Last night I was the featured author at the Clayton Books monthly book club, in Clayton, California. The bookstore is literally two doors down from my dentist, so it's sort of a miracle I agreed to go anywhere near it without an armed guard; perhaps my phobia is getting better. Or maybe I was just really excited to have been asked. Whatever the reason for my attendance, it was agreed upon several months ago. When I was invited, I asked what was expected of me. The bookstore owner said, jokingly, that I should bring cupcakes.

More fool he.

At three, I convinced a co-worker to drive me to the Cups and Cakes Bakery, which I am rapidly coming to believe is the best cupcake bakery (cupcakery?) in the universe. I had placed an order for three dozen cupcakes, which were waiting for me in their pretty pink boxes, ready to go off and be consumed. In total, there were a dozen grasshopper cupcakes (dark chocolate cake with peppermint frosting—think a cakey, delicious version of the Thin Mint), a dozen pretty pretty princess cupcakes (strawberry cake with strawberry buttercream frosting and edible silver pearls), and a variety pack containing two deep dark chocolate, two vanilla (which are possibly the Ur-Vanilla cupcakes, intended to be honored in song and in story), two red velvet, two cloud nine (angel food cake with seven-minute frosting), two root beer float, and two banana with salted caramel frosting. Because when I bring cupcakes to my own party, I don't screw around.

Getting into the BART system, during a major storm, while carrying three dozen cupcakes: not the easiest thing I have ever done. But funny. Especially as people tried to wheedle me into giving them cupcakes (and then inevitably said "No, no, I was just kidding" and looked alarmed when I shrugged and said "Yeah, sure"). My mother picked me up on the Walnut Creek side, where we placed the cupcakes reverently in her backseat and proceeded to the normal Wednesday errands, including the obligate stop at the comic book store. Flying Colors, how I adore you.

After a stop at the house to brush the cat, change my clothes, brush the cat, comb my hair, brush the cat, pack a bag for the evening, and brush the cat, we were off to dinner (at Applebee's) and then the bookstore. We arrived around seven, and walked in, toting cupcakes. They had my picture up in several places. Feeling thus boldly recognizable, I approached the woman at the counter.

"Where should I put these?"

She looked at me blankly. I began to worry that they had some other fluffy blonde urban fantasy author coming, and I was in the wrong place.

"I think I'm tonight's author?"

"Oh!" She beamed. "I didn't expect you to bring snacks!"

People never take me seriously.

Mom and I wandered around the bookstore looking at things while we waited for the event to begin. Eventually, people began to trickle in, including Joel, the owner of the store, and X., my housemate (who belongs to the book club). Only one other member of the actual book club showed up, thanks to the UNENDING RAIN: the rest of the audience consisted of my friend Shawn, his wife, Elsa (who braved the cold with a cold to attend), Andy from the comic book store, and my mother. Still, we sat and talked for two hours, mostly about Toby, and everybody ate cupcakes with great alacrity, so I'm calling it a win. Also, I still have cupcakes.

Yum.

I am pleased and delighted to announce that I will be the Guest of Honor at GaFilk 13 (dun dun DUUUUNNNN) in Atlanta, Georgia. The convention will be held the weekend of January 7th to 9th, 2011, and includes the following exciting guest selection:

Guest of Honor, Seanan McGuire
Toastmaster, Matt Leger
Interfilk Guest, Howard Scrimgeour

This is Georgia's very own filk convention, and I've never been before, so I am like, super excited. It's also going to be the first convention I've attended in Georgia since DragonCon like, ten years ago, and I'm really looking forward to the chance to spend more time in a kick-ass state. Hope to see you there!