village books

I had a wonderful time at Village Books in Bellingham last night! Thanks to all of you who attended.  I know last year when I came for Gemma it was packed, but I certainly didn’t expect such a huge crowd to show up for Porcupine.  It’s not that I don’t think Porcupine is worth it, because I love this book.  But I was led to believe that unless you tie a YA book to a school visit, nobody will show up.  That’s why I didn’t try to book bookstore events.  The only reason I was at Bellingham is because I met Sheri (the events coordinator) at The Pacific Booksellers Conference.  She suggested I come, I tried to warn her off of it, she persisted and SHE WAS RIGHT!

A tremendous turnout of warm, welcoming, intelligent, fun people.  The place was packed, we laughed, we cried, I confessed to things that perhaps were left better unsaid.  Ahem…the occasional R______ N____!  When I confessed to that, a huge gasp ricocheted around the room.  Heh…heh…heh…I’m not what you think!  There was that quartet of laughing life-loving women who came.  I remembered them from last years event.  They invited me to go carousing with them and even though I’m generally not the carousing type, I was tempted, because these women obviously know how to have fun!  I met a very special family who told me it was the first author event their kids had ever been to.  I was moved that they chose mine.  Margaret was there, bearing truffles (what a sweetheart)  Nan did as well.  I am embarrassed to say that I did eat a few chocolates on the ride home.  Okay, more than a few. 

A woman flew in from (I don’t remember where and dang, her name has vaulted out of my head.)  Anyway, she was my stand-in on my least favorite movie of all time.  But I remembered her face.  And her little boy who was two when I last saw him and apparently I carried him around on my hip at the whole wrap party is 25 now!  Gadzooks how time flies!

Hmmmm…I’m wondering if all those YA book experts were wrong about bookstore events.  Nah…They probably weren’t.  I bet no one showing up for YA is the norm.  It’s just Bellingham that’s different.  I love this town-city.  Every time we’ve visited, I always say to Don, “If I had to live in the States, I think I’d settle down in Bellingham.“ 

Anyway, all of you who attended, thank you for coming.  Thank you for opening your hearts to me and Jack.  Thank you Chuck and Dee for having me again.  I LOVE your bookstore!

Posted by Meg Tilly on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 in Chewing the Fat