Melissa A does BEA

By Melissa Amster

Star-struck!

I went to Book Expo America (BEA) for the first time, and what an experience it was! Due to my crazy schedule, I was only there for a day, but I made the most of it. I didn’t go to any seminars, but I was plenty busy! The day started out with an autographing session from Neil Patrick Harris. He has an autobiography coming out and signed a small excerpt booklet. I got in line and figured I’d try my luck. As luck would have it, I was one of the last through before they cut off the line entirely. And Neil even let me do a selfie with him! Legen…wait for it…dary! Of course, I was all star-struck and giggly and couldn’t keep my eyes off his nail polish, which was dark blue and glittery.

After that, I went on my search for Liz and Lisa (who are featured at CLC today). On the way there, I saw the Little, Brown booth and stopped by to meet Michelle, who is not only a great publishing contact, but also graduated high school with me 20 years ago. (Sorry to age us, but 20 is a pretty big reunion year…not that I’m even going to mine.) It was great to see her again and she is as nice as I remember her from high school.

Mini reunion!

I finally found Liz and Lisa after exchanging texts with them and hung out while they were waiting in line to meet one of their author crushes. We got some photos together and then walked over to the Macmillan booth, where Rainbow Rowell was signing copies of her upcoming novel, Landline. At first, we weren’t going to be able to get her autograph without a ticket, but Liz and Lisa got on the “gatekeeper’s” good side and he let us in. It was great to meet Rainbow, as I love the two books of hers that I have read so far and am excited to check out her other two soon.  Then we stopped by Penguin and got a bunch of galleys.

I may have eluded to this in this morning’s post, but Liz and Lisa are so wonderful in person. They’re a lot of fun and you can just tell that they’re best friends by the way they interact with each other. They remind me of the connection I have with my BFF. (Just like them, we’re separated by a bunch of states but talk all the time.) I love listening to them talk. They have great speaking voices that resonate with their chick lit loving nature. (I can’t really explain any further than this, but if you’ve heard them talk, you know what I mean.) They even have some books from BEA to give away at their blog!

With Liza

A little while later, Liz and Lisa left for lunch and I took a short break before walking around and checking out all the booths. I met up with another blogger friend, Liza from WhoRuBlog, for a few minutes. She is just as friendly as she is online and I wish we had more time to hang out and talk. I’m glad I got to see her in person though! While walking around, I managed to get pictures of Anjelica Huston, Billy Idol, and Jane Lynch. I didn’t feel like waiting for their autographs, as the lines were pretty long. Instead, I got in line to meet Stephanie Evanovich, author of Big Girl Panties and The Sweet Spot. She is so outgoing and enthusiastic. I can totally see how her personality plays into her writing. The moment she saw me, she knew who I was. Her publisher was there too and I recognized her name from multiple e-mail exchanges, so it was nice to make that connection too.

With Stephanie Evanovich

Cuter in person!

Since I was one of the first in line to meet Stephanie, I managed to get a spot in line to meet B.J. Novak (from The Office) while he was signing his children’s book at the Penguin booth. Again, I was totally star-struck and couldn’t think of anything witty to say. He’s even cuter in person. While waiting to meet him, I found out that Liane Moriarty was across the way signing her latest novel, Big Little Lies. I didn’t even know she was going to be there, so that was a huge surprise. I got to meet her and she also knew who I was. She was so sweet and I wish we could have chatted longer, as well. Her publisher was there and I also got to make the name to face connection.

The final author I waited in line to meet that day was R.J. Palacio, author of Wonder. It’s a book for kids (probably starting at fourth grade), but adults have been reading it too. My son and I both read it, so I had her sign a bag for him. Afterward, I went around the area one more time to make sure I didn’t miss out on any galleys and then headed back to the hotel to get ready for the evening excitement.

While I was at the hotel, I got to meet my roommate, Julie Valerie. She’s also a blogger and is working on her own novel. Jen Tucker had suggested that we be roommates and she knows me well enough to know that I’d love Julie. She was definitely right! We had a fun time chatting while I was getting ready to meet my friend for dinner before BookBuzz and then got to hang out more at the event. We were joking about how we met in a hotel.

With Julie Valerie

BookBuzz was a wonderful event. It reminded me of the first time I felt accepted by a group of people, which was at Rocky Horror in 1994. Everyone was just so nice and it was like having a reunion with people, even though I’ve only met them online prior to this event. I got to meet Lydia Laceby, Samantha Stroh Bailey, Meredith Schorr, Samantha March, Brenda Janowitz, Sheryn MacMunn, Francine LaSala, Lynn Marie Hulsman, Cat Lavoie, Glynis Astie, Ariella Papa, Lynn Messina, Holly Peterson, Heather Wardell…..and my blog sister, Marlene Engel from BookMama! The drink of the night was a “Pink Stiletto,” which as really good! (It’s basically pink lemonade and vodka.) I had such a nice time chatting with everyone. My friend from dinner was also there for the event and she had a great time too and made some connections. The time went by so fast and we stayed there well past the ending of the event. I was hoping we would be able to go somewhere quieter to hang out and chat more, but we just ended up staying at the bar the entire time. It was so hard to part ways when the clock struck midnight and we were all about to turn into very sleepy pumpkins! (Samantha Stroh Bailey and I compared it to that let down feeling after your Bat Mitzvah party has ended.) Anyway, it was amazing to meet all these fabulous women and chat with them in a group or one-on-one. 

With Julie, Francine, Marlene, Samantha March,
Lynn Marie Hulsman, Lydia Laceby, Heather Wardell,
and K.C. Wilder

Overall, BEA and BookBuzz made last Thursday very memorable for me. I'm still on a high from it! I wish Amy could have been there, as she lives nearby but wasn't available that day. I hope we'll get to meet the next time I'm in town. I highly suggest that you check out BEA and BookBuzz next year! I hope I'll be able to do this again. It's like going to Disney World (well, BEA is a bit more complex in terms of strategizing your day), as in you just want to go back immediately after you've left.

Here are some more pics from BookBuzz 2014:

With Brenda Janowitz

With my friend Linda, showing off our Pink Stilettos!

With Lydia Laceby

With Marlene Engel

With Sam Bailey and Marlene

Selfie with Meredith Schorr

Selfie with Sam

Life's a Beach and Princeton Library is living proof!

By Amy Bromberg

**Giveaway is now closed**

I’m SO excited to share some great news! Not sure if any of you have seen my tweets and Facebook posts about how Chick Lit Central is partnering up with the Princeton Public Library in hosting Beach Reads “Girls’ Night Out” on Friday June 7th at 6:30pm. This event will be the kick-off to their adult summer reading program that the library runs ever year. Summer is nearly here and it is time to start planning the list of what you plan to read. This event will definitely help you get your summer beach read list ready. A panel of authors, which I will be moderating, will talk about their latest books and share what they have on their summer readings lists.

The panel includes:
1. Author Priscille Sibley will discuss her debut The Promise of Stardust.
2. Novelist Christina Baker Kline will talk about her latest novel Orphan Train.
3. New York Times bestselling author Pamela Redmond will discuss her latest novel The Possibility of You.
4. TV writer and former TIME magazine staff writer Lisa Takeuchi Cullen will discuss her second book and first novel Pastors’ Wives.
5. Talking about her fifth novel, The Widow Waltz, will be author Sally Koslow.
6. Bestselling authors Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (“The Nanny Diaries”) will discuss their latest novel Between You And Me.
7. Author Beatriz Williams will be talking about A Hundred Summers which will be released on May 30th.

Following the panelists’ discussions of their books and recommendations for summer “must reads,” the authors will sign their books that may be purchased at a Labyrinth Books booth at the event. Of course there will be yummy refreshments including cupcakes, sorbet and so much more! There will also be baskets including copies of the books along with some beach items will be raffled off during the event.

Thanks to the library we have TWO awesome giveaways to share with you. For those who unfortunately won’t be able to make it (if you don’t live local, etc.) you can enter to win two books of your choice signed by the authors, which will be mailed to the winner after the event (US only). For any of you who are thinking about coming, you can enter to win reserved front row seats for you and two friends on the night of the event, plus a book of your choice to be signed that night. You may enter one giveaway or the other. Just leave a comment saying which giveaway you want to enter.

For more information check out the event’s Pinterest board and the information about the event on the library’s website. For any and all additional information please feel free to call (609.924.9529 x220) or email Janie L Hermann.

How to enter the giveaways:
Please comment below and say which giveaway you're entering. (If you're able to attend the event, you may enter both.) Giveaways are:

• TWO books of your choice from the list above (anyone from the US may enter)
• Reserved front row seats to the event for yourself and two friends, plus ONE book of choice (for the winner only) to be signed that night. (Only enter if you are planning to attend)

Please include your e-mail address or another way to reach you if you win. Entries without contact information will NOT be counted.

Both giveaways end May 29th at midnight EST.

"It's a doggy dog world" and we have a giveaway to prove it!

By Amy Bromberg

**Giveaway is now closed**

To quote from one of my favorite shows, "Modern Family," Gloria likes to say "It's a doggy dog world" instead of "It's a dog-eat-dog world." "That doesn't make any sense. Who wants to live in a world where dogs eat each other? "Doggy Dog World" is a beautiful world of little puppies!" And Trixie and Peanut in New York City caters to all the "doggy dogs" in the world.

I had such an awesome time at Wade Rouse’s book signing for “I’m Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship” on Wednesday, September 7th at Trixie and Peanut.

So...you might be asking how I found out about this event. Why, on Jen Lancaster’s Facebook wall, of course!! Jen Lancaster is one of 20 in a group, authors, comedians, and actors, who have contributed to this hilarious collection of essays, on what living with and loving a dog means to them. Ready for a huge chick lit line up of authors? Here we go: Allie Larkin, Jenny Gardiner, Caprice Crane, Jane Green, Beth Harbison, Sarah Pekkanen, Beth Kendrick and, of course, Jen Lancaster. In addition to meeting Wade Rouse, I had the pleasure of meeting Caprice Crane, Jenny Gardiner and Jane Green.

I was a few feet away from Trixie and Peanut when all of a sudden I saw Caprice Crane. Once I knew it was her, I screamed “Caprice Crane?” I can’t tell you how excited I was. Unfortunately, she was leaving, but of course I asked if I could get a picture.





Trixie and Peanut is such an adorable and chic dog boutique. Any dog lover would go bananas.



I also met the lovely Jenny Gardiner. Besides being a dog lover, I learned that she lives in Virginia and she’s currently looking at colleges for her oldest.



It was an honor to meet and speak with the fabulous Jane Green. She is such a sweet heart. When I told her I was with Chick Lit Central, she said how we are an awesome group to work with.



And last, but definitely not least, I met Wade Rouse. Just from talking to him for only a few minutes I was able to tell his love for dogs, as well as his enthusiasm and passion for this book. We chatted about how I love chick lit, and that I’m part of CLC, and we would love to have him as a guest...STAY TUNED!!


Finally, here's a group picture.



Thanks to Kaitlyn Kennedy at Penguin Group, we have two copies of "I’m Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship" to give to some lucky readers in the US.

How to win "I’m Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: If you have a pet, tell us why they are such a huge part of your life. If you don't have a pet, tell us what your favorite kind of animal is.
2. Friend Wade Rouse on Facebook and follow him on Twitter. Please leave a comment saying where you are following him.
3. Post this contest on Facebook, Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
6. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US only. Giveaway ends September 21st at midnight EST.