Gentle Readers,
Today is the last day of a three week vacation. I had planned this time off to coincide with the launch of my new book, Jane Austen Made Me Do It. I can’t even begin to tell you when I last had a three week holiday! Maybe in high school summer break? Dunno, its been so long it boggles the mind.
I can say that I spent my time productively. I have been pounding away on my computer with the furor of a bargain hunter at a Macy’s lingerie sale! Wrote twenty (20) blogs out of thirty-two (32) in total for my Grand Tour of the blogosphere (Oct 10 – Nov 10). Tweeting, Facebooking and commenting on the Internet like there is no tomorrow.
Flew to Ft. Worth and attended the Jane Austen Society of North America’s Annual General Meeting (Oct 14-16, 2011) during which I had my book launch party at the Sundance Square Barnes & Noble on Friday October 16.
Was introduced to BBC and Regency celeb Amanda Vickery (The Gentleman’s Daughter) who was there with the BBC filming a documentary on Jane Austen.
Attended the fiction authors luncheon arranged by the multi-talented Cindy Jones (My Jane Austen Summer).
Listened and laughed with plenary speaker Andrew Davies on Saturday afternoon. Introduced fellow JASNA – Puget Sound chapter member James Nagle for his breakout session on Coaches, Barouches and Gigs, Oh My!
Dressed for the banquet while catching up on conference gossip with roommate Deb Barnum (Jane Austen in Vermont).
Dined with Syrie and Bill James and Deb at the banquet. Watched the Regency Promenade through Sundance Square. Wanted to go watch the Regency dancing but crashed instead. (can you forgive me?)
Up at the crack of dawn Sunday morning to attend the Author Book Signing and then the closing brunch. Dashed off to the local UPS store to mail books, large poster of JAMMDI and a sundry stuff back home so that my luggage weight limit would not explode!
Headed out to The Kimbell Art Museum to see the brand new exhibit, Caravaggio and His Followers in Rome (WOW) with fellow JASNA – Puget Sound members Marian LaBeck, her sister Monica and Kimberly Brangwin. Jumped on a transport to the airport where we ran into Susan Mason-Milks (Mr. Darcy’s Proposal) and Karen Doornebos (Definitely Not Mr. Darcy) and had a quick bite at TGI Fridays in the airport terminal. Flew home, picked up my luggage, then my car, drove home. Cat Herman very happy to see me. Collapsed into bed at 1:00 am.
I returned on Sunday October 16th, over a week ago, and I still have not unpacked. Too busy! I have been running full out promoting my book online, writing emails and blogs like crazy. Saturday was my local Seattle book launch at Alderwood Barnes & Noble. (more on that on Friday) What an amazing event with the full contingent of fans, friends, family and co-workers all in attendance. It was red carpet sendoff for JAMMDI with me chatting about Jane Austen, my road to publication, reading from the book, tea and scones, live period music and English Country dancing. Phew!
So tomorrow, back to reality! I planned to spend my last day as an debut editor/author on the Internet, writing emails, blogs and social networking. That plan was nixed this morning when I could not get on my computer. ACK! I hear Frank Churchill’s voice echoing in my head from the 1996 movie adaptation of Emma! “Is your horse just washing his feet or are the darker forces at work here?” My computer was trying to install a Microsoft update that would not complete. NO COMPUTER. OMG! Total Internet withdrawal. What was I going to do? Two hours later the stupid update is still installing. What? This is madness.
So, what does a total Jane Austen obsessive who needs to be working on the Internet do? Read of course. I am half way through The Mysterious Death of Miss Austen, by Lindsay Ashford and am quite intrigued by her take on Anne Sharp, who was the governess to Jane’s wealthy brother Edward Austen’s daughter Fanny, and a lifelong friend to Jane too. It will surprise you.
It was also one of those ten days in the Pacific Northwest when it didn’t rain. A beautiful clear day resplendent Fall color, so I headed to Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in neighboring Woodinville (beautiful spot) and ordered a case of wine to be shipped to some friends as a thank you. Of course I had to stop by Costco in the way home! I just could not pass up buying tulip and daffodil bulbs on sale for my garden. Oh joy. Now I get to plant them. Here are the varieties: tulips Blushing Beauty and Van Eijk and daffodils Unsurpassable. Here is my kitchen table with all of my to do’s piling up! Notice new books: Persuasion: An Annotated Edition, The Garden Intrigue, by Lauren Willig and Austentatious, by Alyssa Goodnight along with Austen note cards to write thank you’s with, a pile of Jane Austen Made Me Do It book marks I need to mail to my authors and a bizzion blubs to plant in my garden!
By the time I got home late in the afternoon, my computer had finished its massive update, thank goodness and I had 48 emails to answer and two blogs to write.
I shall return to selling Jane Austen to the masses tomorrow. Honestly, I need a vacation from my vacation!
Cheer,
Laurel Ann
© 2007 -2011 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose
Aia HY
Christina B.
Br. Paul Byrd, OP
Jeffrey
RegencyRomantic
Katie P.
Lisa Galek
Lucy Warriner
Sarah Emsley
shelleydewees
Virginia Claire
Veronica Monique
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
I am feeling breathless just reading this post and looking at that table. What a soldier you are! That book ought to sell millions! (-;
The promotion worked as far as I am concerned – I pre-ordered JAMMDI, and have stared reading it : wonderful! Excellent introduction, especially… The timing ot the launch was immaculate, ensuring that you were able to attend fun things as part of it.
So jealous that you already have a copy of Lauren Willig’s The Garden Intrigue! (Even if it does represent work for you. I look forward to reading your review.)
Thanks for your kind complements HJ. I have an incredible team of agent, editor, publicist and Random House marketing behind me. I feel very fortunate.
I am looking forward to reading Lauren’s book too. Hopefully in another few weeks I can dig into it.
Wow! I’m exhausted – back to work for you for a relaxing break!
Just so glad that I got to spend a little quality time with you on your holiday! Great memories of the AGM, cowboy style!
Amazing what you can do in a day when the computer is ailing – it should be required on a weekly basis for our sanity, don’t you think??
And now we need to have a confab about the Ashford book…cannot really post about it without giving too much away can we?
Enjoy your sojourn back to work, Laurel Ann, and thanks for sharing your adventures with us!
Deb
Now you can get back to work to rest! Glad to the the success of the book launch! I’m currently reading JAMMDI and I’m thoroughly enjoying the stories, wishing you continues success!
That does sound exhausting…but fun!
Personally, I’d have just checked into the winery for the next few days…
AWESOME comment!
Wish I had thought of that!
Wow!!! That was a LOT to do! I feel your pain on the computer issues… my computer whacked out last week, and I was completely in PANIC mode! It was finally corrected, but it’s scary when you think you’re going to lose everything on your computer! LOL The tulip shopping sounds wonderful, and I have to say that I’m excited to see you have a copy of that new Persuasion: an annotated edition there on your table – I just received my copy recently and I just LOVE it! :) Good to see you “back” and was wonderful hearing all about your trip :)
I’m exhausted just listening to your itinerary–whew! But you had so much fun! What I’m impressed with is the fact you didn’t have a complete meltdown when your computer didn’t work…my heart skipped a beat just reading about it. Glad to hear that all is well and you had a lovely time. I enjoy your site(s) so much!
Wow, what a busy three weeks! Sounds like you had lots of fun. I was unable to make this year’s AGM as I had to travel for work and I was so disappointed. Luckily, I had my copy of Jane Austen Made Me Do It to make up for it a bit! It’s such a great book and I am reading the stories slowly since I know I will be disappointed when it ends.
I’m still regretting not having gotten to meet you there. And Amanda Vickery was there, too? Wow. I love her books and can’t wait until the find a way to get ’round to that idea that her Georgian series should be produced for US consumers.
Please take it easy back at work. I struggle every time I go into my local B & N not to point out your book and tell them that it was edited by someone just like them. Shoot, the whole chain should be promoting this book as by one of their employees!
I’m finishing up Stephanie Barron’s 10th book and then I pick up JAMMDI. Yippie! Aside to Stephanie, I love your books and bought The Canterbury Tales for next.
Enjoy the ride, Laurel Ann!
I hope you have rested thoroughly and with renewed energy, you are ready to face any challenges thrown at you. I would like to have the lovely bookmarks if it’s possible.
What a terrific three weeks you had, Laurel Ann!! I would have loved to hear Andrew Davies speak. You met so many interesting people. You should feel truly charmed and blessed. I am very happy for you. Congratulations on your new book, which I have sitting in my to-be-read stack. Can’t wait to get to it!!!
Great to see the picture of you and Deb, our wonderful JASNA-VT leader! Sounds like you had a fabulous time in TX!
Thank you for sharing this with us! I feel like we are living vicariously through you! Sounds like a busy but exciting vacation!
Congratulations! Your book is next on my ever growing TBR pile. I am so jealous you have Lauren Willig’s new book on your table. She is a favorite of mine. I think you needed to spend more time at the winery! or maybe the brewery near by (at least I think it is nearby from my long ago trip that way).
“Even pleasure you know is fatiguing…” Emma
Christina – you are the quote queen. I give you the crown and scepter.
I always feel like I need a vacation from my vacation, but it’s so worth it! Your time off sounds like it was wonderful and well-spent.