TGIF!!! and author encounters.....

It's TGIF over at GReads!!!   Actually, today, I'm off work, so it is totally a wonderful Friday.....  and I hope you all are enjoying your Friday, as well.  Anyway ....  back to TGIF:  Every week, Ginger hosts TGIF, where we all get to answer a question (and then see what everyone else has to say, too).   This week's question is:

Authors Are Our Celebrities: Have you ever contacted 

an author you admired? How did that experience go?  If not, which author would you love to have a chat with?

I agree with Ginger, that one of the great things about being a book blogger is being able to interact (hopefully) with some of our favorite authors, whether it's via email, or Twitter, or in person.   I'm lucky enough to have an absolutely wonderful indie bookstore near me that hosts all kinds of author signings, so I've met some of my favorite authors, including Maggie Stiefvater, Melissa Marr, and others.   I've also been fortunate enough to meet authors at the various conventions I go to.  Here are a few of my top author-contact experiences:

Carolyn Turgeon:   I had loved Rain Village (which I just re-read and posted about), so when she had a new book published, Mermaid, I grabbed it right away.  And I absolutely loved it.  So much, in fact, that I contacted Carolyn (trying not to be too fan-girl and gushy), and then I made a mermaid necklace for her and sent it to her.  I've never done that before, and I didn't want her to think I was all stalker-y .... but I had just gotten a cool mermaid pendant from Green Girl Studios, and I had some nice flourite beads....   Anyway, she was very gracious about it all (and sent me a book, too!)

Jane Yolen:  I had grown up reading Jane Yolen's books, and one of my favorites was (and still is), a book of stories called The Moon Ribbon.   When I was still in library school, I saw that the American Library Association convention was going to be in Chicago, so I thought I'd get a one-day pass (if nothing else, to just drink in all the librarian vibes there).  I saw that she was on the list of authors slated to be there, so I grabbed my beloved copy of The Moon Ribbon.   When I approached her, sitting quietly in a booth, I thought I'd be all cool ..... and then, for whatever reason, got completely choked up.  I was able to stammer out that I just loved this book, and it meant so much to me growing up ---- and she seemed surprised to see the book (it's been out of print for a long time).  She was really nice, and inscribed my book for me, and I was able to say thank you and then stumble away.  Not the best impression, probably, but I think she could tell I was feeling a bit overwhelmed (and I appreciated she was so nice).  

China Miéville:  If you read my blog, you know I have a love for this author's books.  I also admit to having a huge author crush on him ..... in my mind, he's perfect (and don't tell me if you know he's not .... I'd rather just imagine that this man, who crafts some of my favorite books, is perfect).   I had actually contacted him a few years ago through his publisher, and got a very nice email back from him (and when I read it, at work, I did a little happy dance right there in the office).  However, I was lucky enough to actually meet him at a convention in Chicago last year.  I actually walked past him first, realized it was him, and my heart started pounding (I had to keep walking, and get myself all calm again).  The next day, when I heard him speak (sitting in the front row, right in front of him ... oh yes, it was awesome), it was great --- but then, I got to stand in line, and have him sign two of my books.  I think the only thing that saved me from fainting dead away was the fact that my husband was there with me (I had told him he had to come with, just in case I did faint ... or make a blathering idiot out of myself, at which point he could physically drag me away).   I think I can die happy now, now that I've met this man that I've had an absolutely huge author crush on for a long time.   And let me tell you ..... in person, he does look pretty perfect.  Not that I was checking him out or anything ...... well, maybe a little bit..... 

There are still authors I would love to have some contact with, and one that I regret never sending a letter to -- I always wanted to write to Ray Bradbury and let him know how much I love his writing, and I always felt a bit too geeky to do it .... and now, he just passed away.   From now on, I'll be braver about contacting authors.    :)

I'm looking forward to reading about everyone else's experiences.  Happy Friday, everyone!