i had the great honor of meeting william maxwell at a private function and getting a chance to sit with him and gush for a minute. he was lovely...just lovely. and i got to see lauren bacall in an elevator once. she said the weather was awfully hot. i agreed it was. and then i couldn't think of anything intelligent to say so i just shut up!
I just read your account of the book signing - it sounds amazing! Jodi Picoult is one of my very favorite authors, too. I've always been excited just because I know someone that she knows (1 degree of separation?). She and I both write for Family Fun magazine (at least she used to, before she became such a huge success with her novels), and I admit I have acted like a crazed fan and asked my editor what she's like!
Last year, we took our sons to a book signing when Brian Jacques was in town. My older son is a HUGE fan of his Redwall series, so this was very exciting for him. Brian was awesome with the huge crowd of kids - very funny and entertaining - and also very gracious when we went up to get books signed and take a picture.
And last year, I met Tom Coyne (author of Paper Tiger and other books about golf) when he led a writer's workshop I attended. He was a great guy with lots of good advice, and my husband loves his books.
So, those are my few brushes with authors - thanks for sharing your experiences meeting Jodi Picoult!
Did you ask her why she ruined Handle With Care? *grin*
Working in a bookstore that is located right by the airport in a metropolitan area pretty much guarantees that I get to meet some famous authors.
Steve Berry is probably one of the most famous ones (he is SUPER tall with a southern accent!). Joe Michelli (business motivation author) Kimberly Lawson Roby (or maybe it is Kimberly Roby Lawson) Hampton Sides.
I know there are more, but I can't remember right now.
Ha! Haven't finished Handle With Care yet - don't say another word! :)
I've also met Peter Matthieson and Jennifer Lancaster - both were also very cool to meet. :) Jenn Lancaster is hysterical, and I kiiiiind of wanted to marry Peter Matthieson, even though he was my grandfather's age..
My sister recommended My Sister's Keeper to me last summer- I'm so glad she did. David M Schwartz came to my elementary school when I was seven- he wrote a book called If You Made A Million