i got home on monday afternoon and i’m still
trying to wrangle a semblance of sanity in our
house!  the san francisco signing at the books inc
in laurel village was so much fun. i saw high school
friends i had not seen since graduation…18 years ago!
what?! my twenty year reunion is coming up!

fotos galore! but i neglected to take a picture of
the cupcakes–from sweet things recommended by
my friend at 6togo as well as martha!

kara and her husband, greg, flew all the way
from arizona to come attend my signing–their very
first book signing. kara already read my book and i was
so happy to see her. we know each other from…the baby
boards! both our munchkins are close in age! kara also took
the majority of my fotos with friends. =D

i look constipated here. this
is no reflection on kara–or me. i hope. ha!!

the fabulous martha! we are in an embrace!
jennifer l who ran the event brought gorgeous
flowers for my signing table!

NINJALICIOUS NANCY is part of the word ninjas, ink
group that i recently joined. she was so kind to bring her
friend and goddaughter, anna, a teen reader! the perfect
person for my book. thanks so much for coming!!

mary who runs the awesome site kidlit!
i’ll see you in los angeles, mary!! =D

jon yang, who’s own YA debut, EXCLUSIVELY CHLOE
released today! congrats, jon! cannot wait to read this!

sarina took the day off to come in from sacramento.
we’ve been online friends for nearly a decade, i’d say.
but first time we’ve met! it was such a highlight! she
gave me a present, which i didn’t open until after the signing.
it’s a lovely leather bound journal with my name engraved
on it. thank you so much for such a thoughtful gift, sarina!
and for celebrating my release with me!

fellow 09 debs malinda lo and cheryl herbsman attended!
cheryl’s debut, breathing just released as well. we traded
author copies and i’m very excited to read it!

m lo’s debut, ash, a lesbian retelling of cinderella
will be out later this year. aren’t both these covers
so gorgeous and evocative?

christine came with her honey in tow
(i gave her cute honey a thumbs up! ha!)
another online friend whom it was so much
fun to meet in person!

the beautiful edna! we first met at the scbwi conference
last summer and she’s been such a fantastic resource
and friend since. i also met her lovely “daughter” who
is in college. yeah. i don’t believe it either.

the books inc at laurel village was perfect for
my signing. it was a store with a very cozy and
welcoming feel, with lots of parking in the back.
i did a question and answer session, coaxed by
jennifer l–hey, i may actually read the third time
around! and just had a fabulous time. it never ceases
to make my heart full when i see old friends and
new come out to support me.

sweet pea showing you who’s boss.
(we fight a lot. we both want to be boss.
i don’t know what will happen in ten years’
time. haha!) but she was my little helper
handing me bookmarks to give to people.
where was munchkin? running around like
a rabid monkey upstairs and stuffing cupcakes
down his trap. =D

now onto silver phoenix news!!
i spent the majority of yesterday in dire need
of a sound proof padded room as i wanted to bounce
off the walls literally finding out my debut was named
one of the top ten fantasy novels for youth by booklist!
gaiman, pratchett and … pon? i still can’t get over it.

never in my dreams did i think i’d be on any type of
list with neil g–not even coolest dark wavy hair category.
haha! i seriously feel like the kid who crashed the
grand ball and crawled under the table sneaking sweets. =p~

speaking of which, a signing time for ALA CHICAGO in
july has been set. i’ll be signing on saturday, JULY 11th
at 10am along with fellow debut author extraordinaire
and greenwillowite partner in crime, david m. gill!

also, i’ll be flying out to nyc for a wedding the weekend
of september 18th and will  be doing a signing in
nyc as well. details are forthcoming. i’m very excited–i’ve
not been since i graduated from nyu with my masters back
in may 2000! it’s been too long, new york, new york!

finally, want another chance to win a signed copy of
silver phoenix? jordyn is doing a give away on her blog!
there is ONE PERSON participating so, um, your chances
are good currently. =D

also, please don’t forget to comment on my own
silver phoenix contest. i’ve seen A LOT of linky love
and reviews, but if you don’t comment with link in that
actual post, it’s impossible for me to keep track. i’m running
on 2 brain cells at the moment! i think if we hit 200 comments
with links, i’d feel obliged to give out TWO prizes. weeee!
contest runs through JUNE 8th so there is plenty of time!

off to pick up sweet pea from kindy now!