Authors Unlimited

On Saturday I headed to St. Joseph's College in Long Island for Authors Unlimited: a day-long smorgasbord of authors, readers, writers, and...pasta salad? Oh, yes, my friends.
After napping in the car (I brought my own pillow), I arrived refreshed and ready to go, with the exception of the rather unbecoming coffee stain that resulted from my attempts to caffeinate in a moving vehicle. (My first words to my greeters? "I just spilled coffee on my butt." Perhaps not the most elegant greeting.)
My escorts for the day were two lovely teens from a neighboring high school, Alice and Melissa, who fired intelligent questions at me and spoke of their own creative aspirations. 

Throughout the day, they were there to joke with me, lead me through the maze of hallways and events, and of course, keep that caffeine flowing.
There was a limo ride and a marching band, and even fans waving pom-poms! It was the first, but hopefully not the last, time I have walked the red carpet.

I participated in a panel with awesome authors like Jenny Han, Adele Griffin, Lisa Greenwald, and George O'Connor; the other writers could have doubled for stand-up comics, so I had to bring my A-game.
Afterward, I did three individual sessions (and ate four plates of pasta salad in rapid succession--talking makes me hungry!). Many of the attendees were aspiring writers, and all of them were avid readers, and we had dynamic discussions about everything from discipline and work habits to the Hunger Games movie.
Lastly was a signing, and a chance to talk one-on-one with my fans.

All in all, an amazing day, especially since I got to go home with a bag full o' swag and some homemade cookies!
xoLauren