Nikki Kelly joins the Fierce Reads Tour, to promote the release of LAILAH—the first book in The Styclar Saga!
I have long dreamt of
the moment I would see a story I had written, published and in a bookstore. Not
only did that moment actually happen, but also I had the privilege of touring
with the loveliest ladies, road tripping the U.S of A, which has long been on
my bucket list! ALL THE FEELS and ALL THE THANK YOUS to my adopted American
family, for making this lil’ English girl’s dreams come true!
Here’s a snap shot of
my ‘on the road’ diary for the Fierce Reads Tour, where I joined Marissa Meyer,
Gennifer Albin and Jessica Brody to talk all things YA!
October 7th
London, England
Fly from London
Heathrow to Texas!
After one last squeeze from my hubby, I began my journey from London Heathrow
to Texas!
October 8th
Irving, TX
The
Irving Public Library
My first
meeting with the Fierce Reads authors—my fabulous tour buddies… yes, I had to
control the desire to fan girl!
The Fierce Reads Tour kicked off at The Irving Public Library, and what an
event it was! I got to meet sooooooo many amazing YA book lovers, and some of
my favorite bloggers turned out for Nikki Cuddles!
Before I knew it we were in the air and on our way to St Louis, MO!
October 9th
St. Louis, MO
Left
Bank Books
After a very comedic panel, I was able to meet and Amber, an aspiring writer
who I speak to daily on Twitter! She came along with her hubby, and brought me
many baked Lailah goods! (Oh and some Lucky Charm cereal without the boring
wholegrain bits!)
Then we went onto dinner, where we had Italian food, followed by Amber’s Lailah
biscuits… Yum!
October 10th
Arlington Heights, IL
Arlington
Heights Memorial Library
Here at Arlington Heights Library, I met some amazing new people, including my
‘Potterhead’ who chose to call me ‘Nanny McPhee’… If that catches on there will
be many eye slants… JustSayin!
Jessica Brody took me for ‘proper pizza’ and seems Gino’s East knew I was
coming…
October 11th
Portland, OR
Powell’s
Books
This was our first bookstore event; it was an amazing moment to see LAILAH on
the shelves!
And apparently my waffling (which means ‘much chatter’ here in England, though
I learned the hard way that it’s actually a breakfast food in the U.S!) was
caught on camera…
Link to YouTube Vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWqsBY4_udQ
Caption:
Very early morning Marissa Meyer cuddles on route from Portland to Seattle!
October 12th
Seattle, WA
Geek
Girl Con
Nearly ran for the door when the Fierce Reads panel filled the room, but what
an experience! Plus, Lish McBride was moderating the event, which made it even
more special! She has promised to try and get my ‘Were-Pugs’ into her next
novel… I even got to meet Xena herself… not to mention all the Doctor Who fans!
After the event I went to dinner with Marissa Meyer, her lovely hubby and Mary
Van Aiken, and we stopped at Barnes and Noble only to find our books right at
the front of the store!
October 13th
San Francisco
Linden
Tree
The most beautiful bookshop in the world! This was a very special event, with a
real family and friends feel! Sitting with the audience at eye level, and
chatting for the first time without a microphone, I kinda felt like we were
simply having a cuppa and a natter with old friends! Genissa a Styclar Street
Team Founder was there to meet me, and it was wonderful to be able to give her
some real Nikki squishes!
October 14th
New York, NY
Barnes
& Noble
Sooooo many things happened at the Barnes and Noble event in Tribeca! First, we
had a 3am start, a 6hour flight, and a 10min bathroom break to change (I had to
get into my spanx, in a tiny toilet… no laughing matter!). Upon arrival, our
Macmillan family greeted us! I met my super amazing Editor, Liz Szabla in
person for the first time! Jean Feiwel was all smiles as she too, received a
Nikki cuddle! And the amazing Ksenia, Molly, and Liz, were ready and waiting to
get their squishes! Moments into the shop, and Lailah herself ran over to say
hey! Lailah is actually the cover model whose real name is Julia and she was at
the event with her Dad (you might recognize his grabby hands from the book cover!).
My cousin and his girlfriend, who I haven’t seen for 5years and live in the U.S
made a surprise appearance! And, if that wasn’t enough, Pili, founding member
of the Styclar Street Team had flown in from Spain, accompanied by Amber from
the Book Bratz, another member of my Army Of Angels!
October 15th
New York, NYC
Breakfast
and lunch meetings! Here I am in a real American Diner, enjoying pancakes with
Liz, Anna and Lauren from F&F/ Fierce Reads!
October 16th
New York, NYC
Meetings with
F&F team!
NY adventure
with Spanish blogger Pili for a bimble around Central Park!
October 17th
New York, NYC
Flight from JFK back
to LHR
Caption: You know
you’re back home when he’s there to greet you!
I left
London in a pair of skinny jeans, and at the airport I had tea and toast…
One of the
things I was most looking forward to about the tour was the American candy, and
the fast food! And the land of the free didn't disappoint… here’s a look at
some of the scrummy foods I devoured on this incredible road trip!
But my
FAVOURITE food, hands down, was the Cheesecake factory Snickers cheesecake…
Thank you to Marissa Myer for taking me for this awesome, delicious treat!
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