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Last Friday (the day my internet cut out for THREE DAYS – I don’t even know how I survived), I attended my first author event since I started blogging!

Living in Australia is great, but I must say that our author and bookish events are severely lacking. In my city area, we have one author event per year, and a whole bunch of Australian YA authors attend (which is awesome), but that’s it. It’s a rare occasion when an author from the US or UK comes to Australia – and those that have, I have missed. But onwards!

It’s awesome that I do have this event because it means that I can meet some authors, get books signed, and have all ’round bookish fun.

This year would have had to be the best year ever, though. Juliet Marillier aka the author of my FAVOURITE BOOK (Wildwood Dancing) attended. I got to listen to her talk for 45 minutes, she signed NINE books for me, and I even got a photo with her!

I still cannot believe this happened!

Other authors that were there included Claire Zorn, Jessica Shirvington, and Tara Eglington. I spoke to each and every one of these authors, and got so many signed books.

Claire’s speech was fantastic and interactive, and her outfit, hair, and glasses were all adorable. She even complimented MY hair, which is always nice ^.^ We chatted about the end of her book, and she wrote this special message in Sky So Heavy:

Jessica Shirvington was incredibly sweet. She said that my name is one of her favourites, and even wrote it in one of my books (her books?). She signed so many books for me, and I was incredibly grateful. I also got my review copy of Disruption signed in a gold pen which matches the gold cover perfectly. This made me extremely happy.

I got to speak to Tara Eglington for ages. And she was so adorable! We chatted about writing books as young women (she wrote How to Keep a Boy from Kissing You when she was 21), and how you can’t let anyone let you believe you’re not good enough to be published. Look at this incredibly sweet message she wrote in my book:

And a kind of amazing thing happened. When I was talking to Tara, a young woman goes “are you a book blogger?” And I was all: yeeeeesssss. “Eternal Delicacy?” Yeeeeeeessssss. “I’m Amanda from Harper Collins.” *cue me being excited and telling the story of opening Disruption the day before* BUT I WAS RECOGNISED BY A PUBLICIST. I FEEL SO FAMOUS.

All in all, the Somerset Literature Festival was amazing. I cannot wait to see which authors are attending next year!

So, if you’re an Australian resident, I have an exciting giveaway for you. :D I have a spare copy of Embrace by Jessica Shirvington which I got signed (be warned, there is a unicorn sticker on the front because the price tag did that weird thing where it’s gross and sticky), an Aurora Skye bookmark, and a Disruption postcard to giveaway *cue excited arm flapping* Just enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Posted on: March 26, 2014 • By: Chiara

41 Responses to Books for Life: My First Author Event! (Since Blogging, Anyway)

  1. Lindsey says:

    How exciting Chiara, I can only imagine the feeling of standing in the brilliance of masters of words. I haven’t been to an author event yet (luck and time have never been on my side) so all I can do is dream. Thanks for sharing (and I’m sure that unicorn sticker just upped the value of the book)! :)

    P.S.– Your new design is lovely, I love the balloons! :)

    • Chiara says:

      It was absolutely amazing! I thought I’d be all tongue tied but they were all so lovely, I didn’t feel nervous at all. :D I hope that luck and time are on your side soon, Lindsey. Author events are quite amazing.
      Haha, I hope the unicorn sticker entices people.

      YAY! I’m glad you do. I just haven’t been happy with it since I made the domain switch but then I found these balloons yesterday and I am FINALLY happy with how everything looks! :D

  2. I’m so glad you had fun! I love the Somerset Celebration of Lit – it’s my old high school and I’ve been to a lot of them. That’s a great bunch of authors you got to meet, Chiara! :D

    I met Jessica Shirvington this week too and she was so lovely!

    • Chiara says:

      I did! Oh, wow. You went to such an amazing school, Kate. I kind of walk around looking at everything in awe. I went to the festivals when I was in high school, too, so it was great to go back after all these years and it still be so awesome. :D
      I know! It’s so amazing when the authors are lovely people. ^.^

  3. Shannelle C. says:

    This sounds great! But I think the best part was when the publicist recognized you? OMG Chiara why you not record it? If I had been there with you, I would have fangirled with you. It’s such a dream moment when someone in the book publishing scene recognizes you! Kyaaaa.

    And would you forgive me if I say I don’t know any of these authors? *blushes* But I’m pretty sure they’re really good authors! Mwah mwah.

    • Chiara says:

      I KNOW. I just sot of stood there, very stunned. You can fangirl with me now! XD I was seriously blown away, and I couldn’t stop thinking: I was recognised by a publicist. I WAS RECOGNISED. I felt very special, haha. :D
      Of course I forgive you! Sometimes Aussie authors don’t receive all the attention they deserve. I highly suggest all of them! They’re fantatsic. :)

  4. YOU GOT TO MEET JULIET MARILLIER DO YOU KNOW HOW JEALOUS I AM SHFKLHSDKJSHD

    I didn’t even know this event was on/existed. I am so trying to go next time

    (P.S. We still really need to try and organise that SEQLD blogger meet up thingy ;) )

    • I’m with Bec, I had no idea this event existed either! It’s about an hour away but worth it if JESSICA SHIRVINGTON was there omg! how amazing being recognised by a publicist too, that is amazing. And yes we should make that meet up happen! :)

      • Chiara says:

        That’s so weird! I guess the advertisement is mainly on the Gold Coast? At least you now of it now! I’ll make sure to remember my Brisbane buddies!
        At least you have the chance to win a signed book, at least? :D
        I am so keen for that meet-up!

    • Chiara says:

      I KNOW, BEC. I CANNOT EVEN COMPREHEND IT.
      Whattttt. I thought you would have known. :O I shall remind you this time next year!
      YES YES. I am so keen, it’s not even funny, haha. :D
      OH. And there’s a chance that Juliet might be going to Brisbane Supanova in November!

      • I probably wouldn’t have been able to go anyway because of uni :(

        BUT YAY YAY YAY. I’m definitely going to Brisnova so I really hope she attends. I think she might be going to the Gold Coast one too, but I can’t make that….

  5. Yay for stumbling upon another awesome Aussie blog! *waves* I’m Emily :)

    I’ve never been to an author event. Hopefully I’ll be able to in the near future, because this looks like so much fun! So jealous you got to talk to Tara Eglington. She seems so lovely just from Twitter.

    • Chiara says:

      Hello, Emily! I’m Chiara :D It is always great to meet another Aussie book blogger! There doesn’t seem to be too many of us around.
      It was a lot of fun! It’s a bit different to the usual author event, but I like that. :)
      Tara was so incredibly nice, I think the nicest of them all. And she was so so encouraging of my writing!

  6. Ahhh how exciting! Somerset sounds like such a wonderful festival! I actually went to the book launch for Disruption today and met Jessica Shirvington + got her books signed! Woohoo! She was so sweet and recognised me *starry eyes*

    So glad to stumble upon more Aussie bloggers! Aussies bloggers unite!! :P

    • Chiara says:

      It was so exciting! :D I like that it has a festival feel, and that there’s the opportunity to meet a whole heap of authors – it’s great.
      Yay for Jess Shirvington! I think she’s incredibly lovely. :D
      Hello, fellow Australian ^.^

  7. (Scar, I thought you hair was red. You betrayed me. You’re like Cinder.

    Kai out.)

    Ha ha anyway, it is SO amazing that you got to meet your favorite author, Juliet Marillier and got to take an amazing photo with her. I know you’ve rec-ed me Wildwood Dancing and I promise you that I’ll read it one day. I will.

    It makes me so happy that you liked Disruption because I’m looking forward to reading it.

    Everything sounds so awesome and I’m glad you enjoyed your first author event.

    P.S. I also looove your name. Scarlet, who? ;)

    • Chiara says:

      I never said I had red hair! :P And you know I would never betray you.
      I still cannot quite believe it. And then she posted the photo on her Facebook page, as well. There has been many a fangirling moment where I am. I’d always wanted to meet her, and getting to chat with her and take a photo with her was like the cherry on top :D I desperately want you to read that novel, Kai! It’s my FAVOURITE.
      Ohmygosh yes Disruption is fantastic. I think you will like it. :D
      YOU LOVE MY NAME? *swoons*

  8. Annie says:

    That’s so cool that since you only have the one event each year it was a really good event!

    I’ve never been to a book event like that but it sounds so amazing to get to meet different authors and hear them speak and then to get to talk to them. What a great experience.

    And the cool thing about living in Australia though – is that Melina Marchetta could attend your single book event in any given year. That would just be so, so awesome. My sister and I are acutely aware that living in the US we may never get the chance.

    • Chiara says:

      I am very lucky that it’s such a great event!
      I definitely like the fact that there are speeches, and more than one author. I think it’s such an awesome opportunity. And really cheap, might I add, haha.
      Yes! Unfortunately her year at the festival was one of the only ones I ever missed. :( I know how you feel, though. There are some of my favourite authors that I don’t think I’ll ever get the chance to meet.
      If Marchetta does attend in the next few years, I’ll be sure to get you a signed book, Annie!

  9. Annie says:

    That’s so cool and exciting! And how awesome that a publicist recognized you as a book blogger! I’m so happy you had a good time and I know I’m probably very late on this but your design looks great!!!

    • Chiara says:

      I KNOW! :D
      The whole day was absolutely amazing, and I will remember it for ages.
      Thank you! I’m so glad you like it. it took a few turns but I am finally happy with how it looks. ^.^

  10. Jen says:

    When I become published, I’ll make sure to have Australia on my list of places to go for book signings. :D

    It’s always a thrilling moment to meet the mastermind behind your favorite books. I’ve met Melissa de la Cruz twice now and I even hugged her the last time! *squeals*

    • Chiara says:

      Yes, please! We are often neglected because we’re so far away from everyone D:
      It’s such an amazing experience. It’s like you’ve known them forever because you’ve read their books but meeting them is just – WOW.
      A hug! That’s amazing. :D

      • Jen says:

        Ack! You replied and I didn’t get a notification! *flails*

        I know. When you stick to a series from beginning to end, you just know distinctive details about their writing. I’ve read so many of Melissa’s books that it’s familiar to see multiple heroines. I think her latest series has four points of view. I’ve even started modeling my own writing after hers, though not with quite as many.

        • Chiara says:

          Nooo. WordPress – what are you doing? D:
          I think it’s amazing when you get to really know an author’s writing style. And wow, four heroines! I didn’t even think that existed, haha. But it deifintely wants me to try it out.

          • Jen says:

            I think it’s because you no longer have the “.wordpress” part of the URL.

            It’s a lot of fun! And it brings more suspense, especially when you do it right (like ending scenes and chapters in cliffhangers). (Well, I guess there’s no right or wrong, but cliffhangers work really well within a book, not just an ending.) At least, that’s what I’ve learned from it.

  11. Jessica Shirvington is one of my favorite authors…absolutely loved the Embrace series (and ordered the last book from Fishpond since I just couldn’t wait until it was released in the US). And I just read Disruption yesterday and loved it!!! She is just a genius, so exciting you got to meet her. I’m jealous, I must admit.

    • Chiara says:

      She’s amazing! I absolutely love her style. I saw that the last book doesn’t come out for ages in the US. Lucky you were able to find an Aussie retailer. :D
      I absolutely loved Disruption, as well! It was fantastic. :D
      If I was a little wealthier, I would open the giveaway internationally, but unfortunately shipping overseas from Australia is really expensive. D:

  12. AHHHH THAT’S SO EXCITING!!! I’m so glad you finally got a fantastic event in your area :D

  13. YOU MET JULIET MARILLIER. OH. MY. GOD.

    I must say. I’m jealous. Yup. That is so awesome and I’m happy that you had such a great time :D Cool that you were recognized!

    • Chiara says:

      I KNOW. IT WAS SO INCREDIBLE.
      I would be incredibly jealous if I hadn’t gotten to meet her, so don’t worry, haha. It was a great time, and I still can’t get over the fact I was recognised!

  14. Unfortunately I’ve never been to an author event, but I hope to be able to go to the Disruption event in Melbourne during April. :)

  15. This is so awesome. You’re so lucky. I’m so glad you had a great time. And all those wonderful inscriptions! :D

    • Chiara says:

      I know! I feel pretty lucky about it all, really. :) And yes, I think the inscriptions are great! I was worried they wouldn’t have time for anything but their name!

  16. Eugenia says:

    Since I’ve started blogging I’ve been to the launch of ‘The Intern’ by Gabrielle Tozer and the ‘Disruption’ launch – both of which I had a great time at! It’s amazing to meet the authors of books that you really loved!

  17. Congrats on going to your first author event! :) I haven’t gone to one ever, also because author events are so rare here. But they look so fun! :D Lovely photos!

  18. Kate says:

    Thank you for this wonderful giveaway and congrats on going to an author event! I’ve only been to one myself, and it was for a cookbook. I hope you had a wonderful time!

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