Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

I got to go—woo! And Sara was there, although De sadly couldn’t make it.

How did this get so long? I’ll use a cut tag for those reading this on LJ, so I don’t swallow up half their friends page.

It was the first YA signing I’d attended, although maybe not a typical one since it featured two authors. I’ve been to a picture book signing—Susan Meddaugh—which I can’t say much about because I missed the pre-signing talk. But I *can* say that SM was charming and very generous with her time during the actual signing part—personalizing each book with an illustration. And I’ve attended one middle-grade novelist event—Jeanne DuPrau. Again, very lovely and generous during the signing part. She gave a kind of bio for her talk beforehand. Discussing her history as a writer and how she’d come to write City of Ember.

Last night Holly Black and Cassandra (which is pronounced Ca-Sawn-dra, not sand like the stuff at the beach) Clare first introduced each other, giving a brief bio for the other writer, and then they talked about what urban fantasy is. They also discussed urban legends although I’ve forgotten how that ties into urban fantasy. Oh wait, I know. The idea that in this kind of story, the fantasy element is there to work out your feelings about something else, something very real. Fantasy isn’t escapist—it deals with the heart of people’s fears and passions. Like in the urban legend of The Hook, it isn’t just a scary story, it’s about the fact that sex is scary. Heh.

After their talk they passed around a hat that had a notebook and pen inside for anyone who wanted to ask them a question. I think this is a brilliant idea, for those who might otherwise be too nervous. As the hat went around they each read a bit from their books. This was the only time where they seemed a bit nervous, or maybe not nervous exactly—self-conscious? I wanted to tell them don’t lower your voice! don’t slump over the book like you’re unsure if we’ll like what you read! it’s great! you’re great! louder! don’t rush it! don’t swallow your jokes—they’re funny! I suppose this might be the hardest thing though, sharing what you’ve written. In spite of what we’re always told (don’t take it personally) when submitting work, it is so deeply personal.

Then they answered the questions from the hat.

I took a few pics, although I wish I’d taken more so I had a better selection to choose from. They look much better in real life than in my lame pics. (I also wish I had a better camera)

Holly reading:

Cassandra:

And me and Sara: