Piece of Cake

Two outta three ain't bad.

Many thanks to stalwart fans young and old who made it to University Bookstore in Bellevue this morning for our Mia and the Magic Cupcakes event! I woke up at five stinkin' a.m. this morning having dreamt that it was Monday and I'd totally forgotten to show up. Yeeks! I thought. I didn't show and Margo had the flu, so I hope Teri went. Plus I was supposed to bring the cupcakes and cookies, so that means there weren't even any treats! In my dream I had to face the bookstore staff, weeping and apologizing.

I am relieved and happy to report that I did remember to go, and I did bring the sweets. The bit about Margo having the flu was real, unfortunately, not just because it meant she couldn't be there but also because it meant I picked up the cupcakes at Pinkabella, and not only did I get the two dozen minis, but I absolutely had to try today's Blueberry Pie flavor!

Front side of the display

And the back!

The staff at University Books outdid themselves again, from the adorable poster to the impressive display of Cupcakiana gathered from all UBS locations. Cookbooks, lip gloss, tote bags, knit caps, tissue paper, pins, Kleenex holder, Valentines, cupcake-making kits, and one very discreet volume entitled Kinky Cupcakes. These photos show the displays before they were mauled and manhandled by all the children at the reading.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Carolyn, Abby and Don--and Christian at the register! Abby went above and beyond because--wouldn't you know it--you gather any group of more than ten young children, and one of them is sure to pee his pants or throw up. In this case, we had barfing (this happened before I read the book, so don't blame Mia), and Abby valiantly took care of it because the show must go on.

And on it went. All the kids managed to follow and pay attention. We did some impromptu polling as we read. The results:

100% liked cupcakes
10% liked vegetables
0% knew what a rutabaga was

Thanks again for being a great audience and for your support of the book(s). I say books because two women showed up to buy my novels--for them the cupcake reading was pure frosting, so to speak. As a parting shot, I leave you with our book's placement. Uh huh, right next to Barack Obama's Of Thee I Sing. The Leader of the Free World and your neighborhood authors and illustrators!

Hangin' with the President