Thursday, May 01, 2008

In which I drop names and brag a lot

Ok, so just how cool is it to attend the Edgar Award banquet and see client's names and faces in the program?? WAY cool!

I'd known two of my marvelous authors were writing stuff for the Edgars this year and serving on judging committees, but since it didn't involve me yammering on the phone or setting fire to a contract, I hadn't paid close attention.

And then, there they are. I restrained myself from thrusting the program in everyone's face and saying "see her, that's MY fabulous writer" and "see him, that's MY fabulous writer" but only cause I was too busy drinking vino and playing with my slithery competitor Donna Bagdasarian's wonderful Ferragamo shawl. I tried to steal it but she knew my evil ways and duct taped it to her shoulder blades.


Very very cool to get a chance to say hello to my idol Philip Spitzer. I was also fortunate to sit next to one of his clients Alafair Burke so we spent quite a few minutes extolling his many virtues.

I found myself surrounded by all the partners of Partners & Crime at one point. I think my IQ went up six points just by virtue of their company. Laurie King rounded out our quintet and really I could have died then and there with happiness. They could have booted me out then and there and I would have gone home happy from just getting to hang out with those four for a while.

Alison Janssen, editor to the stars at Bleak House Books wore a dress that required armed security guards accompany her. Several gentleman attending the banquet offered to take over guard duty should she need it.

The highlight of Alison's dress however was when we were in the lobby afterward and she elevated the skirt about 32 inches about the floor to show me her Roller Derby bruises (she's got abstract expressionist art on her thigh!). I heard crashing behind me and realized three guys ran into the wall cause they were looking at her, not where they were going.

Larry Block quit shaving his head. Harlan Coben gets taller everytime I see him, and Jason Starr is a hottie.

In a stunning surprise Down River by John Hart won best novel. His editor is Pete Wolverton, a guy I think knows GREAT books when he sees them.

It's been a helluva week. Amazing, fun, and thank god it's only once a year!

11 comments:

astrologymemphis.blogspot.com said...

How fun! And what did Janet Reid wear?

Julie Weathers said...

This sounds like so much fun. I'm glad to hear even experienced agents still get excited about these things.

Jessica Nelson said...

I don't know any of those people but this sure was funny. Glad you had a blast.

John Cecil said...

I didn't know John Hart had a second novel already… didn't he write King of Lies last year? Oh, well, I did like King of Lies. I wasn't into the plot that much but he had an original , efficient style.

Margaret Yang said...

Lawrence Block quit shaving his head? Pictures, we need pictures!

I had no idea that agents were ever, at any time, star-struck. I thought the publishing business beat that out of you long ago. How wonderful that it hasn't.

Susan Adrian said...

Ooooh, sounds fabulous! I want a picture of the shawl.

Mags said...

I hadn't realized the Edgars were so sexy. That's always good to hear.

Chiron said...

I practically spit my tea out reading about the three guys who ran into the wall. *snort*

You always paint such a vivid picture.

Still chuckling,
Chiron O'Keefe

Liana Brooks said...

Janet, for shame, all this gossip and no pictures? (gasp) What's a poor girl to do?

And I so want legs that make guys walk into walls....

I'm glad you had fun, and that you didn't perish of happiness.

Aimlesswriter said...

In my deepest of sleeps I dream of an Edgar...
Congrats to your writer!
I'd like to echo the requests for pictures!

Mindy Tarquini said...


And I so want legs that make guys walk into walls....


I'd settle for legs that don't make the lipo doc drop everything to call his travel agent and book a round the world cruise for him and all his extended family.