Laurell K. Hamilton signing (otherwise known as "a pinnacle moment for me"

I give you fair warning. I'm very tired right now and my arms are aching from holding a bunch of books tonight, so there will likely be a larger than average number of typos in here and I may stop making sense at some point...I'm not sure any of us would notice the difference *grin*

Okay, so, wow! Tonight was unbelievable. Let me start by once again thanking my usual culprit, Stacy G., for coming along for the ride. This girl can talk to anyone about anything and she's a one woman promoting machine! : ) But more on that later...

We get to the BN in Skokie about 5:00 and buy two copies of LKH's latest book, Incubus Dreams. We check in with customer service about where to get our line numbers and where we should wait. The nice gentlemen behind the counter appears slightly bewildered that we would show up more than two hours in advance, but evidently he is not familiar with the dedication of LKH fans. I knew people would be out in droves. He tells us they wouldn't be handing out numbers until 6:00. So, Stacy G. and I head next door to Johnny Rockets, this fake retro diner, for dinner. We come back at a few minutes before six and find that a line for the line numbers had already formed. We get in line and begin the wait to get our numbers. The interesting thing about waiting in line for something like this is that you know you've already got at least one thing in common with just about everyone around you. So, we chat a little bit with the women in front of us (Hi Kristin, if you're reading this!) It's always fascinating to see the different people who are drawn to LKH's work. Men, women, young and old, goth and soccer mom. Everyone turns out for her events.

Finally, we get our numbers (12 and 13) and we are then free to roam about the store until 7:00 when Laurell is to arrive and we are to get in line again. Stacy G. and I head downstairs to where the signing would actually take place and browse around for a bit, pausing by the Halloween book table. There, a woman strikes up a conversation with us about one of the books and as we're talking, Stacy G. finds out that this woman is a reviewer for one of the major sci-fi sites and Midwest Book Review (Hi Alisa, if you're reading this!). She is going to be reviewing LKH's book. Stacy tells her about my book, which she graciously agrees to read. I run out to the car for my very last copy in the car (nearly didn't bring an extra, boy am I glad I did). Yea!!!!

Then it is time to get in line for the books to be signed. Stacy and I head over in the general direction and spend a while standing on the stairs, chatting with those around us, complaining about the heat and the general condition of our feet : ) Remember, by this point, we've been standing, in heels, for a long time, holding books of more than 1,000 pages in length. I also took the opportunity to hand out more of my bookmarks to those standing near me.

Finally, Laurell and her husband, Jon, are spotted coming through the store. It always surprises me how tiny she is. Very petite, shorter than I am, with a mass of curly dark hair, which only makes her seem even smaller. They smile at the crowd, which by now, stretches all the way up the stairs and around the balcony area. At least two hundred people, maybe more, I'd guess, were there. A BN staff woman gets on the mic and tells us that we can shift around a little bit because Laurell's going to take some questions.

This is my favorite part. LKH is an entertainer. She may not think of herself that way, but I love to hear her speak -- she cracks me up! And you don't have to even read her books to enjoy her speaking or what she says. She has great comic timing, knows exactly when to pause to get this huge laugh from the crowd. Never seems to get exasperated by strange quesitons or ones that she's surely heard over and over again. She and her husband are such a perfect team, with him chiming in on answers with her. It's so sweet : ) If you ever have the chance to go somewhere and hear her speak, do it. Even if you've never read her books. It's a fun hour, well spent. I'm not going to go into what was asked and how she answered because there's no way I'll do it justice. : )

So, once the question session is over, everyone gets back in line, according to number. Stacy G. and I wait our turn patiently. By now, I'm really nervous. Palm-sweating and babbling nervous. But Stacy G. understands and doesn't make fun of me for it : ) Finally, we reach the front of the line. Jon takes our books and says, "It's nice to see you again" to me. It amazes me that he remembers me, after all the people they see. But I think that's such a testament to the effort they make to treat every fan, every reader as a person. That or I made such a bad impression the first time - shaking and nervous! This time, I'm much calmer...well, a little calmer : ) Jon, Stacy G. and I make small talk about blogging and politics for a few minutes while Laurell finishes up the book of the person in front of us.

Then she's ready for us. Here it is, the moment of truth. I wait until she's gotten the books in front of her to sign and then I hand her mine. At first, I think she is confused, not sure what I am doing. And then I tell her, that it's my book. That I want her to have a copy for being such an inspiration to me, for saying "when" instead of "if".

Laurell and Jon are both genuinely excited for me -- it is so awesome! I even get a hug from Jon : ) Laurell stops signing for a moment to read what I wrote in my book for her. Stacy G. said that she seemed really touched by it. I hope so. I hope she realizes how much what she does affects other people in a good way. Sometimes we all go through periods in our lives where we doubt ourselves. I don't know if she's ever felt that way, but if so, I wanted to make sure she understood the wonderful impact that she has made with me.

Stacy G. took a picture of me with Laurell and Jon. And then it was time to move on. But as a closing I thought it might be cool to show you guys what she wrote to me as an inscription on her book to me...

"To Stacey, so proud of you! Congrats! Keep on with your dreams, lots and lots of books. Laurell K. Hamilton 9/30/04"

She said she's proud of me. How cool is that?!? I'm actually getting a little teary over it. I'm such a mush!

And thank you to all of you (especially Stacy) for pushing me to give her my book. I'm really glad I did.

Talk to you tomorrow!