A lot of writers have some very personal and some splashy and some just private ways of celebrating when a new book gets released. When Love Letters from a Duke hit the NY Times extended list, I celebrated by buying the espresso machine I’d been dying to own—a De Longhi Magnifica. I have to say that was the first time I’d ever done anything extravagant over one of my books. And I admit I felt really guilty about buying it (even at a steal on eBay) until I poured in the first pound of beans and it made me a cuppa in no time flat. Good espresso is funny like that. It just wipes out any guilt it comes across.
I have to admit to being rather tame and a bit of a milquetoast compared to my friend, Jane Porter. You see, she launched her new book, Odd Mom Out, last week and she did it in style. Jane loves to celebrate when she has a new book out, and so the first order of business was a launch party at the Bellevue B&N—which seemed appropriate since the book is set in the tony Medina neighborhood which is really in Bellevue, though the Medina residents tend to think of themselves as in a world in and of their own. The MMs (Medina Moms) were out in force, as there is a bit of an uproar that Jane has written a book about them. Personally, I think she describes them just right—(after all, Jane will confess to being one as well) and if they are offended over her portrayal of their overblown, quest for perfection lifestyles, then perhaps there is something to her writing. Okay, not perhaps, she’s right on.
Still, you have to find it ironic, that even in their snitty uproar, they queued up to buy Odd Mom Outin droves (I do believe competitive spending is an Olympic event in their world) and Jane sold over 150 books in about an hour. Go Jane!
But besides the staccato tap of angry designer shoes and the occasional ruffle of perfectly blown hair, there were also a whole bunch of Jane’s friends in the audience—fellow writers, old friends and the kind of moms—those of us who understand what it is to be an “odd” mom, who were there to applaud and celebrate with her, like Kelli Estes and Christina Arbini, here getting their books signed by Jane. Kelli and Christina are wonderful folks, aspiring writers who know how hard it is to publish, and always there to cheer on their fellow writers.
The party then moved to one of Jane’s favorite spots in Bellevue, Oobas, where Kelli and Christina forced me to drink a mojita. Twisted my arm. Got in my way as I made a bee-line for the bar and got a drink and some of Oobas great food. We ate and drank and chatted about writing and the upcoming Emerald City Conference, and agreed that Jane knows how to throw a party.
What sort of party would you throw for a book launch? Not a party girl—how would you celebrate?
Well my husband and I tease (wish, hope, dream) that with my first book we can save enough money for a cruise. Never been on one before and I think it’d be lots of fun!
But after the first one (again hoping, wishing I have more than one hehe)…I think I’d go for small celebrations, like a night out or just a small gift to myself.
Haven, I’m with you on the small celebrations. I’m not the big splashy launch sort of girl. More of a dinner at Red Robin with the kids. 🙂
Ahhhh, such nice comments about us, Elizabeth! 🙂 Oh, and I don’t recall having to twist your arm too terribly much over that mojito. LOL! I had a blast catching up with you again and can’t wait to see you more at the Emerald City conference. I think I’m behind on one of your books, so I hope you’ll be signing! 🙂
Christina
Of course there was arm twisting and I have the bruises to prove. Now excuse me while I go put my arm in a vise to gain my evidence.
Argh! I realized at 8pm that I’d totally missed the book-signing at B&N, despite having it on my schedule. Thanks for the update, though I’m totally kicking myself on all the fun I missed. I plan on bringing my copy in to have it signed by Jane at the Emerald City Conf.
Elizabeth, I’m always happy with a meal I don’t have to cook lol..or even better, clean up after.
So for a celebration dinner, I’d be perfectly content with Cracker Barrel. BTW I love their Apple Desert!
I would take my entire family and closest friends out to dinner at a friend’s restaurant to celebrate.
Congrats on making the NY Times extended list!! Not surprising to me in the least and I haven’t even read it yet. I plan to grab a copy at the NJ conference this weekend!!
Santa! You’re coming this weekend? Awesome! See you there.
My husband thinks coffee in any form is a life necessity, so he heartily approves of your choice.
The ability to gather my CP’s in one place (where I didn’t have to dress up, and I could drink hot chocolate with mounds of whipped cream) would be my ultimate celebration.
Sounds like a great time, Elizabeth. I’ve always felt like the Odd Mom Out and even blogged about something similar last week. I can’t wait to read this book!
Congrats on your new expresso machine! Now each time you have one, you can think about making the NYT! What a perfect way to make the celebration go on and on and on! Smart thinking!
I’ve never even thought of a launch party. How sad is that?
Melissa! We so have to have a launch party. We’ll tell our DHs that we are having it in: (Portland – for me, Seattle for you) and we’ll meet in between and make it a girls weekend away in say, like Centralia! That’s my kind of launch party.
It’s so fun to log on to your blog and see a picture of…me! 🙂 And, with such nice comments! Thanks!
My launch party will probably be a small get-together with friends — for my first book. After that, I just might have to follow in Jane’s footsteps.
Of course, I’ll have to have my “I got the call” party first. When it happens, you’ll be one of the first to know! 🙂