BookCon 2019 Happened

So… I went to BookCon. This was my second time going. My first time was back in 2017 and let’s just say I was not ready for it two years ago.

This time, I WAS READY.

It was crowded, which I expected from reading about others’ experiences from previous years and from my own experience in 2017. We didn’t arrive crazy early, getting on line at about 8:45 AM (when the doors open 10 AM), but there was already a pretty hefty line ahead of us. And of course when the gates finally opened, there was a mad dash.

I only had two tentative goals going into BookCon and if I didn’t get either of them I wasn’t going to be crushed. I was really looking forward to the experience, being around all my fellow book lovers and basically just breathing the same air as some of my all time favorite authors/heroes. I did not get a ticket to see Erin Morgenstern and get an ARC of The Starless Sea but I DID get a ticket to see Joan He and get her autograph for Descendant of the Crane!!!!!!!!! I was very lucky. I’m still reeling from the experience hours later and probably still will be reeling for the rest of the week (or maybe my life). ❤ ❤

She was so sweet and just gave off all the good person vibes. When I went up to see her she said “Sorry, I’m so flustered!” and me being the hot mess that I am was wildly fluttering my hands and saying “No, I’m the one that’s flustered!” I told her that I’m an aspiring author and also got to take a picture with her. Also side note, she has the most beautiful signature ever!!!!

I attended Cassandra Clare’s panel too with David Canfield as the moderator. That was another amazing experience. My favorite trilogy of all time is The Infernal Devices. I must have read that series six times, and that is A LOT for me. Usually, I don’t read a book more than once unless its one of my favorites. A reader asked her which of her characters she relates to the most and her answer was Simon and Tessa. What I took away from her panel especially was her advice to aspiring authors. There were two very specific things. 1) Read everything. 2) Write every day. Even if it’s only a sentence.

There was a lot of interesting booths at BookCon. Books everywhere so therefore I was in HEAVEN. I scored a lot of swag. Bookmarks, pins, stickers and I even got an envelope from one of the Scythes! I also bought myself a GoT Arya tee because I couldn’t resist. Not today. 🙂 My friend was even lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and got the last ticket for Crush by Svetlana Chmakova at the Yen Press booth.

Wandering around there were plenty of authors to see even if I couldn’t meet them. I saw Erin Morgenstern signing ARCs of The Starless Sea, Renée Ahdieh taking pics with fans, Stephanie Garber eating breakfast and Victoria Aveyard’s back. So, winning.

But believe it or not my most favorite part was right before we were about to leave. I knew there was going to be a meet up with Susan Dennard at one of the Starbucks but was a little pressed for time because I had to catch a bus. At first I didn’t see her because like I said earlier it was HELLA CROWDED but I didn’t give up and spotted her!!! There were only a few people left on the line to get their books signed so I got to see her real quick before I had to go!!!! GAHHH IT WAS AMAAAAAAZING!!! I said “Sorry, I have to run and catch a bus!” and she was so kind and said “Sorry you had to wait!” Then I said “No, I’m just so glad I got to see you!!!!!” I also thanked her for writing her newsletter. It has been one of the most helpful insights for me on this journey of mine to be a writer. I said, “Thank you for being so open and so honest.”

To which she replied, “Are you a writer?” And I nodded. Then, she added “Writing is hard.” I agreed. But then she said something I’ll never forget, “Write on.” She even wrote it near her signature in my copy of Truthwitch which I was able to bring with me. MY EMOTIONS WERE PEAKED!! I WAS SO HAPPY!!

BUT THEN IT GOT BETTER.

I’m not sure if I asked for one or she offered but I got to hug her! And then she asked if I wanted a pic and I was like “I get two hugs??!!” like a happy little girl lol. My inner child was out. So I got to hug her again for the second time before the pic was taken and then a third when the picture was actually taken!!!! It was funny and one of the best experiences ever. She is so great and sweet and all the feels. Good person vibes all over the place!!

So needless to say this year’s BookCon rocked!!!!! I WAS SO READY.

Now, to go back to business and write on.

P.S. Have any of you ever been to BookCon or any other convention or author signing? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!