I know this is usually a space where I write (hopefully) insightful essays about the human condition that (hopefully) resonate with my readers, but it’s also historically been a bit of a public diary where I try to record the moments in my life I’d very much like to remember and be able to look back on. So please enjoy (or ignore!) this recap of my Very First Professional Appearance As An Author at the ABA Winter Institute in Cincinnati! From what I gather, bookseller conferences like these are a lot like the residencies I attended for grad school: several days of intensive learning, thinking, and community, with way more partying than one ever does in real life. Respect, booksellers! Those residencies were a lot of work (even if they were also a lot of fun).
First off, can I just gush about the hotel I stayed at? The Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza is a gorgeous, historic, art deco building with beautiful details everywhere you look, many of which I believe are original to the building (or else recreated in great detail). As a Buffalo gal who swoons over the same architecture and details in our city’s many historic buildings, I felt both right at home and swathed in unaccustomed luxury. Just walking through the lobby was a treat! In fact, I meant to take a moment to take pictures, but my time there was such a whirlwind I didn’t get much of a chance. Enjoy this collage of shots of questionable quality.
Second and most important: did y’all know that booksellers are some of the nicest, coolest, most interesting and authentic people you could ever meet? And I’m not just saying that to suck up! I was very nervous for Zando’s bookseller dinner at Pepp & Dolores because I am an awkward cryptid at heart, but every single person I met that night was absolutely lovely and made me feel very welcomed. Shout out to Devon Overley of Loganberry Books and Stephanie Skees of The Novel Neighbor Bookstore, for being the very first booksellers I spoke to and making me feel extremely welcome and much less nervous about being perceived. Also my (first) table-mates, Suzanna Herman & Nicole Brinkley of Oblong Books, Melissa Lavendier of An Unlikely Story, Tegan Tigani of Queen Anne Book Company, and Jessica Wright of Copper Dog Books. Friends at my second table, I’m so sorry, I am not certain I remember your names correctly (it was a lot of new faces and names in one night, and sneaky servers refilling our wine glasses without us having to ask!). But I am so glad my “can I talk politics?” moment didn’t cause a row, and maybe brought us all a little bit closer together as humans? Anyway, new friends, I hope I get to see you all again soon!
(Somehow the only picture I took of the event was of my place setting…smh)
I also got to meet and hang out with fellow Zando authors Elaine U. Cho (Ocean’s Godori) and Sarah Gerard (Carrie Carolyn Coco)(who is also a private investigator!!!!), who write such beautiful words it reaffirms for me (not that I need reaffirmation) that I made an excellent choice publishing with Zando. Also, fellow 2024 debut Ana Ellickson (The Vanishing Station), and I hung out and talked about our publishing journeys while savoring every minute we could of our “first real author event.” We watched out friends Elaine Cho and Megan Lally (That’s Not My Name) discuss their books for the Indies Introduce lunch, tried and failed to not gobble up ARCs that barely fit into our carry-on luggage, and met many more lovely booksellers!
That night was the Author Reception, which was not my first time signing books for people (that honor goes to a now defunct local comic book store where my self published books were featured), but it was my first time signing as a Traditional Publishing Author, and for a gigantic room full of booksellers! I had to reload the table with ARCs several times (!) before the event was over. And also, the best part? Besides getting to meet more lovely, lovely booksellers? I WAS SEATED RIGHT NEXT TO YA LEGEND LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON. And I did manage, at the end of the event, to introduce myself and tell her how much I admire her work (and that I used Speak as a mentor text in my critical thesis in grad school/for my graduating lecture). I also got to sign a copy of WILDERNESS for her! Cue fainting.
To end the evening, the Zando authors and publicity team all went out to dinner at Metropole where we demolished (nearly) all the apps and bonded over pet pictures. Plus, there may have been a scotch at the (gorgeous) hotel bar with my signing table buddy, Sarah Gerard, P.I.
All in all it was a whirlwind, despite how many times I tried to sit still and soak it all in. Cincinnati is a delightful city, too. It reminds me a lot of Buffalo architecturally, but also vibes-wise. It’s got hidden gems around every corner, and I wish I’d had more time to explore.
Now, go to your local indie bookstore and thank a bookseller for all their hard work! And be sure to get your copy of The Wilderness of Girls from your local indie, or if you don’t have a local bookstore then the nearest B&N, or online from Bookshop.org.
Four feral girls believe they are princesses from another world. The world believes they are brainwashed kidnapping victims.
What is the truth?
You decide.
Pre-order The Wilderness of Girls
