St. Paul and the MBA tradeshow

I almost went on a long travel-babble, but decided to make it all short and sweet.

After almost a year, I finally got to meet my editor, Fred Ramey, in person. I know understand how remarkable it is to have an editor who gets you as a writer. Fred says that at Unbridled, they like to publish careers. So, I think I’m staying.

On Friday, I took part in the actual conference. I was part of the “Moveable Feast.” That was where I got to bounce around to four different tables full of booksellers and tell them about my book. I think it all went well, and, just like Caitlin told me to do, I collected business cards. Now I have thank you notes to write.
It was at the author lunch before that where I got meet fellow Unbridled author Mattox Roesch, the author of Sometimes We’re Always Real Same-Same. I’ve been reading his book at little but haven’t jumped in completely yet. But, considering the philosophy behind Unbridled, I’m sure it will be a marvelous piece of work.
After the Moveable Feast, hung around in Rice Park in downtown St. Paul while I waited to meet up with my old internet based friends Brian and Michelle (and Brian’s fiance Benji). My old boss from Watermark Books came through the part on her way to her hotel and we chatted about the event and she kindly took my picture next to the F. Scott Fitzgerald statue in the park (see below).
My evening was spent with Brian, Benji, and Michele. It was a wonderful time, and I hope to see them all again soon. They took me for coffee, then to an Italian restaurant where everything was served family style - but for the life of me I can’t remember the name of the place. I think I was more pleased that it felt like we’d done all of this somehow before rather than awkward as if after all the online chatting we suddenly felt like strangers. It felt like being with old friends who I’d simply lost touch with and was able to pick-up the conversation exactly where we left off last.
Having met them, now I have to miss them.

Here are pictures.

Here is my friend, Laura Flaugher. She was at the first table of booksellers I spoke to. We used to work together at Watermark, then she moved back to Iowa. She helped me get my sea-legs before I went on to talk to other tables.

The F. Scott Fitzgerald statue.

Me and F. Scott.

There's me, Brian, Michele, and Benji, who made sure I got to my delayed flight on time. If only Benji could have made sure the pilot made it on time. The pilot was almost an hour late.