Monday, June 2, 2008

Book Expo America Day 4

Well, I'm a little late reporting, but the Dude was too tired last night to think about blogging.

You'll all be greatly relieved to know that I'm no longer buggin' to up-chuck. But that little spot behind the tree in that posh Beverly Hills neighborhood will always be special to me. And to Chris and Brandon.

Yesterday, the last day of BEA, was a great finale. I spent the morning signing the rest of my books and wandering the booths. And then came the awesome luncheon with Dean Koontz and Michael Connelly.

We sat at a table just 15 feet from these two mega authors as they answered questions from a USA Today reviewer and then from the audience. You'll be proud to know that I was the first one chosen to ask a question, and it was so brilliant I can't remember what it was.

I really like Dean Koontz. He's had such an influence on my writing, and I've read almost all of his books. It was very surreal, and when it was over, I sprinted toward him so we could shake hands and I could tell him how thankful I am he chose to be an author. I also shook Mr. Connelly's hand and got both of my free books signed. It was awesome.

I promised Mr. Koontz I'd send him a copy of my book as a thank you. Please don't let me forget.

The afternoon was spent chillin' with all the great Shadow Mountain people, shipping home our bazillion free books, and readying to head home. I was very excited to see my family, but also a little sad that my first BEA was now over. New York next year, baby!!!!!

To top everything off, I met Mike Tyson in the airport and shook his hand, too. There you have it, full circle. And no, I'm not joking, I have witnesses. I told him I've been a fan of his my whole life, which couldn't be further from the truth. But I didn't want an uppercut to the chin.

Now, after all that, after all those cool authors and all those cool times, the ultimate highlights of my trip occurred last evening. The first was an idea for a book shared by Chris on the plane. It exploded in my head and affected me more than an idea has in a long, long time. I'm already busting to write it and have the whole thing forming in my skull. Thank you Chris! It's going to be called PHOBIA and you can look for it in bookstores within the next 2-10 years.

And the second, of course, was finally getting home to my wife. I've done a lot of travelling lately, and I think this one was particularly hard because I was having so much fun while she labored at home with the kids. It was a very sweet reunion and I'm glad to say that after my trip to Georgia later this week, I'll be home the rest of the summer.

And Chris has already declared that next year we're all taking our spouses to NY.

The countdown to BEA 2009 has officially begun!

To Chris and Gail and Angie and Lee and John and Boyd and Shauna and all the other wonderful people at Shadow Mountain who were there, I say thank you for letting me be part of this and for showing so much faith in me as a writer. I hope I don't disappoint.

17 comments:

Tamra Norton said...

Awwww--so glad you made it back home to that sweet Mrs. Dashner. And so glad the BEA experience was all you hoped for and more.

Oh, and I'm inrigued my this new book idea...

Anonymous said...

Reminder: Send some guy named Koontz a book.

Welcome home. Enjoy the time, because it looks like you're well on your way to becoming one of those wordsmithing gypsies who travel the world on waves of your fans' adulation. (See Gaiman, Neil.)

Man, I hope to be there with you next year in NY.

Unknown said...

Congratulations with all your success. Trent and I check your blog every so often -- we both laughed, maybe we will run it to you at next year's BEA -- in NY as us and our 4 kiddos are moving to NYC in 6 weeks. We'll be living on the upper west side (hopefully if everything goes as planned) pretty close to your agents office! So we'll be spying the streets for a cameo in a year!

Unknown said...

That sounds like a wonderful ending to your book expo! I'm also glad your no longer sick.

Thats way cool that you meet Dean Koontz, he is a really amazing author as well. good luck next year!

A Paperback Writer said...

So now you either need to stay with the kids and let your wife go off for a few days to do whatever she likes, or else you need to hire a college girl to babysit and take your wife off on a romantic long weekend.

LaFemmeSimple said...

Too bad all of y'all can't make it out here this week..boo hissss....

Color me green that you got to meet Dean Koontz...seriously..you're schmoozing with all my faves, can't wait to hear more about it Wednesday...uh..and uh, you need to email me your flight details...

Don said...

Thanks for dragging us along vicariously. It was a great trip.

tapestry100 said...

Sounds like you've had a great couple of days at BEA! Colour me a little shade of jealous with all the fabulous folks you met over there.

And new a new book idea? Hmm.... Inquiring minds what to know!

Unknown said...

It sounds so awesome!! I guess even the Mike Tyson part... I'm aiming to join you next year. I'm so happy for you.

James Dashner said...

I wish you all could've been there. It was awesome.

Wow, Trent and Jamie! Thanks for stopping by, and I will definitely see you in NY! I hope this means Trent is now a big wig for some big company.

You guys will have to wait on the new big idea. But it's really good. :-)

Tristi Pinkston said...

I'm sorry about the whole vomit thing, but what an awesome week you had! I couldn't be happier for you, Dashner -- you Da Man.

Danyelle Ferguson said...

James - I just finished reading all your BEA posts. It sounds like you are having an awesome time schmoozing with the big guys. Congrats!

Heather Moore said...

It was great to hook up with so many writers there!

Rachelle Christensen said...

Thanks for sharing all of your amazing experiences with us lowly fans! Loved your comment about Mike Tyson. I probably would've run the other way.

Melinda said...

Personally, if I met Mike Tyson, I'd be afraid he would bite my ear. (What is up with that anyway?)

James, congrats on your successes and stepping closer to the acme of your career. I'm sure there are many more good times to come. I can't believe all the people you met and shmoozed with, but then you are the King of Shmooze. (not queen-I got that loud and clear.)

J.N. Future Author said...

so....did you send him a copy yet? ^.^

Poker Coach said...

What charming phrase