The Magic of Meeting Authors!

In early October I moved from the middle of Alaska to Salt Lake City, Utah. I wasn't particularly pleased about the move, I liked living in Alaska and didn't know any one in Utah other than my husband's family.

Two weeks after arriving here I went to my local library to get a few books and ran across the most amazing flyer ever. It was an advertisment for meeting local authors, only the local authors that day? Shannon Hale and Libba Bray!!!! Shannon Hale is one of my favorite authors ever. The only problem? The event started at 3 at another library and it was now 3:15. I drove as quickly as I could (while maintaining the legal speed limit) and made it to the other library just in time for the book signing! Sadly I missed the Q&A which was supposed to be awesome, but I was still stoked to get several books signed.

This started me on a journey, I had to find and attend more signings. And I did, I attended quite a few over the next two months until they stopped for the holiday seasons. Actually, the holiday season was pretty awesome. The King's English Bookshop had a holiday party and I got to meet all sorts of authors while there!

After I met Shannon Hale and Libba Bray I had an idea. I wanted a way to display autographs and there really isn't a way to do that when they just sign the inside of the book. My project was born. I took several old books with sentimental meaning that unfortunately had been ruined in the move and I cut out some of my favorite passages. I decoupaged them on to a 12x12 cardboard square as a base for my project. Now, every time I go to a signing or meet an author I ask them to sign a paint chip, a 2x4 paint sample on cardstock. Eventually when I have enough of them I will mount them on the cardboard squares, mat, and frame them for display.
Pictures of the process!

These are the authors that I have met and gotten signatures from:
Brandon Mull
Bree Despain
Michelle Davidson Argyle
James Dashner
Brodi Ashton
Jessica Day George
Jennifer Nielsen
Robinson Wells

There are several more, but unfortunately I have a terrible memory for names.

And more exciting news!
On Saturday I am going to the Breathless Reads Tour at Barnes and Noble in Orem and I will have the chance to meet 5 more authors! I hope that while I am there I can get all my books signed plus the paint chips and not have to stand in line for over an hour per author. But a girl has to do what a girl has to do.
Authors of the West Coast Breathless Reads Tour:
Marie Lu
Jessica Khoury (I am super excited to meet her, I reviewed her book Origin earlier in this blog.)
Andrea Cremer
Brenda Yovanoff

PLUS special guest:
Ally Condie

I actually had the chance to go to an event in November for Ally Condie but unfortunately that day my nanny child decided to spit up all over me and I was not in the mood after that.

I plan on posting pictures after the event!