One of the cool things about being a book fan is that authors are a very approachable bunch. Still they are not thick on the ground, so it isn’t everyday you have an opportunity to meet your favorite authors in person. This past weekend I had the great good fortune to meet Sci-fi romance author Linnea Sinclair, so I thought I’d share a little bit about my fan-girl squee moment.
Linnea was in town to be the guest speaker at my writing group. I’m one of the education coordinators for the group and one of the perks is getting to pick the guests and spend extra time with them. About seven of us had dinner with Linnea Friday night. Ever wonder what the dinner conversation is like around a bunch of women who write genre fiction? Well, I recall talk of wines and Brazilian cabana boys. The cabana boy subject became the running joke for the weekend. Linnea turned out to be very knowledgeable about wines and made some good recommendations. Note, if you ever want to impress Linnea with your adoration choose wines over chocolates.
Linnea also told us all about the Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention held annually in the spring. She’s been attending to meet fans for years. She had some great stories about the events there and the Intergalactic Bar and Grill party she sponsors during the conference. She outed the talented sci-fi romance author Jess Granger as the master balloon-figure maker who helped decorate the tables with balloon aliens and UFOs at last year’s party. If you are looking for a chance to meet your favorite authors, this event is one great place to find them.
On Saturday, Linnea spoke to our writers group sharing great craft and business tips for writers. She is a funny, dynamic, and knowledgeable speaker. If you are a writer, I highly recommend catching her workshops whenever you have an opportunity. She also gave away some of her books during the workshop. I snagged Games of Command (shown above). I must report that the books were so in demand I wasn’t able to snag any extras for giveaways—apologies dear readers.
So that was my fan girl moment—dinner and wine with a fabulous author. I don’t think I did or said anything too embarrassing. Not a bad weekend all in all. So, have you had any fan-girl (or boy) moments? Let’s hear ’em!
Smart Girls love SciFi 
Charlie, how very nice to be able to meet someone whose work you enjoy, I so far have only dreamed of doing so… Glad you got to share a meal and chat with Linnea, sounds like you had a great time!
May get my chance in March of next year though as Kim Harrison author of “The Hollow” series about Rachel Morgan is coming to Austin to do book signing/meet and greet for her release of “Pale Demon” and that is one really plan on attending…
It is amazing how accessible authors are online, have to say my Sqeeee moments happen on Twitter so far and email as have “met” and chatted with Jill Myles, Paula Quinn, Juliana Stone, Stacia Kane, Jackie Kessler and of course my personal favorite as we communicate often on blog and email Maria Zannini!
If only could meet and greet them all in person that would truly make me faint!
jackie >_<
So jealous! I’d love to hear her talk in person. Are you on her Yahoo group loop? (Group loop is incredibly fun to say out loud.) She’s super smart and is usually willing to talk writing business and craft questions there.
One of these days, I’m going to make it to Romantic Times.
And let us know how you like Games of Command! I swoon every time I think of Kel-Paten. 🙂
Not on her group loop (chuckle). That is kind of fun to say. I just can’t do LA for RT this year. Too far and not a fan of LA to boot. We were trying to talk her into coming to RWA Nationals in NY this year. Fingers crossed! We’re plotting a fuzzy slipper party. 😉
That is so cool! I’m excited for you. My fangirl moment would be meeting Linda Howard. Ah well…ain’t never gonna happen. I did meet and hug Maya Angelou…now that was a transcendent moment!
I’m a huge LH fan too. I’ve seen her a few times in elevators at conference but never had the nerve to approach her. I would probably stutter hopelessly. 😉 Maya Angelou – very cool.
My new fan girl moment was meeting Cherry Adair at Nationals. I actually hadn’t read anything by her, but she completely fascinated me (and I got a signed book!).
My number one fan girl moment was Diana Gabaldon. OMG. And more than once. And I have several signed books! AND she shook my hand! Hee hee hee hee. OkayI’mdonenow.
Linnea was awesome. And I learned so much.
Congratulations on meeting Linnea! Her books are on my (groaning) ‘to read’ pile.
This year, I met Carrie Vaughn, which was way cool. I even got a photo. I think, though, if I ever met Ilona and Gordon Andrews I could then die happy. Until I either get to Portland, or they come to Australia, that’s unlikely though… 😦
Oceans do tend to get in the way. 😉 Luckily, there are lots of amazing authors in your corner of the planet.