Cat Patrick August 23, 2011

Wow, it’s been a bit since I last posted. I’ve been busy writing – I’m 45,000 words into my latest WIPs, and enjoying every session.

However, I had planned on talking about all six authors I met in Seattle, so here’s my next lovely guest: Cat Patrick.

Debut YA Author, Cat Patrick

Cat’s debut novel, Forgotten, came out earlier this summer and sounds really interesting. What I found most engaging about her participation in the panel was her debut perspective. So many aspiring authors think eack milestone is “the one.” “If I could only sign with an agent…” “If only an editor would pick up my manuscript…”

Cat did a great job of talking about how having your first book published isn’t the final step – and it certainly doesn’t solve all your problems or make your worries melt away.

I will say, having an agent is a huge milestone though. I would never downplay that part of my journey. However, I went into the query-trenches knowing it was only one more step on the road. I love the new stresses/worries/challenges I’m facing now – and they’re more exciting simply because I was expecting them.

If you think getting a book published is “the end,” I recommend talking with a few debut (or even multi-published) authors to hear their thoughts on the matter. It’ll be highly informative.

C.

Book Signing in Washington State August 2, 2011

I had the extreme pleasure of attending a fabulous book signing at Third Place Books in Bothell, just outside Seattle on Sunday. I could have driven down and back all in one day, but my husband and I decided to make the weekend our birthday gifts to each other.

YA Authors Take Over Third Place Books

What? You’re wondering how I came to be so fortunate as to have found a husband who loves YA novels and salivates at the prospect of meeting six of them in one room?

Ha ha ha.

No. The book signing was his gift to me. He hid in the history section of the book store during the whole ‘sordid affair.’ My gift to him was tickets to a Mariner’s Game (and, yes, he was aware they’re not having the best season) for the Friday night.

We did some lovely touristy things on the Saturday, then booted it home after the book signing – coming across the border with just under $500 in purchases (over half of which were books). (Don’t get me started on the dangers of finding book stores adjacent to restaurants where we stopped for lunch…)

Anyway, we ended our getaway with the book signing at Third Place Books. I’m going to spend the next few blog posts talking about the authors who attended, but for those of you who are interested, the authors in the picture are (from L to R): Eileen Cook, Mandy Hubbard, Lisa Schroeder, Cat Patrick, Suzanne Young, and Kimberly Derting.

I’m glad to be home, but a little afraid of my To Be Read pile now…

C.