I ended up skipping the Day of Education to go to dinner with two friends and a new baby, but did attend the Teen Author Carnival in the West Village. I had a great time seeing my friend Melissa Anelli again and finally meeting Sarah MacLean! I also got to thank Libba Bray for the awesome pro-gay-marriage post she wrote on her journal the other day and have a nice long gab with Aimee Friedman. AND I got to gush to Elizabeth Scott about her books, and urge Lauren Barnholdt to please keep writing awesome tween for me to sell, and meet Coe Booth and Cinda Williams Chima! I didn’t get to talk to everyone I wanted to talk to, but I had a great time talking to those I did. (And man, I know I’m forgetting people. Eep.)

(Then I went out to dinner and to see 9 to 5 with my friend Mike. Oh, 9 To 5. You’re so cute and earnest and gosh darn it, you’re trying so hard. Who’s a little musical? But you have Allison Janney, Queen of All Things, so I am glad I saw you.)

Oh! But on the way to the subway, I saw Neil Gaiman walking in the West Village, sporting a very jaunty hat. I was very excited. I did not go up and fangirl, but chose to just smile like an idiot for three blocks. I will see him speak tomorrow.

Tomorrow it’s off to the Javits for the incredibly punishing schedule I’ve drawn up for myself. I’m getting up at 6, so why, at 11:55 PM, am I writing this post?

(And I haven’t even mentioned that I received and FINISHED Catching Fire, or that I am reading Shiver and am so completely in love with it. Or that you all need an ARC of The Blonde of the Joke, like, right now.)

Good night!