Wednesday night after work, Daniel and I ventured out through Chicago traffic to go to Anderson’s Bookstore in Downer’s Grove where Justine Larbalestier was going to be signing books. We were alerted to the fact that she would be there by the lovely Kristen, of Bookworming in the 21st Century.
I first heard of Justine when the controversy exploded over the original US cover to her new book, “Liar.” After reading about the premise of the book, I knew I had to read it. Plus, I wanted to support this book because I felt that Bloomsbury did the right thing by changing the cover. So a couple of weeks ago when my husband and I went on our date and stopped by a bookstore, I had him buy it for me. I meant to read it for the Readathon, but I just didn’t get to it; Tuesday, when I remembered that Justine was going to be in town the next night, I grabbed it and did my best to read it. I would have finished, too, if I hadn’t had to go to work Wednesday! I got pretty close though, within about 80 pages, because I was so enthralled with the whole thing I didn’t want to put it down (I finished later that night, so see my review soon!).
Anyway, it was a cozy little group of us there for the signing. Justine was fantastic – she didn’t even mind that Daniel kept trying to steal the spotlight! We got to learn some fun things about her process of writing “Liar,” too:
- Justine wrote “Liar” almost like a jigsaw puzzle, piece by piece, fitting them all together, then rewriting pieces to make them fit where she had put them. She said it was the most fun she’s ever had writing a book and the most polished first draft she has ever had. Of course, this made it a much more frustrating revision process she has experienced to date.
- Even Justine isn’t 100% clear on what, of what Micah is telling her reader, is true; she knows the basics are true (Zach’s death, Micah’s parents and school, where she lives), but not much beyond that. In fact, as people share their theories about the book with her she is changing her mind.
- She reads all her reviews, but doesn’t get offended when someone doesn’t like a book. For Justine, the point is to write a book that really speaks to someone, and once the book is published it belongs to the people who are reading it, not to her.
- Justine is an organic writer who does not plan ahead what she will be writing
We also discussed how covers are made, and the problems of the $10 hardcover book.
After signing my books, Justine was kind enough to pose for pictures.
Daniel and I with Justine and "Liar"
Daniel and I with Justine and Kristen
You may have noticed above that I said she signed my books, plural. I was enjoying “Liar” so much that while I was there, I bought a paperback copy of “How to Ditch Your Fairy” for myself as well. OH. I also bought a copy of “Liar” AND one of “How to Ditch Your Fairy” for you guys, as well! Signed, of course!
Here are the details:
This giveaway is totally international. One winner will get “Liar,” the other will get “How to Ditch Your Fairy.”
You can opt to be entered for either book, or both of them if you choose, I will draw the winner for “Liar” first.
To enter, all you have to do is fill out the Google Form below. Entries in the comments section of this post will NOT be counted. But please do still leave comments, I love to hear your thoughts!
This giveaway will end at 11:59 pm Central Time on Thursday, November 19th. Winners will be notified and will have until November 30th to send me their addresses (extra time due to Thanksgiving!), after which I will draw new winners if I have not heard from them.
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If for some reason the form does not load, you can view it in a website.
That’s so cool that you got to meet the author. I love your pictures!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..BTT: Autobiographies vs Biographies =-.
Hilarious that Daniel tried to steal the spotlight. Thanks for sharing details of her writing process!
.-= Jenn’s Bookshelves´s last blog ..Virginia is For..Book Lovers: Featuring Laura Brodie, Author of The Widow’s Season =-.
I really need to pay more attention to events in my area. I’m only an hour from Chicago, but I never have any idea what’s going on in the book world up there.
Great pictures!
.-= Trisha´s last blog ..Trisha on TV: An Ode to Shows I Miss =-.
I’m not good at paying attention either, Kristen told me!
I’m a big fan of Justine’s and now a fan of your blog. Glad I found it.
Thank you for holding this contest!
Thank you for the great contest!
So glad that you guys got to go and meet up together! And I think Justine is just a fabulous writer and moreso, a great person!
Thanks for sharing.
.-= Katie´s last blog ..review: “meridian” =-.
Sounds like you and Daniel had a great time!
.-= Nan´s last blog ..Skunked! =-.
Fab write up of the event. What fun! readings are great. So nice to hear and author speak in her (or his) own voice.
I would love to win “Liar”. Please enter my name in your draw. Thanks.
Just wanted to say that your little guy is very cute
And happy belated birthday!
I’m loving the forms for giveaways now. I didn’t know you and Kristen were so close in proximity to each other. So cool! I wish there were good author signings here!
What a super event and I’m so glad you got to meet up with Kristen and hear and meet Larbalestier. I love this idea of using Google docs for contest entries.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..What’s in a Name 2: Wrap Up =-.
Jen the pictures are so cute. Thanks for sharing the event with us.
Scott actually mentioned it too me when I was speaking with him about Justine being in Chicago that same night.
I went and bought How to ditch your fairy.
Great idea about using the form for your contest. I entered the contest. Thanks for hosting it.
Very fun! I read Justine’s blog and she seems like a very cool person.
I read the first half of HTDYF at a bookstore last week while I was travelling. I didn’t buy it at the time b/c I couldn’t justify carrying one more book with me on the flight back, but I am eager to finish it!
.-= Lorin´s last blog ..Review: Words @ Work =-.
Thank you so much for this giveaway! I didn’t know about the controversy at all! Ohh! And Daniel looks so adorable! Glad you like the books. I would like to enter for both of them…
givingreadingachance AT gmail.com
This is so generous of you!
.-= Vasilly´s last blog ..Mini-Readathon! =-.
International?? Yay you
Have filled in your form – a friend just read Liar and it sounds totally absorbing and right up my street. Crossing stuff. (Oh – and Daniel is sooooo cute – and BIG! So impressed you took him with you – mine would NEVER have sat through a book event at that age)
Liar has been on my to read list for a while. Sounds like an interesting book. I’m happy to hear how Justine wrote Liar like a jigsaw puzzle. That’s what I’ve been doing with my YA and I wondered if it was going to work. Now I know that it can!
Cool, I want both books.
.-= Cara Powers´s last blog ..Review: Memoirs of a Master Forger by William Heaney =-.
I enjoyed reading your interview w/ Justine.
Please sign me up for both books. thanks.
Nice pictures and great contest! Thanks for making it international, too.
I read one of Justine’s earlier books, sort of an urban fantasy, but this one sounds much more interesting. I can see why she was upset but having worked in publishing, I know how hard it is to spend money twice (i.e., changing the cover and replacing the old one late in the game) so I sympathize to some extent with Bloomsbury’s dilemma, although it could and should obvously have been avoided.
I’m sure she was upset initially, but she is actually very understanding of it now. Of course she’s glad the cover is more representative, but she really took time to walk us through how cover art is chosen and express her gratitude to Bloomsbury for taking the time and money to change it.
Great giveaway. Thank you for keeping it international.
I met Justine in October but didn’t have enough money to buy her books, so I couldn’t have her sign anything, so this contest is perfect!
Books look interesting!
I leave in the Chicago area and I didn’t find out Justine was coming until after the event. I was sooooo bummed
Anyway, thanks for this great giveaway! I really want to read HTDYF. I LOVED Liar and (that’s no lie. heehee cheesy!)