Wicked Journey: #SparkBooks Launch

Wicked Journey is a feature is where I recount the times I actually went out of my comfort zone and went to different places. This includes book signings, travels, and other posts related to journeying.

So, yesterday was the first ever book signing I attended for this year. Now that school's out, I can definitely enjoy some reading. I found out about these books during MIBF last September and I only knew two of the authors, Kate Evangelista and Chrissie Peria, but the rest, I've only heard of now. Not only are the covers really pretty, these books are really cheap too. The stories, even if I haven't read all of them are phenomenal. So, I bought all six books in one go because that's how I roll.

Yup, number 4. This is the nearest I got to being an early bird in all of the book signings I ever attended.  Originally, six authors were supposed to be there. But Camilla Sisco (Submission Moves) and Bianca Mori (Tame The Kitten) weren't able to attend due to prior commitments *insert tears*.

I spent the day yesterday with this lovely lady, Jera, whom I haven't seen in a looooooong time. I was really happy that she came yesterday so we got to catch up.

The event was hosted by Mina Esguerra, author of Envy Park, The Harder We Fall and Never Just Friends. She's one of the first local romance authors I knew about. She has published a lot of books already, both in print and online. Aside from that, she also handles writing classes online and helps in spreading the love for local authors.

The first author she introduced was Chrissie Peria, author of The Kitchen When It Sizzles and All's Fair In Blog and War. Her new book, The Kitchen When It Sizzles, is about the story of Olivia Nadal, the almost perfect heroine and Nate Olivarez, very very smexy chef. Their lives intertwine in a really hot and sizzling romance and of course, food. This was one of the six I picked up and I am hooked. Here is Chrissie as she shared an excerpt from her new book. Chrissie loves taking photos, cooking, and taking care of a tiny human. Said tiny human was present yesterday and was the cutest thing I have ever seen.

(Click here to watch the whole video. Special thanks to Dianne of Oops I Read A Book Again for allowing me to share the videos she took yesterday.)

Next up was Agay Llanera, author of Once Upon A Player, Vintage Love, and Choco Chip Hips. Once Upon A Player is about the story of college star player (as the blurb said, in every sense of the word) Val Fabian and how she tries to win over Jake Clementia before graduation. Agay is also a freelance TV writer and when she's not writing, she's watching volleyball games in the arena. Here is Agay sharing an excerpt from her new book.

(Click here to watch the whole video. Special thanks to Dianne of Oops I Read A Book Again for allowing me to share the videos she took yesterday.)

Kate Evangelista is the proud author of Til Death and her new book Savor. She wanted to write that's why she entered medical school...really. Now, she's writing full time. Savor, from the looks of it, is pretty intense. The cover is intense. The blurb on the back is intense. It even came in with a warning. Savor is about Dakota Collins, a photography student with an eye patch, and Luka Visraya, smexy vocalist of the indie band called Vicious, and how their lives are intertwined. Here is Kate, looking as fabulous as ever, sharing an excerpt from her new book.

(Click here to watch the whole video. Special thanks to Dianne of Oops I Read A Book Again for allowing me to share the videos she took yesterday.)

Dawn Lanuza is the author of The Boyfriend Backtrack and What About Today. She's in the music industry by morning and writes during the night. The Boyfriend Backtrack is about Regina Cortes and how her life is like a movie. Every moment in her life is played out in a montage. All the men that has Regina has been with, their memories and all, come crashing back to her. Here is Dawn as she shares an excerpt from her new book.

(Click here to watch the whole video. Special thanks to Dianne of Oops I Read A Book Again for allowing me to share the videos she took yesterday.)

 Next up was question and answer portion time. I really learned a lot from these ladies. Their stories are somewhat drawn from personal experience and extensive research. In the case of Chrissie, she had to look up on cooking courses online. Like, what happens and the cooking jargon. Kate also shared that she does not look at reviews online. As she said, "It's a rabbit hole!" It was funny, really.

Then it was time to raffle off prizes from the authors. Most of the winners were guys and girls named Camille. And then there's me. Awkward duckling that I am, won a goodie bag from Dawn Lanuza!

Coming up to the authors, well, it was really funny. I'm thankful that there were only a few people in the event because it meant having more time to chat up with the authors. Dawn and Agay noticed me because they remembered my Twitter and Instagram handle! *woot woot*  I also got take more photos with them!

This was me being awkward with Kate Evangelista. Because a) her eyes are just so pretty and b) I literally have no idea what to say...

I also took a photo with Kate's momager. Throughout the event, Kate was addressing her mom and well, I couldn't pass up the chance to take a photo with her mom. She was a very sweet woman. After Jera and I took photos with her, she said, "I'll be famous!" And we laughed and kidded that maybe at the end of the day, someone will put up a Facebook page for her.

I also grabbed the chance to get a picture taken and a book signed by Mina Esguerra since she was there and her books are 10% off that day. Win win for me!

I went home with a big smile on face. I will never forget this event. I'm looking forward to reading all these amazing books I brought home with me. This is probably the start of me reading local author's work, which is something I haven't done ever.

Many thanks to National Bookstore and to Anvil Publishing! Here's to more books from local authors~!

Stephanie Perkins in the Philippines!

Yup! You heard right! Stephanie Perkins, author of Anna and The French Kiss and Lola and The Boy Next Door is dropping by the Philippines on July 5 and 6! This event is brought to you by National Bookstore, the country's national bookstore, in partnership with Chalk, Metro, ABS-CBN Publishing and Raffles Makati, the official residence.

If you're planning to go, below are some of the guidelines for the book signing:

When and where are the book signings? 
July 5, 1:00 pm, at National Book Store, SM Cebu 
July 6, 2:00 pm, at National Book Store, Glorietta 1

When will the registration be? 
Registration opens at 10:00 am on July 5 at National Book Store, SM Cebu (in the store, NOT the events area) and 10:00 am on July 6 at National Book Store, Glorietta 1. Each guest will be asked to fill out the registration form upon arrival. Separate registrations for each event is required should you wish to attend both events. First come, first served. 

Is there a registration fee? 
No. There is no registration fee. 

How many books can I have signed? Is there a limit as to how many people can have their books signed? 
You may have any number of books signed as long as they were purchased from National Book Store, Bestsellers or Powerbooks, and we do not have any preset limit as to the number of people. 

However, although we will take every effort to get as many books signed as possible, depending on the number of attendees, we reserve the right to limit the number of copies per person or limit the number of people in line. First come, first served. 

Can I bring old books or other editions of the books? 
Yes, as long as the books were purchased from National Book Store, Bestsellers and Powerbooks. 

Do I need to buy on-site? 
No. You can buy books before or during the event. 

Can I have other items signed? 
No. Only books will be allowed to be signed by the authors. 

Can we have our photo taken with the author? 
Yes, you can have your photo with the author when she signs your book. However, we strictly allow one photo per person only. 

How much are the books? 
Anna and the French Kiss (Trade Paperback – P349) 
Lola and the Boy Next Door (Trade Paperback – P349) 
Isla and the Happily Ever After (will be released in August 14)

So, see you there! And be sure to use the hashtag: #StephaniePerkinsInPH and spread the word!

Wicked Journey: Tahereh Mafi, Ransom Riggs and Veronica Rossi in Manila!

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE! It's been two days since I got to be face to face with Tahereh Mafi, Ransom Riggs, and Veronica Rossi. I am still shaking from the experience. This is my second book signing too. So, I arrived at Glorietta at around 7 am and the line was pretty long already. I was praying that I could get a seat at the venue. Luckily, I found a friend of mine, Alia, while waiting in line. I got to convince her to save me a seat in return that I register seven books since I only have one book and National Bookstore set a limit for eight books per person.

After I registered, I quickly got to my seat and set up camp. I met my Twitter friends there and met new ones as well. It was sort of a meet up of everyone. My inner talkative goddess came out because of them.

By 3 pm, they came out to meet us! (Sorry for like super unHQ pictures. TT_TT)

(This was the crazy crowd. Credits to National Bookstore for this picture!)

(Credits to National Bookstore for this photo)

The screams were deafening when they took on the stage. I was shaking and screaming and taking pictures and videos at the same time. Tahereh was so beautiful and she wore these neon colored heel less pumps that looked so pretty yet so scary to wear and walk around with. But she handled it gracefully. But Veronica Rossi was much beautiful in person. I haven't read her series yet but now I am currently reading Under The Never Sky. I just, like, fell in love with her face. I think I found myself an author crush. :)

Ransom was adorable with his little camera taking videos and pictures of everyone. Like Tahereh, he's one snappy dresser. So, the interview started. Under The Never Sky is slated for a movie under Warner Brothers. Shatter Me is also slated for a movie under 20th Century. And Miss Peregrine is also going to be a movie with Tim Burton as directed. How awesome is that?! Ransom also said that auditions are open for any male aged 18 who wants to play Jacob, the lead in Miss Peregrine. I wonder if the guys in the crowd ever considered auditioning for the role. :) Tahereh also shared that she knew from the first book who Juliette was going end up with. TEAM WARNER RAISE YOUR BANNERS! :) Veronica also shared that there ain't any love triangle in the Under The Never Sky series.

(Credits to National Bookstore for this photo)

In case you didn't know, Tahereh and Ransom got married last year. Everyone ships Ransereh because they are just the cutest, most awkward author couple ever. Tahereh shared to the crowd how she and Ransom met and Ransom was looking at her lovingly and I think I just died on the spot. And to add to that, the crowd screamed for a kiss, which of course they did. *cue FANGIRL SCREAMING*

(I'll post videos on the interviews later on. As I'm writing this, videos are currently uploading. Sucks right?)

Thanks to the books of my friends I got to have a picture with Veronica and Ransom because technically I only have Ignite Me with me. I know, loser me. Haha! I was number 156. At my first book signing, I was number 342. It pays off when you're early. There were three girls who literally camped out though. They were there in front of National Bookstore at Glorietta at around 2 AM! Crazy, right? Booknerds, take cue!

My picture with Tahereh was like a family picture because Ransom's face was in the background. <3 I didn't get to say anything to her because I was just so starstruck because this was the lady who created Aaron Warner for me to fall in love with. <3

Look at Veronica! She is just so pretty. We had a little conversation.

Veronica: Hi!

Me: Hi!

Veronica: How are you?

Me: I'm good.

Veronica: Are you having fun?

Me: Yes! This is so cool!

Veronica: Is this yours? *as I handed her the copy of Into The Still Blue*

Me: No, it's for a friend.

Veronica: Oh, I see.

And then we posed for this picture. *__*

Another incident happened with Ransom Riggs. The girl in front of me was chatting him up while he signed the four books I have. And then when she was done, it was my turn. But then the two of us got like confused with which book belonged to who and Ransom was like: "Oops! Tsk! Tsk!* He crossed his arms ad his face had this fake angry expression. It was so adorable!

I was in cloud nine when I got back to my seat and I was like so stunned after that. When I got back to my senses, I took my chance and selfied with all of my friends. :)

(Me with Jayvee of Writer For Misfits.)

(Me with Alia of Pondering of Psyche.)

(Me with Raine who is also a fan of 5 Seconds of Summer.)

(Me with Neil. He's so tall and he's wearing a 'Tider and Proud' shirt. I'm very jealous.)

(Tahereh Mafi doll! This came along with a Ransom Riggs doll but unfortunately I didn't get to take a picture with it. Credits to Joan of @DanahYumi on Twitter for the doll!)

I went home with my arms throbbing but it was all worth it. I was so so happy that I got to meet three authors all in the same day. I am thanking my lucky stars for this. Here;s to more book signings.

Do follow National Bookstore on Twitter (@nbsalerts) and on Facebook and on Instagram for more updates on upcoming book signings and releases of new books.