Kevin Hearne was my first...

There are just some people out there that simply amaze me. Authors are definitely some of them.  People who's imaginations are so broad that they invent worlds and rules, and create people from the crevices of their brains quite frankly intimidate the shit out of me.  I have no doubt that their brains are always firing.  They're always creating.  How do you talk to people when you know you're not as smart as them?  I didn't know, but I was determined to find out.

When I realized that Kevin Hearne was coming to San Diego Comic Con, I decided to stuff my fear and worries back in the closet, and committed to making him my first author meet and greet.

I couldn't have asked for a better person for my first time.

Kevin created an impromptu "Come talk to me, I don't bite" event Saturday morning at this coffee house/bookstore called Upstart Crow near the convention center.  Even though his awful trolley experience resulted in him walking 12 blocks to the bookstore, he showed up smiling and in a good mood.  He continued to be nice and indulged us with witty conversation and lots of geek talk for nearly 2 hours.  He signed 5 books for me (yes, one of them will be for you guys... stay tuned) He didn't rip me apart when I forgot some small (and a couple of large) details from the previous books, he just politely reminded me of them.  Even though the entire table gasped, no one flat out laughed at me when I said, "Who is Patrick Rothfuss?" Kevin kindly explained to me who this god was, and why I should bow to him.

We continued to talk about all the fantasy authors I just had to read.  He even let me listen in as he discussed some things about book 4, Tricked,  with his alpha reader.  And he only laughed a little when I called Mrs. MacDonagh the "zombie widow".  {and no, she's not a zombie. Or a possessed ghost. Or a demon.}  He told me the story of how Atticus and Oberon came to be. Basically, the morning was perfect.

The real freak out moment came when I mentioned at our parting that if he's got time he should really go try this authentic Irish pub called The Field.  And Kevin responded "We should all go."  *blink* I was going to have whiskey and fish-n-chips with Mr. Druid himself?  Too surreal.

Since today was the day with no fear, I went.  We drank, we ate, we drank a wee bit more.  We told corny jokes. I even became so comfortable that I poked fun at the alpha reader a few time.  Apologies Alan, I'm told I get a little mean when Im nervous. I even captured a small little video of Kevin singing "welcome to the jungle". Even though the fish and chips weren't as good as Rula Bulas, I showed everyone the wonder that is a sausage roll.  It was a "fuckton" of fun.

Biggest thank you to Mr. Hearne, his alpha reader and his wife, for letting the strange fan girl hang out with you all.

Kevin, you have ruined me for all other authors.