The Sunday Salon – Meeting Maureen Johnson
The very awesome Maureen Johnson came to town last Friday, and I had the pleasure of meeting her. Initially she was going to do an actual event, but when that imploded for unknown reasons she let us know via Twitter when she’d be going to Waterstone’s to sign their stock, so we could have an impromptu ninja-style gathering.


A group of about fifteen people (which included fellow book bloggers Darren and Raimy-rawr) was there when she arrived, and for the following half an hour or so we stood around shuffling awkward and talking. Maureen Johnson said that this was by far the most awkward event (or non-event) she’d ever done, and she even took our picture for posterity – here we are, posing awkwardly at her request:

Posing awkwardly for the picture Maureen Johnson took.
However, if there’s such a thing as good awkward this was certainly it. People were obviously very happy to see her, and she was exactly the same as she is on twitter – hilarious and eccentric and approachable and fun to be around. Several books were signed, a unicorn she thrust into my hands was used to redecorate a display of John Green’s Paper Towns, awkward pauses were had, and Halloween books and Christmas preparations were discussed.

Redecorating.
I wanted to thank Maureen Johnson for being a constant source of humour, intelligence, insight, and reasonableness whenever someone’s wrong on the internet, but you know how those things always slip your mind at the time. Someone thanked her for #YASaves, though, which was very apt.

Getting my book signed.

To those of you going to her Proper Event in London next Saturday, please enjoy it for the rest of us, and make sure you tell us all about it!
A group of about fifteen people (which included fellow book bloggers Darren and Raimy-rawr) was there when she arrived, and for the following half an hour or so we stood around shuffling awkward and talking. Maureen Johnson said that this was by far the most awkward event (or non-event) she’d ever done, and she even took our picture for posterity – here we are, posing awkwardly at her request:

Posing awkwardly for the picture Maureen Johnson took.
However, if there’s such a thing as good awkward this was certainly it. People were obviously very happy to see her, and she was exactly the same as she is on twitter – hilarious and eccentric and approachable and fun to be around. Several books were signed, a unicorn she thrust into my hands was used to redecorate a display of John Green’s Paper Towns, awkward pauses were had, and Halloween books and Christmas preparations were discussed.
I wanted to thank Maureen Johnson for being a constant source of humour, intelligence, insight, and reasonableness whenever someone’s wrong on the internet, but you know how those things always slip your mind at the time. Someone thanked her for #YASaves, though, which was very apt.
Getting my book signed.
To those of you going to her Proper Event in London next Saturday, please enjoy it for the rest of us, and make sure you tell us all about it!
I enjoyed reading your fun post about the awkward event. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this - very fun post and I especially loved seeing the Hello Kitty - LOL! What an amazing phenomenon that is - you can see it all over the world!
ReplyDeletealways nice to meet a writer ,all the best stu
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like she really appreciates her fans! Y'all look so cute posed awkwardly.
ReplyDeleteNan: I'm glad to hear it :)
ReplyDeleteJill: lol! Yeah, she put that there as well :P
Stu: Yes it is, especially when they're this friendly!
Kathy: Yes! She didn't have to tell us when she'd be there, and yet she did. And she kept thanking us for coming.
Thank you for the post.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the awkward moments are better. :)
ReplyDeleteI can see how it might be awkward, but it sounds really fun. Did someone suggest going out for drinks afterwards?
ReplyDeleteThis just proves: awkward can be super fun :) a chance to meet an awesome author, signed books and fellow bookish friends... sounds like you had a lovely time Ana! :)
ReplyDeleteThis does sound awkward, but fun, too. It makes for an interesting story. :)
ReplyDeleteI like James' suggestion. Drinks always magically make awkward moments disappear.
ReplyDeleteI have now seen Maureen Johnson speak twice but have never had the opportunity to actually meet her! Sigh. Well one day, right? This sounds like a fabulous time, especially since the crowd was pretty small!
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I am glad there was still an event, even if unofficial! Have a great week, Ana.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I am glad there was still an event, even if unofficial! Have a great week, Ana.
ReplyDeleteaw, I'm glad you got to meet her and that it was fun even if awkward!
ReplyDeleteEXPLOSIVE JEALOUSY.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you were able to meet Maureen. Some authors would have probably just gave up and signed books without letting their fans know.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am glad that you got a chance to see her, but sorry it was so awkward! Awkwardness is a hallmark of my life, so I understand how that can be...Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
ReplyDeleteI think awkward might be my word of the weekend! My son and his friend were using it all weekend, sometimes awkwardly!
ReplyDeleteI am rapidly becoming a Maureen Johnson fangirl! I am currently reading Name of the Star and loving it!
I really need to find her on Twitter and follow her I think!
Thanks for posting about this.
And, I literally pressed post on my previous comment and the news presenter used the word awkward!
ReplyDeleteSo, wait, was this an event or a group stalking? ;) You're so lucky to go to author signings and events like this!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful that you get to meet up with Maureen Johnson! I know I'd be excited... I just wish we've authors signings here. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteShe's great, isn't she! Sounds like a fun and memorable event. I enjoy her tweets.
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome she planned a non-event, get together anyway! She's going to be here in town at the end of the month and I'm definitely looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds so cool!
ReplyDeletenoooooo you got a picture of me?! lol
ReplyDeleteIts a shame I didnt know it was you otherwise I would have said hi! it was a very fun, even though it was awkward, event.. or non-event! haha I wish it was less awkward but the unicorn made up for it!
Nymeth, that's just too strange -- I saw the "awkward" picture when Maureen posted it to Twitter but I had NO IDEA I was looking at you in it :) How exciting that you got to meet her -- jealous. She's lovely online and it's so nice she was able to get a few fans together even for an awkward non-event ;)
ReplyDelete