Sunday, May 29, 2011

Sunday Salon: That was the week that was!

In last week's Sunday Salon I talked about the week I had coming up. I said it was going to be busy and I was right!

I was out every night this week as well as trying to do Armchair BEA. I had so much fun participating in Armchair BEA again this week, but I did run out of steam by the end of the week. I had pre written 3 posts, plus a couple of reviews, but with not being home I didn't get time to write the final two posts. I do want in particular to address the question about community, but I will save that for a future Sunday Salon post I think.

I was lucky enough to be interviewed not once, but twice, and I won a book that I have really wanted to read ever since it started to be blogged about so that was great too! Firstly, I was interviewed over at the Armchair BEA site as part of a group of four international bloggers. I talked a LOT, but then again that probably won't be a surprise to any of my regular readers. Also, I was interviewed by Rebecca from Kindle Fever, and finally I was lucky enough to be given a shout out by The Book Gatherer as well!

Last week I mentioned that I was doing a couple of book related things. First of all, I went to see Cassandra Clare in person. The event was held at Westgarth Theatre, which is a gorgeous venue. The theatre has an art deco vibe and the interior is very much an old fashioned theatre - big comfy, plush seats, loads of leg room,  and little trays in between each seat where you can put your drink.

The evening started off with a drama presentation of one of the earliest scenes in City of Bones, where Clary has just come to the Institute with Jace and there is opposition. It must have been a lot of fun for Cassandra Clare to see that, although with the movie casting news coming thick and fast, I am sure that it is something that she will be getting used to!

Local author Leanne Hall dressed up as Magnus and interviewed Cassandra Clare, who did really well to get up on the stage in the first place. The stairs were a little precarious, and she was wearing high heels despite the fact that she currently has a broken toe. What a trooper! Then again, I gave up wearing high heels except when I absolutely have to years ago!

Among some of the things that were discussed was the movie process, and about how involved or otherwise the author is in the casting process. She also talked about her future plans in terms of the books she would like to write. There will be more books set in the same world as her current series, and there are some plans for a YA adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, and maybe some kids books as well.

A lot of the discussion centred around the themes of the latest trilogy set in the Shadowhunter world, and amongst those there will be an exploration of the theme of falling from grace. There will also be some page space given to the fact that Jace really needs to discover who he is after the revelations of the last book in the previous trilogy.

There were lots of people in the audience who went all out in dressing up for the appearance, something I would never, ever do, but I do admire those who have the bravado to do that kind of thing!

I did buy the two latest books with the intention of getting them signed, but the place in the queue where I stood looked like it was going to be more than an hours wait, so I had to decide between standing in the queue for more than an hour in my not so comfortable boots, or actually get home at a reasonable time. It is a sign of my advancing maturity that I chose to go home!

As usual, my photos from this event are very average!

On Thursday night, we attempted to have a Melbourne book blogger meet up. Bree and I had a great time chatting, but that's about all I will say about that.

Friday night after work I went to go and see Kristin Cashore. There was a short time where she was signing books at the State Library so I went and got both Graceling and Fire. Of course, once I was standing in front of her, I couldn't think of a single thing to say to her. She was very gracious in taking the time to talk to everyone in the queue and I managed to get a photo too. Of course, if I look like I might have just rushed from one end of the city to the other, it would be because I had! Never mind!

This weekend, I managed to hurt my back getting washing out of the washing machine today and have house guests arriving soon. A quiet weekend was what I needed after a very busy week, but I could do with being able to move at least a little bit!

8 comments:

  1. Sounds like a fun week. I so enjoy meeting authors I admire! I did go to BEA three years ago, when it was in LA, and met a few and got autographed books.

    I'm now going over to check out your links.

    Here's MY SUNDAY SALON POST

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  2. Oh, you met Kristin Cashore - how cool! FIRE was one of my favourite books when I read it back in 2009, I have my fingers crossed her next book will be released soon.

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  3. I didn't get a lot of opportunity to do Armchair BEA as school was so hectic last week. Maybe next year....

    Here's my Sunday Salon: Summer, Here I Come! I hope you will stop by!

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  4. Oh no, I hope your back heals quickly! Congrats on winning the book and being interviewed, I will have to go take a look :)

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  5. Svea, thanks. It's better today thank it was yesterday which is lucky seeing as there is no way I can take time off this week.

    Deb, it's a lot of fun if you do get a chance to participate but it can be a lot of work.

    Li, I can't wait for Bitterblue. I have no idea when it is meant to be out though!

    Laurel-Rain, I would love to go to BEA one day!

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  6. Svea, thanks. It's better today thank it was yesterday which is lucky seeing as there is no way I can take time off this week.

    Deb, it's a lot of fun if you do get a chance to participate but it can be a lot of work.

    Li, I can't wait for Bitterblue. I have no idea when it is meant to be out though!

    Laurel-Rain, I would love to go to BEA one day!

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  7. SHUT UP!!!! You saw Cassandra Clare AND Kristin Cashore? OMG I love you! And I hate you! I love them both! lol

    I am just slightly (only slightly) (okay, very) (VERY) jealous. Nobody ever comes here!!! lol

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  8. It does sound like you had a really full and fun week, and the fact that you got the chance to see Cassandra Clare and Kristin Cashore is really, really cool! So glad that you were able to have that experience, and I hope that you have a great week ahead this time around too!

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