32 hours in LA

Yeah, I know I had originally said 37, but that was counting travel time. It was really only 32 hours on land. But I packed them as solid as I could, and only used 7 of them for sleeping. So the other 25? Let's see:

[Below:The Biltmore Bowl/SCBA trade show]
After getting settled in my room, changing out of airplane grubbies into something more appropo, and dining in the hotel ristorante, we (my agent Charlotte and I) took the boxes of my books down to the trade show--which was being held in the Biltmore Bowl. The Biltmore Bowl? Why does that sound familiar? Because it was the site of several of the first Academy Awards ceremonies, in the 1930s. That gave me pause. You know how rooms retain energy. Well. So here's a photo of that room, full of tables of books. I camped out there for 2 hours signing books, meeting booksellers, other writers, etc.

[Below: me, Charlotte; at the Authors' Feast]














The Authors' Feast was the highlight of the day, where I got to break bread [and pumpkin/yam/ brown sugar soup, a Thanksgiving-themed dinner, and chololate-raspberry torts] with 300 of my closest friends. Awards were given, conversation was rich and exciting, laughter was abundant. Table 19 was quite lively. Toward the end of dessert, I did indeed waltz on over to sit by one of my writer-idols, Janet Fitch, and ask her to sign the copy of Paint It Black I'd been toting around all afternoon. We talked about books and writing and 'the process' as it were, and she was one of the nicest, most easy-to-talk-to people I met all weekend. I won't directly dis any of the other people I met, but let me just say, there are some whackos out there. Especially when you add a bottle (or three) of wine. But mostly I adored everyone I met, I hope I made some good connections, and I felt really honored to be in such great company. I got to spend time with my bud Debra Ginsberg, who a) so brilliantly edited Beachglass before it went to publishers and b) has her own novel coming out next week (called Blind Submission: go to www.debraginsberg.com). I also got to chat with Michael Walker, author of Laurel Canyon; and Amy Stewart, author of Flower Confidential; also met some very nice folks from Vroman's, Russo's, and Village Books; and for the first time in person got to connect with the St Martin's sales reps, Mike & Marshall. All really, really great people. In case I didn't go on enough, yes the Biltmore is super-swanky. Quite possibly the most gorgeous hotel in LA. Old-time, large-scale. Regal. Gargoyles, arches everywhere, flowers 5 feet tall, indoor palms against marble walls, grapevines carved into the pillars. Rugs for days. 40-foot ceilings. Here's a glimpse, though the photos don't do it any justice (you might be able to view them larger by clicking on them).

Then after it was all over we each got to claim our lovely parting gift: giant boxes of books! I teetered back to my room on my high heels with this carton that likely weighed as much as I do, and opened it while on the phone with hubby. It was like Christmas all over again: hardcover books, paperback books, children's books, books I've been wanting to read, books I would have bought soon anyway, books that aren't even out yet, books piled high all around me! Books, books, books! I was in heaven! Well, except for the few weird sci-fi/fantasy/freaky books, but those we can ebay. No offense. I fell asleep listening to the street sounds of downtown LA, sirens and the occasional random shout, a pile of new books by my bedside, a smile on my face.

THEN JUST WHEN I THOUGHT MY WEEKEND COULDN'T GET ANY COOLER, my oldest bestest friend Jenni picked me up the next morning, and we not only got to spend the day together (a perfect dry blue sunshiney 85-degree day I might add) but we had bagels & lox at the Bagel Broker and coffees from the Coffee Bean; and later, nasty greasy burritos from Dos Burritos on Hollywood Blvd. Jenni ordered in espanol: Burrito con frijoles y queso for me; I'm a purist. Same for her but con arroz. Carne asada and nachos for the rest of her fam. Giant Sprites: Sprites in white styrofoam cups the size of small children. Grease from the cheese coming through the papery tortilla and running down my wrists. Love sitting on the porch in the shade talking and sweating and watching the traffic on Franklin. Love the 101 through Hollywood, and Wilshire out of downtown. Even the drive to LAX was spectacular. The sunset through the plane window, brilliant. Landing at a wet 50-degree Sea-Tac airport, not so much...

Here are Jenni & me, and LA:

new quote for the trade paperback version

It's one thing to get cool quotes for your book jacket; it's another to get cool quotes from authors whose books you've really loved...
A few weeks back I took a chance and sent a note to Martha O'Connor (see www.marthaoconnor.com) asking if she might consider reading Beachglass and providing us with a quote for the trade paper version (to be released in May 2007). We have the same publisher and publicist, after all. Lo and behold, she read and loved the book, and sent me this gem:

"With richly textured scenes and characters, Wendy Blackburn's debut novel explores the fragile world of addiction, recovery, and loss. She navigates this tough territory effortlessly and with the clear-headed vision of one who's been there. Delicately portraying friendship and loss, temptation and redemption, the turmoil of addiction and the hard-won gifts of recovery, BEACHGLASS is highly recommended for every reader--and required reading for all those in recovery. You know how they tell you "Don't leave the meeting five minutes before the miracle happens?" Well, don't leave the bookstore without BEACHGLASS in your hand. It's a miracle on the page. Kudos to Wendy Blackburn; I read this book in two days, and I'll be watching for her next."

She signed off with, "Thanks for the gift of your book. It was very moving. "

And I am very honored. It looks like this one (shortened just a touch in the interest of design, space, and potential-customer attention-span) will go on the front of the book.

There are two other authors I hope to acquire quotes from; I feel like I'm seven years old and writing to Shaun Cassidy -- but this time people are writing back.

as if you haven't heard enough of my babbling...

There's a new interview/review on the fabulously-named site/blog "Conversations with Famous Writers." Go to: http://conversationsfamouswriters.blogspot.com/ and scroll down a bit. It was posted on Monday 10/9.

oh, but what ever will i wear!?

So I haven't posted in a while because my every waking moment has been consumed by everything else, namely the fab news that I have been invited to attend the SCBA Authors Feast and Trade Show in LA later this month!!! At the Biltmore. The Biltmore! With fancy famous real-live writers -- and, apparently, me! I'm even on the schedule for autographing books -- right after the luncheon with Ray Bradbury. OMG.

So the afternoon will be about meeting booksellers and getting gads of copies of Beachglass into the hands of people who can help get it into the hands of readers. This is exciting beyond words. Then at night, the dinner is a musical chairs sort of meal: each course is spent at a different table so everyone winds up meeting and talking with lots of differnt people -- authors, sales reps, booksellers, publishers, etc. There are awards and a reception and it all just sounds so great. Many thanks to my agent, my publisher, the SCBA, the fates, for making this happen. Flights are booked, books are being delivered, and I am actively on the hunt for a new LBD.

I mentioned to my hubby that I wanted to bring a sharpie and have everybody sign my t-shirt, but he thought that might be a tad bit gauche. I know - me, gauche? HA. Well, at the very least, I'll bring my copy of Paint It Black for Janet Fitch to sign, as we will apparently be breaking bread together. Maybe I'll even bring my tattered, sticky-noted, well-loved copy of White Oleander so she can sign that too. Or I'll just stick with the t-shirt. Either way, she'll see what a big fan I am. Or think I'm a stalker. Whichever.

The best part? Shoe shopping. I may need to find something new and black and strappy, as my other black and strappies are, well: not new anymore. Is there anything in the world like wearing never-ever-before-worn shoes to a special event? I think not.

AND...and I get to spend time on Sunday with my very best childhood buddy. Total bonus. Throw in a trip to Canter's Deli and a burrito from Campos, and I am one happy traveler. How much LA can one squeeze into 37 hours? A lot.

I'll be sure to post photos upon my return; if not of the dinner, at least of the shoes.