The Winner's Crime Book Tour

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski was released on March 3 and Harvard Book Store scheduled a free discussion and book signing with Marie and Kristin Cashore (author of one of my favorite YA fantasy series: The Graceling Realm).

Unfortunately, Marie's flight was cancelled and she was unable to attend the event. But the show must go on!

Harvard Book Store is absolutely adorable! It has an old library feel to it and I was immediately drawn toward the shelves. Before the event began, my sister and I were able to browse a bit, and I got to check something off of my bookish bucket list! I got to climb a book ladder like Belle, I didn't get to ride it like her because the ladders are for staff use only and I didn't realize that until I saw a sign (oops), but it was still a glorious moment.

Once Kristin was introduced, she apologized for Marie and let us know that she would do her best flying solo. The staff let us know that Marie would be signing and personalizing book plates since she wasn't able to be here and sign physical books.

Kristin was incredibly sweet and sincere. In order to help support the release of Marie's book, Kristin selected a scene to read - it was a powerful scene and I can't wait to read the book through and encounter that scene again. Next she read a parallel scene from her own book Fire. Both scenes were father-daughter scenes. Kristin explained that books have many types of relationships in them and typically the romantic relationships get the most attention, but she wanted to emphasize the importance of other types of relationships.

Next, Kristin talked about her writing process - which is honestly one of the coolest things I think I've ever learned about. Kristin writes her book by hand! She brought one of her notebooks with her and it was remarkable to watch her flip through the pages, to see her small handwriting, to see lots of scratch marks, sections scribbled out and even complete pages crossed out, and to see her notes in the margins to herself. It literally took my breath away. She also talked about how writing is about getting it wrong over and over until you get it right - it was inspiring. She explained that after she writes a good chunk, she uses dictation software to transfer the books to a digital file. She also said she does all of her editing my hand. It just blows my mind to think that her books are such a labor of love. 

Then she opened the floor for questions and I learned some more fun and interesting things. Here are a few of the things that really stuck out to me

1. Kristin and Marie are friends. The Winner's Crime is dedicated to Kristin (how sweet is that?!).
2. Bitterblue took Kristin three years to write and she really doesn't like ciphors.
3. Kristin is currently working on three things (a contemporary YA, a difficult to describe crossover type book, and a fantasy)

After the Q&A, Kristin signed books and chit chatted a bit. She was humble, sweet and down to earth. I am so happy that I finally got to meet and and had my books signed, The Graceling Realm series is one that got me back into reading and I will be eternally grateful to Kristin for that.

My sister bought me a paperback copy of The Winner's Curse (I previously purchased the e-book) and she purchased all three of Kristin's books to have her own signed set. After the signing, we went downstairs to the used book section, there are some really interesting selections. I was able to find a used copy of Daughter of Smoke and Bone, so I picked that up. I decided that since my sister surprised me with The Winner's Crime that I would like to wait for The Winner's Curse to be released in paperback so that my set will match.

All in all, it was a fun night. I hope that I will be able to attend another one of Marie's events in the future to meet her. Kristin seems to have a relationship with Harvard Book Store, so hopefully when her new books are released, I will be able to meet her again.