Philippa Gregory

I went to the Texas Book fest in October to see my favorite author speak and sign her new book, The Lady of the Rivers. I read The Other Bolyen Girl when I was 15 and being a big fan of History since I could read, this book was beyond anything I had ever read! Since then I've bought and read all her books and read many more then once.

So I had a cool experience, not something that would be a huge deal to many, but to me it was awesome. Had anything been even a minute different it probably wouldn't have happened.

My Mom decided to go with me, and was a little late picking me up, but I didn't mind, I was super relaxed and didn't want to get stressed about going out like I can do at times. So we get on the road and show up right about an hour before she was supposed to speak at the Capital. We enter the building go through security and look around for the room, then I remember that I needed to buy the book at the fest in order to get it signed, so I decided to go buy it first. So we went back outside and down to buy the book. We start to walk back to the building, when I see Philipa Gregory exit the Authors tent. Now naturally I'm excited, but I don't want to waste her time since I was sure she was on a tight schedule, so I just think "Wow, cool!" Then we enter the building again, go through security again, then I decide to stop in the information room and ask for the exact room and location. We're told to take the elevator.

So we're waiting for the elevator, when I feel someone stand next to me. I look and, hey there! Its my favorite author! It's really quiet and I'm thinking, ok seriously I need to say something, it can't hurt. So I strum up some small talk. I introduce myself and tell her I'm looking forward to hearing her speak. She is very nice to me and chats for a second before her assitant pulls her away. When my Mom and I get upstairs to the room I'm feeling pretty good. My Mom tells me she's proud/excited that I took a chance and said something. (I'm always paranoid about coming accross as a "crazed fan") We're early but decided to just wait by the door, a few minutes later a crowd of people come and line up behind us. They are also big fans and we all start chatting about the books.

Then her assistant comes out of the room and in her classy british accent asks me "Could I ask a huge favor? I thought they would be selling books up here, and I forgot to bring a copy of her new book with me. I see you have it, would you mind if I borrow it for her to read during her talk?" Uh...yeah! I give it to her no problem, and when she left my Mom seriously wanted me to go crazy but I kept it cool. When she arrived after we were all seated we saw her assistant point at me and then the book, and while being announced she saw her smelling my book LOL I guess authors also share a love for "new book smell."


The reading was amazing! We were front row of corse, and were in awe of just how intellegent and passionate this woman is. She has a great love for history, and has uncovered facts that have been lost for centries! She is very aware of how women have struggled and still struggle with being in what is very often a mans world. The way she read her book...(well MY book) lol was so great to hear, its the way it was meant to be read! After there were some questions from very stupid people, I'm sorry! Rude, but true! She left and I realized my book was still up there, so I hurried and grabbed it then headed down to the tent. The line wasn't so bad, probably since there are about 50 other authors in attendence just at that time alone. When I came around her assistant came to me and asked if I got the book and appoligized for forgetting it but had another copy just in case.


When it was my turn the assistant told Mrs.Gregory that I was the one who lended my book, to which she commented "So I was hoping you would just join me for the rest of my tour! Help me out" I was like "Yeaahh! Sure! I'd love too!" So we had a little laugh and then I complimented her speech, we shook hands and I was out. This was THE type of thing I geek out about, it will definetly be an experience I won't forget. 10 years of admiring her work paid off. And yes, I will be highlighting the parts she read.