Pictures from the book-signing in Winston-Salem

I'm back! Had a wonderful time at Diana Gabaldon's book-signing today in Winston-Salem, NC. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and we managed well despite the fact that it rained lightly throughout Diana's talk and book-signing.

Highlights of this day, for me:

Lunch with Diana and a group of forumites at a local restaurant. That was a thrill for all of us, I think, and I was just delighted to be able to spend some time chatting with Diana in person and in a more relaxed environment.



I love this pic of Diana and me and Shirley Williams (right), who organized the luncheon - what a wonderful memento of an unforgettable day!



I got to hold THE EXILE in my hands -- briefly -- and it looks gorgeous! (Tried not to look too closely. I want to *savor* that first-reading experience, and I figure I can wait 10 more days. ) It's thicker than I was imagining, somehow, more substantial-looking, which is good.

I asked Diana, over lunch, "Have you decided what excerpt you're going to read?" She nodded. "From Book 8?" "Yes." "Is it one of the cliffhanger pickups?" "Yes. You can cover your ears if you want to." But of course I couldn't bring myself to do that when the moment came. The excerpt (Jamie and Lord John) was WONDERFUL, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and my first coherent thought afterward was, "If ECHO ended with a series of firecrackers, Book 8 looks like it's going to begin with fireworks!"

My homemade sign was a bit the worse for wear by the time Diana saw it, due to all the moisture in the air, but it recovered just fine as soon as I got it home, and I was happy to have it signed. I'm sure I'll use it again sometime. (Note Diana's copy of THE EXILE on the table at the lower left side of this picture. <g>)



Diana signed my Hebrew copy of OUTLANDER. (Not sure if she's ever actually signed one of those before; I forgot to ask.) The picture below shows her looking at the page in the text that shows the blood vow at the wedding.



The inscription in the Green Slime ECHO paperback (which I did not actually read until I got home) reads, "To Karen, Czarina of Traffic and a great friend." Great friend? I was really, genuinely touched by that. It means a lot to me.

It was great meeting so many Compuserve forum members for the first time today! Hope you all enjoy the pictures, whether you were there in person or not.