Posted by Lauren in Event Recap | 10 Comments
Event Recap: Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne
Last Sunday I drove into West LA to attend Sara Wilson Etienne’s launch party for Harbinger! The event took place at Children’s Book World–a store I’d never visited before! (I absolutely loved it, though; if you’re ever in the area, definitely stop by!) Without further ado, here’s my recap of the event!
Sara talking about Harbinger
Sara started the event off by giving us a little bit of history about the book and its conception. I was surprised to learn that Sara worked on Harbinger for ten years! The first draft was about 90 pages, and it contained zero dialogue. Ha! Crit partners, along with family and friends, helped shape it into a more complete novel.
Sara then read a bit of the first chapter and answered some questions. Here are some snippets of the Q&A session:
On Dedication
It took Sara a while to really devote herself to writing–she was able to write full-time, but she would find herself starting to type at 6pm and not getting very far. When she started running, she finally understood what it meant to push through pain in order to get far. Sara applied this to her writing, and she found her writing groove.
On Milestones
Sara is of the (awesome) belief that everything requires a celebration–and a bottle of champagne. Got a rejection letter? Pop open a bottle of bubbly. Found out that Tamora Pierce blurbed her book? You better believe there was champagne. Sara has saved all the corks from these milestones as keepsakes.
On Characters
An audience member asked if Sara was anything like her characters. Sara believes that each character has a little bit of herself. For example, Faye’s migraine headaches? Something Sara had experience with. Even Holbrook Academy has a basis in reality. The college Sara attended in Maine inspired the school for crazies in Harbinger. Sara promises that the real thing isn’t nearly as creepy as Holbrook. Really.
Look at all the books!
After the Q&A, we all lined up and got our books signed! All in all, it was a great event. Sara was such an enthusiastic and kind person! Plus, I got to meet and chat with a few of my twitter friends, including Alethea, Thuy, and Angie!
I LOVE Children’s Book World and I am really looking forward to reading this book! Sounds like it was a fun event, and I loved the photos. :)
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Great post!! I am so excited to read this book! It should be hear any day now. Sounds like the event was really great.
I wasn’t able to attend, stupid work. Looks like you had a great time though. Awesome recap.
awesome recap, lauren. children’s book world was so great. i really wish i lived closer. it was really fun meeting you in person. hope to see you at an event soon! :)
This looks like it was a really fun event, Lauren! I’m definitely going to have to order myself a copy of this book, it sounds great! Thanks for the recap!
Fantastic photos! I love it when authors reveal that there are parts of themselves in their characters. :)
Eeeee! this sounds like it was amazing! Oh my goodness! I love the answers! I lvoe the photos!
I love the… is that a Wonder Woman satchel? :OOO
OMG, those covers are even more beautiful in real life!
Children’s Book World sounds like one seriously awesome place. I think I want to live there :P
I am so sad I missed this (and John Green in January!) I didn’t even know this place existed! Now I do :) Great recap :)
I know now that the plan is to see you at events I’m not running myself, haha! I’m sad I couldn’t get into the actual talk portion (that room was stuffed!) but I had fun with you guys. :)