mosse & Alice Hoffman.

  25. I would drive two hours to meet Cassie Clare, Holly Black, J. K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Laini Taylor, Richelle Mead, Gayle Forman, Lauren Oliver, Kristin Cashore, Rick Riordan, and others that I might have missed. Haha. πŸ™‚

  26. thanks for a fabulous giveaway! I’m so jealous that you got to go to a signing! I live in a part of the USA that’s not attractive to book tours and the nearest ones are usually 4+ hrs away πŸ™ But… one of these days…

  27. I am so jealous you got to go to this event! I would definitely drive 2+ hours to see Cassie Clare, Holly Black, Melina Marchetta, Richelle Mead, or Kristin Cashore!

  28. Ed Westwick is one of my top three voices. Yes, I have a list.

    I’d drive that distance or longer to see Patrick Rothfuss or Neil Gaiman. YES I WOULD. But sometimes I drive that distance for dinner because I live in the sticks. So, there’s that.

    This is really awesome and generous. I’ve still never been to an author signing. FAIL BOOK BLOGGER. Also, I live in the sticks. Ha

  29. I would drive reallly far to see Cassie Clare, Veronica Roth, Lauren Oliver, or Mary Higgins Clark. You’re so lucky you got to meet these authors; it sounds like an awesome book signing!

    Thanks for the chance to win these signed books, it’s really nice =)

  30. I would drive to see J.K. Rowling. DUH. Or Rick Riordan or Cassie or Eoin Colfer or Christopher Paolini or James Patterson. And a million more. I want all my books signed! πŸ˜›

  31. So. This giveaway is EPIC.
    I would drive to see… James Dashner or of course, Cassie Clare πŸ˜‰

    Thanks for the chance to win!

  32. Raychelle Smith says

    I would drive two hours to see Andrea Cremer, Sophie Jordan, or Josephine Angelini. I love their books! I did drive two hours for Julie Kagawa and I was not disappointed! It was great! =)

  33. Awesome giveaway! In November, I’ll actually be driving down for Y’all Fest so I’ll be able to meet: Cassie Clare, Stephanie Perkins, Cinda Chima and Simone Elkeles!

  34. I would drive to see Gena Showalter or Kresley Cole. Thanks for the chance to win!

  35. Leah Clifford. I LOVE A Touch Mortal and A Touch Morbid. SO GOOD. thanks for the giveaway, April!

  36. Oh. My. Goodness. What an AWESOME giveaway, and how very generous of you!!!! I bet that was such a phenomenal event! I would say I’d drive 2 hours to go to a signing/talk with George RR Martin (yes, I’ve been reading him for *years*, long before the HBO series ;)), Neil Gaiman, and – were it possible – Virginia Woolf! (ohh, to dream that were actually possible…) I think I’d also drive 2 hours to see Chuck Wendig…I’m reading “Blackbirds” right now (came out Jan of this year) and I would LOVE to know what the HECK goes through his mind on any given day!! Whoa.

    Speaking of Chuck Wendig and great reads — if you don’t mind some (ok, lots of) rather “blue” language and a bit of violence, and you like to be scared and freaked out, then I’d recommend you give this a try!!! It’s honestly like nothing I’ve ever read before. Thanks again!!

  37. I would drive two hours, actually more than 2 hours, to go see Cassandra Clare, Stephen King, or J.K. Rowling! Favorite writers ever!

  38. I’m so jealous that you got to meet Cassie Clare! I met Holly Black a few months ago and she was awesome!!!

  39. I think it’s awesome that teachers and librarians get an extra entry!! Thank you!

    I would travel quite a few hours to meet Cassie Clare or Suzanne Collins! πŸ™‚

  40. “…raise it up high if you spend money on books like it is monopoly money and not real money. Please tell me I am not the only one with this problem.”

    Uh, no! Have you seen my Shelves are Groaning posts?!! πŸ˜‰ Fantastic collection of books, and what a treat meeting those authors!

  41. Oh my goodness! This is amazing…
    You are so lucky, I’ve never been to a signing & I really want to go to one but unfortunately there aren’t many where I live D:
    Anyways great giveaway & thank you to you for providing it!

  42. Jessica Tan says

    I would travel so far to see J.K. Rowling. Simply wonderful!

  43. Jessica Tan says

    For me, a really great book is The Angels Trilogy by Lurlene McDaniel. I was touched and inspired and experienced a totally different culture.

  44. I am driving over two hours to see Jennifer L Armentrout next month, simply because I love all of her books!

  45. Awesome contest!

  46. Hmmm, authors I’d drive 2 hours for? JK Rowling is the obvious choice. Also Veronica Roth, Suzanne Collins, and John Green. There are probably more, but those are the ones I immediately think of πŸ™‚

  47. For these three authors I will drive even more than 2-hours to see them. For J.K. Rowling, I would take a non-stop flight.

  48. Who would I spend 2 hours to see? LOTS of people… πŸ™‚

    I would drive lots farther than that to meet Melina Marchetta.

    I’d also go way far out of my way to meet Lisa Schroeder or Zoe Marriott too… πŸ™‚

  49. I’d go ANYWHERE if I had the chance to see JK Rowling. But since that’s highly unlikely, I do have a few other authors I’d go a shorter distance to see. They include Lauren Oliver, Stephanie Perkins, Michelle Hodkin, and Rick Riordan are all great authors I’d see if they were 2 hours away.
    Thanks for this awesome giveaway!

  50. I would drive 2 hours for almost any author and I would drive as many hours needed to see Melissa Marr

  51. Wow. This giveaway is like a dream come true! HmmmÒ€¦ An author I’d drive 2 hrs to seeÒ€¦ UmmmÒ€¦ Meg Cabot or Emily MurdochÒ€¦

  52. Ooo, um plenty of people! Cassandra Clare (OF COURSE), Meg Cabot, Sarah Dessen, J.K. Rowling (OH GODS!!), Suzanne Collins and I could go on and on and on. Lucky you!! Hope you had tons of fun…it looked like it was! Thanks for the brilliant giveaway πŸ˜€

  53. I would drive 2 hours for Cassandra Clare, easily. She is fabulous and I think it would be quite an experience to see her in person πŸ™‚

  54. I’d drive 2 hours for Sarah Dessen or Holly Black !

  55. Great giveaway :DÒ€¦ Thankyou!

  56. Um, I just started TMI series this week and I’m already on book 5, so that should tell you something about how much I’d love to meet Cassandra Clare in person, even if I had to drive 5 hours instead of 2! πŸ™‚ I would love to pick her brain about TMI and her characters.