Brits, Book Signings, and Mall of America
How is it only Wednesday? SIGHHHHH. So tired of this week. And every other day that ends in WORK. 
So I didn’t watch the VMAs because I only get like three channels now, but I hear Britney was in good form. I’m really glad. And you can just see a different person in the pics of her lately, you know? Her eyes aren’t all glazed over. Like mine do when I eat one too many packages of M&Ms. . .
Okay, seriously, I bought this GIANT sized bag of Halloween packs of M&Ms. I’m taking them to a conference next week for a HUGE book signing. And when my books don’t draw anyone, I will start beaning people with candy. No just kidding. I’ll pass them out. Anyway…so I have like a million packs of M&Ms, right? Um, no. Because in a matter of days I have managed to go all Harry Potter on them and make them disappear. Fitting into your pants is so overrated anyway.
Speaking of the conference, if you are going to be ANYWHERE near Minneapolis, MN, on Saturday September 20th, you need to get to the Mall of America. We can shop together. No, I mean, you can come to the HUGE Christian fiction author book signing. Here’s the skinny:
ACFW booksigning
127 Christian novelists
Location: Best Buy and Sears Rotundas and connecting hallway, Mall of America, Bloomington, MN
When: Saturday, September 20, 2008
1-3 p.m.
Participating Authors:
Tamera Alexander
Jennifer AlLee
Jenny B. Jones, who can’t fit into her pants now thanks to this signing
A.K. Arenz
Diane Ashley
Karen Ball
Janet Lee Barton
James Scott Bell
Joseph Bentz
Jenny B. Jones, who can’t wait to get away from her chronically meowing cat.
Terri Blackstock
Robin Caroll
Patricia PacJac Carroll
Jeanie Smith Cash
Eleanor Clark
Debra Clopton
Gloria Clover
Brandilyn Collins
Mary Connealy
Lyn Cote
Kathryn Cushman
Jenny B. Jones, who should’ve bought candy she didn’t like, except that thing doesn’t exist.
Margaret Daley
KM Daughters
Susan Page Davis
Mary Davis
Janet Dean
Megan DiMaria
Brandt Dodson
Lena Nelson Dooley
Cecelia Dowdy
Sharon Dunn
Wanda Dyson
Lynette Eason
Meredith Efken
Jenny B. Jones who doesn’t know how she’s supposed to sign books with all the ADD distractions of the Mall of America.
Leanna Ellis
Sharon Ewell Foster
Miralee Ferrell
Tina Ann Forkner
Darlene Franklin
Jonathan Friesen
Rhonda Gibson
Terri Gillespie
Debby Giusti
Jenny B. Jones, who wonders if Sears is still just Sears at the most famous mall in the world.
Beth Goddard
Cathy Gohlke
Rene Gutteridge
Cathy Marie Hake
Kelly Eileen Hake
Karen Harter
Rachel Hauck
Roxanne Henke
Cynthia Hickey
Patti Hill
Sharon Hinck
Joan Hochstetler
Steven Hunt
Angela Hunt
Denise Hunter
Annette Irby
Jennifer Johnson
Jenny B. Jones, who thinks the peanuts in M&Ms are super good for you. Especially in mass quantities.
Golden Keyes Parsons
Deb Kinnard
Jenny B. Jones, who will not have any M&Ms left by tomorrow unless there is an intervention.
Julie Klassen
Kathleen Kovach
Harry Kraus
Patti Lacy
Maureen Lang
Jeanne Marie Leach
Tosca Lee
Jenny B. Jones, who wishes she couldn’t get enough of something else…like tap water and apples.
Julie Lessman
Michelle Levigne
Sherri L. Lewis
Elizabeth Ludwig
Christine Lynxwiler
Richard L. Mabry
Sharlene MacLaren
Gail Martin
Debby Mayne
Vickie McDonough
Andrew McGuire
Susan Meissner
Becky Melby
Dana Mentink
Amber Miller
Jenny B. JOnes, who will never buy candy again as long as she lives. Or until next week.
Judith Miller
Sara Mills
Siri Mitchell
Nancy Moser
Janelle Mowery
Elizabeth Musser
Mark Mynheir
Jill Nelson
Mae Nunn
Jenny B. Jones, who hopes there is a bathroom near her table at the signing because she tends to pee more than the average human being.
John Olson
Donita K. Paul
Trish Perry
Marta Perry
Allie Pleiter
Cara Putman
Deborah Raney
Sandra Robbins
Paul Robertson
John Robinson
Jenny B. Jones, who just needs a little understanding for her obsessive food issues.
Martha Rogers
Cynthia Ruchti
Gail Sattler
Kim Vogel Sawyer
Jenny B. Jones, who hopes there’s at least a Fruilatti place near when she’s watching everyone else sign books.
Shelley Shephard Gray
Virginia Smith
Lynette Sowell
Jenny B. Jones, who deserves a medal for leaving at least a few in the bag
Candice Speare
Kathryn Springer
Denice Stewart
Sarah Anne Sumpolec, who also writes nifty YA!
Michelle Sutton, who ALSO writes nifty YA!!
Camy Tang
Donn Taylor
Janice Thompson
Cindy Thomson
Jenny B. Jones, who’s running out of things to say here, but some sugar would probably recharge my brain.
Missy Tippens
Carrie Turansky
ML Tyndall
Amy Wallace, who probably eats nice things like fruit and celery
Susan May Warren
Linda Wichman
Beth Wiseman
Cheryl Wyatt
Kathleen Y’Barbo
YEAH. So big book signing. I’ve actually um…never done one. I spoke at a church last Christmas and signed some after that, but it wasn’t some formal thing. I’m just not your book signing type of girl, much to the frustration and stress of those near and dear. If I went by the name of JK Rowling or Meg Cabot, I would be a book signing fool. I would sign books until my hand rotted off. But I’m not. So I probably need to bring stuff to the signing to do. Unless one of YOU shows up. Then we can go shop and go get a cinnamon pretzel! And ride the roller coaster in Mall of America! Actually, I don’t do roller coasters since I don’t like to puke on people, but if you came to the MOA, I totally would!
So while I’m not excited about a book signing (though it’s a swell idea for everyone else and a lot of work has gone into it), I am totally psyched for the mall. I can’t wait to blog about it!
So talking about the Clearblue commercial had others reminding me of other commercials. And Julia, I totally agree–I really like the Credit Report commericals–like the one where the guy is dressed like a pirate in a themed restaurant. Here’s another series of faves…
Finally, once again I need your help naming a character. Did you see the rocker nurse on American Idol? Imagine her. In high school. A total tough girl, yet she is unintentionally funny. Big, pink spiky hair. I need a cool, but not-so-feminine name for her. The one I originally picked is too close to another character’s name. And the one I picked to replace it RHYMES with the stinkin’ MAIN CHARACTER’S name. Sheesh. Anyway, here are the choices so far…lemme know what you think.
Roxi
Trixie
Zelda
Trudi
Midge
Have a fabulous Wednesday. And buy your plane tickets now to Minneapolis! Me and my empty candy dish will be looking for you!
JEN
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22 Comments so far
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Jennifer! I’m so proud of you. I still wish you would have a signing here in old NWA. You underestimate yourself (or the fact that others would LOVE to go to a book signing with you). Wish I could jump on a plane and visit you there. I agree they better put you near a restroom–that could be a disaster. I share your addiction to M & M’s. Warren bought me a FIVE POUND box at Christmas. Who on earth has the self control to not pig out when there is a five pound box in the house?!
I like Roxi. Trixie sounds like a cartoon character. Zelda is a Nintendo game. Trudi sounds like a ’50′s housewife. Midge, a maid. I like Zeda or Zada–which are similar to Zelda. One day I’ll have a name in one of your books that I came up with. I’m so excited for you. You are going to have such a blast at the book signing!!!
I like Roxi, too, but that’s because it’s what I named the main character of MY story!! Ha ha.
M&Ms with peanuts (not peanut butter, though) are soo worth not fitting into your skinny jeans…or any jeans for that matter.
As for the book signing, I agree with Rhonda – you’re underestimating yourself (and your amazing books…and cool autograph…and lovely hair…). I mean you even have international fans! Hello?!
I like the name Roxi too but I was actually thinking it would be cool if she was called “Matt” or “Mattie”, short for Matilda. Not so feminine. Zelda reminds me too much of the aunt in Sabrina, the Teenage Witch – my fave show way back when.
Happy Wednesday!
As one of the near and dear frustrated ones….you’re EVERY BIT AS GOOD (BETTER) THAN MEG CABOT.
Big, laborsome, heavy sigh.
Jenny,
I will pray that God will put a peace around you when you are signing. How long does it last? Afterwards you should be able to get a dessert (although my dictionary says that dessert is a sweet food, Fruit, or . . . cheese. Cheese?) other than M&Ms. Like Starbucks or the Cheesecake Factory – CHEESEcake Factory! Hey! My dictionary was right!
Brynhildur
Mall of America?! Is it your first time? As someone who tries really hard not to be too materialistic, I have to say that the Mall is still completely awesome! You’ll have fun no matter who ends up coming to the book signing.
That being said, I’m sure plenty of fans will come to your table. I totally wish I could be there (even if you don’t have M&Ms). Instead, I’ll be in boring old IN working on (or pretending to work on) homework. But I’ll be waiting to hear about it.
As far as the list of name ideas goes, I like Roxi the best. Another one that came to mind was Zena… it sounds like Zelda without the video game reference attached.
When I first saw your name (and Tamara Alexander’s, and Colleen Coble’s, and Sharon Hinck’s…) on the list of authors attending the booksigning — I screamed. Loudly. And then thanked God and prayed for two thousand extra dollars so I can fly to the Mall of America and see ya’ll!
So far, the plane ticket hasn’t appeared on my doorstep. But I’ve been saving…
Regardless of whether or not I make it there (and that would be so amazing — after I screamed for twenty minutes straight we could trek off to Starbucks!), I’ll be praying for you and the other authors.
Unfortuately, I can’t say anything for the M&Ms. Maybe trade out the candy with frappachinos and Larabars? Since with the milk and fruit, there has to be some nutrition in there somewhere… Never mind.
I like Trudi for your character (Roxi’s been used before for rocker gals). Yeah, Zelda reminds me of that witch, and Trixie sounds like Tinkerbell’s friend.
Blessings!
Sears is still just Sears, even in the Mall of America.
Jenny,
I forgot to mention the names!!!!
I don’t like any of them, but Midge was the best. But I think Ryan would be a good name, because it is a boy or a girls name, and I think it looks good on your character.
Could you maybe describe her a little more though???
Bryn
Oh! And “Hi!” Gracie!!!!!!!
Thanks, Rhonda.
Five lbs. of M&Ms? Does the man have no mercy?
Hey, CJ! This isn’t a main character, so maybe they can share a name. : )
Sarah, Matilda is such a cool name. (isn’t that ANOTHER aunt on Sabrina?) And I didn’t mean to inspire pity, ladies! Thanks for all the confidence boosts. I will survive! Oh, yes, I….! (etc, etc)
Erin…I can hear your sigh from here.
Bryn, YUM! CHeesecake Factory. Amazing stuff. And thanks for the prayer.
Amy, yes, it’s my first time to MN AND Mall of America. I keep looking at my conference schedule and trying to see what classes I can miss to spend more time at MOA. And Zena is a cute name too.
Gracie, Roxi is pretty common for rocker/edgier types, eh? That’s my thought too, but I’m still leaning that way. The original name was Duffy. Isn’t that cute and modern-rocker? But i can’t use it. No D names.
Denise, thanks for dashing my hopes.
K–wish I could go to your book signing. I am so very PROUD of you my sweet little girlfriend. You are AWESOME!!! I like Roxi–Roxanne turned rocker. I do like Zada (But that is my bff from high school Mom…and she is not a rebel nor a rocker.)Bryan’s votes is for Roxanne, too!!!
Of course we are 80′s music lovers…Like almost all the rebels and ravers before them, the first of the punk and headbangers have gone gently … of The Police, who sang Roxanne.
What an honor! I am excited for you! What great company you will have…I am sure that they, too, will want to shop with you!
About the names…not that my opinion counts, but you asked…
Roxi reminds me of what you are trying to do–name a rocker chick…
Trixie was my dog, Pomeranian? Bless her heart…she is gone now…:(
Zelda–video game or cartoon?
Trudi–reminds me of Tutti Frutti
Midge–Like Madge, the Palmolive woman???
What about Lita? (that is my husband’s contribution) or how about Tori, Janis, Harley (I have a student (girl) by that name this year), or Lyla? But I LOVE Izzy (short for Isabelle)! (Fried Green Tomatoes, right?) What a SUPER name!!!
I vote for Roxi. And *so* wish I could be at the Mall of America. Not that I could eat cinnamon pretzels with my allergies to anything that tastes remotely good.
Oh well, one day I shall meet you face to face. Or I could just stalk your facebook instead.
Love,
Debbie
PS: I’m soooooooo happy you got your smiley face in the post.
Ok, first things first.. I’d SO be at the mall of america, if I could! But I cant
Second, say hi to rene gutteridge..she’s awesome as you.
Third, I LOVE THAT FIRST AD!! My mom and I laugh so hard over it.. the expression on that baby’s face reminds us of someone we know… so much!
Fourth, I totally thing Midge.
TATA!
How about Dawayna, remind me and i’ll pronounce it for you….Ansley, Proxis, Twilly, Salle, Daisisous, oh i’m done, and i JUST figured out what i’m getting you for your birthday!!!!! YES!
Fine, don’t come anywhere near me, thats OK. Stay in Minneapolis. Don’t sign my books. I won’t be hurt at all. Not one bit. Nope.
Well, aside from me not being able to drive a couple states to get a book signed, I LOOOOVE Sarah Anne Sumpolec. She totally rocks, so please don’t feed her anything poisonous.
I think Midge is the answer! Midge, Midge, MIDGE!
And, WHENS YOUR BDAY?!?!
How about Jordan? (as in The Great Gatsby) I like Zelda a lot. My tomboy daughter’s nickname is Zuzu, and I associate the name with her now rather than It’s a Wonderful Life (which I happened to be watching when I was pregnant with her the first time I felt her kick).
I’d love to be close enough to be at this book signing. So many of Authors I love will be there. Hand over the M & Ms – you’ve had enough. I cannot even enjoy passing out candy to children as none come this far out.
I may make something up special for my daughter’s two step kids.
God Bless.
RJ, Zada really is a great name, isn’t it? Thanks for the other suggestions. You sure know you’re rocker chicks.
Paula, Izzy is PERFECT. I mean absolutely perfect. And if it weren’t for the fact that the main character’s name is Isabella, I would totally use that. Drat. And I was thinking about Madge the Palmolive woman this week. “You’re soaking in it…”
Debbie, I can at least do the basic smiley now! Thanks!
Bethany, I had just settled on Midge, when I remembered a friend of this character is named Budge. I cannot get this stuff right!
Salle, if I hadn’t named a car Sally Ann in the last series, I would use Sally. It’s spot-on too. All Sally/Salle’s are rebels! (And their dogs…)
Julia, I passed on your compliments to Sarah Anne Sumpolec. I think you made her day.
Shauna, it’s so crazy, but I was JUST thinking of ZuZu this week. I have some friends who named their daughter ZuZu from IAWL. I think it’s sooo cute.
Jane, is there REALLY such a thing as too many M&Ms? (The elastic waistband pants I’ve got on would probably say yes…)
I just found your site and am loving it. I teach nearly 100 8th-graders in Georgia…. They’ve just rewarded me with a deep stack of memoirs to grade. My next two weekends are definitely tied up…
I think Dylan would be a good name. And if I ever get to your level of success, I may have to borrow it back.
Roban
Jenny,
You didn’t eat ALL the M & Ms because I gobbled a couple handfuls at least.
LOL!
Great meeting you.
Your post is hilarious.
Hugs,
Cheryl