It was my first year at Wonder-Con, and the folks from Comic-Con put on another amazing con.  (Notice how stealthily I worked the word “con” in there 3x?)  Lauren Billings (aka “Lo”) organized the YA panel, which was fantastic even with me on it!  The adorable Andrea Cremer (The Nightshade Series) moderated and wrangled Ransom Riggs (MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN), Veronica Rossi (UNDER THE NEVER SKY), Lissa Price (STARTERS), Ann Aguirre (ENCLAVE), Gretchen McNeil (POSSESS & TEN) & me.

Lissa & Veronica’s book trailers premiered at the panel, and Grammy nominated and CMT Award-winning director, Roman White, who directed Veronica’s trailer (as well as music videos for Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Bieber & Taylor Swift) was in the audience.

Veronica Rossi, Andrea Cremer, Ransom Riggs, Lissa Price, Anne Aguirre & Me

AND after being in the same place at the same time as the insanely talented horror writer & graphic novelist, Joe Hill (HEART-SHAPED BOX, THORNS, LOCKE & KEY), for the THIRD time . . . I finally got to meet him. (For those of you who know me as the-chick-who-stalks-Joe-Hill-on-twitter, this was a huge deal!)

Here’s the proof of life:

with Joe Hill

“Helping” Joe Sign My Book

I also got to spend some time with the dynamic duo, Lex Hrabe & Thomas Voorhies, aka Lex Thomas, the authors of the upcoming YA thriller QUARENTEEN (Book 1 in The Loners Series).  QUARENTEEN isn’t out until July, but let’s just say that if BATTLE ROYALE & the film “Warriors” had a lovechild, it would be QUARENTEEN.  Please note before scrolling down: I am NOT the shortest woman alive. Lex & Tom are giants!

Thomas Voorhies, Me & Lex Hrabe

My signing partner at the Mysterious Galaxy booth was Ransom Riggs. Ransom’s novel MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN combines three of my favorite things: photography, fantasy & peculiar children.  MISS PEREGRINE is really one-of-a-kind (or two-of-a-kind if you count the sequel) & one-of-a-kind director, Tim Burton, is rumored to be directing the film.