First!

do these comments work?

Oh, ok! Now I have to go get dressed and go to work!!

yay! new york is fun, especially with the crowd of comfortableness that you're bringing along.. and judy blume!! oh. my. gawd. i think i'd be a babbling idiot about how i worshipped her when i was 8 or something.

Looks like these ones do. If I could come to New York with you I would to share the love even further...but I can't...boo hoo!

There should deinitely be pie...or cheesecake!

I just want to say that I am a dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker and I have never called "pizza" anything but "pizza." I have never even heard it called "pie." So you can put your concerns to rest on that score.

Also, speaking as one who has been through similar events - however nervous you are beforehand, you are going to have a lot of fun.

Oh, I wish I could go! I'm sitting here thinking who do I know who's a librarian or bookseller or anything who could get me in? I'll be racking my brain...

you.will.be.fine. Take your worst fears and fantasys and put them away. Start practicing your autograph (black fine point sharpie for the books, regular black sharpie for the 8 x 10 glossies)because you WILL be signing a whole bunch of books!
yay for laurie!

last request, need cat photos soon......

I know I just said this the other day, but, again I'M SO PROUD OF YOU! This is awesome. And you have amazing friends, going to New York with you and all, even when you've practically promised to bring the whole display down on the Chicken Soup guy.

Hey there, just be excited and happy. Seeing your picture made me remember who you remind me of; Valerie Bertinelli. I have always thought she was one of THE prettiest young ladies on TV. SO THERE, go with confidence!!!

Another New Yorker (albeit not native)--yes they call it pizza but also pizza pie or just plain pie, as in "I would like two pizzas, one plain pie and one pepperoni pie." Guess it depends on the borough. Brooklyn and Staten Island, definitely pie. One thing I know, ask for it with your charming accent and the pizza man will go crazy for you.

But I digress, yipeeeeeeee! You are coming to THE CITY!!!!! You will have a blast, NY is so exiting.

PS--Do not worry about the humidity--having lived in Puerto Rico and Oregon most of my 57 years I find NY on the dry side. (But then you live in dry, dry California...)

It's going to be fantabulous! Just think of it all as fodder for your follow-up book! The publishing/pie possibilities are endless!

And Judith, do not forget my spanx issue hahahahahaha. Are people in NYC very skinny? I keep thinking it will be like sex & the city and I will be a beverly hillbilly. That is my 2nd worst nightmare worry, after the booth on Jack's head thing.

I wouldn't worry about the humidity in NYC in early June. It's still spring-like at that time of year. Perhaps you should check with Al Gore first, though. You know, with all the global warming stuff.

I will be there with bells on!! (That is such a stupid saying....so why did I use it?? Because I am an OLD person) I would love to show you the underground shopping tunnels beneath Rockefeller Center. They are sooo cool!! They're where my then future husband and I used to go to make out during our lunch hour. I promise I won't try to make out with you there. Okay??

Can you tell that I just has a big cup of coffee?

Yay Laurie!
So Excited and so Proud!
Have fun, and I look forward to the full report.

CAP pre-book book tour!!!

I have lived in NY all my life and pizza is pizza or a slice (as in lets grab a slice before the movie). Pie is an entire pizza, 6 or 8 sliced depending on the size of the pie. Unless you want a whole lotta pizza I would order by the slice.

Of course there is no pineapple or kiwi or other freaky bits of fruit used as toppings, no BBQ sauce no Thai peanut sauce. NY is soooo not "california pizza kitchen". We believe in fatty meats like pepperoni or sausage with your basic tomato sauce and mozzerella. Thin crust all the way!

And pie is pie! (and there is always room for pie)

Will there be actual copies of your book? Will you bring autographed head shots of the cats? Will your parents bring the camper?

and remember, if you can make it here you can make it anywhere!

As a seriously flabby NYC editor, I can assure you that although New York is full of irritatingly skinny and beautiful people, behind them are all the normal-sized people. BEA is a madhouse, but lots of fun--and perhaps your editor has told you that the best part is: FREE BOOKS! Everyone is giving away books and galleys and tchotchkes and tote bags to hold them all in.

I recommend throwing a pair of flip-flops in your bag for when your no-doubt gorgeous and expensive shoes make you want to cut your feet off. And enjoy the pie :).

Oh, dear god! Judy Blume is going to be there? Awesome.

I bet she would probably just pat you on the head and call you "honey" or something just to comfort you if you're nervous. At least that's what I imagine her doing...how bad could it be hanging out with the lady who wrote about boob exercises and periods? C'mon now!

I think you should wear whatever you're comfortable in. How 'bout a cute pair of khakis or capris (depending on the forecast) and an adorable, multi-purpose t-shirt or blouse-y thing in a flattering shade? Simple, easy, and possibly re-wearable at White Guys in Ties, Inc. Now, the shoes...make 'em as fabulous as possible. Fabulous shoes go with everything!

I wish I could get to New York then. Let us know if it's open to the public!

It doesn't appear to be open to the public, but I would so stand outside and stalk you anyway. "Are you there, God? It's me Kim. Could you open this up to the public?" I heart Judy Blume. Tee Hee.

New York City!?! With your family and friends, too. What a blast! Hurray for you!! And THE JUDY BLUME?!?! When I was in elementary school, we had to write an essay about what famous person we wanted to be and I wrote my paper about her!

And my personal opinion, screw the spanx. Just smile and talk and people will be mesmerized and no one will notice whatever belly you've got.

Yay, Laurie! You're in the big time now. Congrats.

I'll jump on the pizza wagon here...mmmm pizza...uh, what was I saying?

Oh yeah. I grew up in NY--Queens, to be exact--and we never called it "pie." A whole pizza, or a slice. And let me tell you, I've moved around a bit, but there is nothing like NYC pizza. It's the best in the entire universe. I miss it.

Have a great time, you author you!

You go show 'em what we Southern Ladies are all about! Hoorah for the Crackers! Can I get an Amen!

Isn't pair.com wonderful? I use them too.
Congrats on the Book Expo! OMG, you're a "real" author!
Black slacks work for almost anything, and it's most likely to be air-conditioned. You'll be just perfect in whatever you wear.

Yay! I will be at that convention with the publisher I work for and will drop by and say Hi! You will do great. Fun and friendly authors sell more books than uptight and mean ones do. :0)

Laurie!
I have FINALLY started my garden/bird/oldwidowlady blog due to your inspiring me and such. Lookie........ I have given you a plug!!!!!!

ps...Anyone else who wants to drop a note there about "How I "MET" Crazy Aunt Purl is waaaayyyyy welcome. We touch greatness on the innernets..
http://jillieofthevalley.vox.com/

How exciting! This just keeps on getting bigger and better. NYC does sound a little scary though--glad you're going to have the family and all there with you.

Dang, why do I have to be in NM when I should be in NY. I would love to see the big apple and this may be an excuse to run away from home and the kids.

I think it is great that you can take the entourage with you (that's what I'd call them), and maybe someone can play the part of your own personal body guard.

Sit-ups are very over rated.

This is so exciting Laurie! Congrats! My ex was from NY so, while I'm a Georgia peach, I spent quite a bit of time in NYC during my marriage. If you like cheap knock offs (i.e. purses, watches, etc.) make sure you visit Canal Street for all the street vendors. It's right by Little Italy and if you go to the restaurants at lunch you can get some great Italian food for much less money than you have to pay at dinner.

Yay Laurie! This all such wonderful, fantastic, happy news. I don't know how you pulled off a full time job AND writing a book AND blogging AND knitting AND cat care AND litter testing AND gardening. Muy impresionante! As if we didn't know it already, you are indeed a woman to be reckoned with. I am doing my best to make it to the BEA to see you since I am in NJ so geographically right next door. Did you know the Yarn Harlot is going to be there as well?

Yay Laurie. I haven't commented in the past couple of days because I'm sure you were feeling a little overwhelmed with all of the love surging your way (heh comment breaking love no less) but I'm so proud of you for writing your book. You inspire me and I'm so grateful. (I also know more than I used to about my marital finances because of you and my name is on everything now thanks to your triple A story.)

Gawd! You're so cute!

Good Lord, Woman! What on earth are you nervous about? Have you not noticed from the comments all this time that we love you? You are real and funny and caring and adorable, and if you fall off a stage, your public will rush to your aid, dust you off and get you a glass of wine. I promise.

Wow! I hardly ever comment 'cause I'm on the other side of the globe and by the time I get up and read your latest, there's a bazillion other comments and I figure whatever I want to say has been said.... not that that always stops me. Anyway, since my post yesterday was lost in the Great CAP Comment Crash of '07, and you're only up to thirty-some comments yet, I wanted to say you rock! And NY will love you -- and if they don't, well, people there don't make eye contact much, so you won't really know it, anyway.

I cannot wait to get your book, and if you want to come read and sign and get nervous on a totally different continent, we'd make a space for you here in Taiwan.

Congrats...I found you thru the Dude and keep coming back. Its scary how much of what you are thinking is what the rest of us are thinking. So the question then becomes, are we stalking you, or are you stalking us???? This is really turning out to be your year!

Are you there, God? It's me, Bossy.

Why should you fear those who have been on Oprah? You're also eventually going to be on her show, since she regularly features best-selling authors :)

Next summer, can you speak at the LA Times Festival of Books?

Fun! Local! UCLA!

(OK, so two out of three isn't bad)

Now if the event were to be conducted at USC.....

Last time I was in NYC I ate cheesecake at least twice a day. NYC knows pastries...

Laurie.....what an awesome way to start the day....I loved the comment about the sit-ups "throw money at it and complain about it". I laughed so hard I snorted!! Good thing I'm the only one in the office :-) You will sparkle in NY!!

From what I can tell, it is a trade show, not open to us crazies. But, I had to laugh at all the traffic their site is probably getting right now.

Dear Laurie:

Woo hoo !! My two favorite bloggers are in print now. That would be you and the Yarn Harlot. I read you both every day and if a day goes by and there's no entry I get pissy and wonder what is so important in your life that you aren't making me either laugh out loud or get misty eyed at your wise self-discovery. Best of luck on your new book - you have at least one guaranteed sale!

You and Judy Blume in the same place..I am so coming over to hug you both!

Yeah for you and a trip to the big apple!

As for the nerves, keep the shoes cute, smile like you mean it and enjoy this first time. There will be other programs like this you will attend (cause I'm sure that there will be future books), so enjoy it for what it is - a chance to be with your fellow authors and being surrounded by bou-que books.

Just make sure to pack uber comfortable slippers for when the cute shoes kill your feet.

Girl, you are going to be at the same book writers thing as Judy Blume! That is so freakin cool! I know you'll do great and charm the pants of all of them. Well, figuratively speaking, one would hope.

Woo hoo! You'll be great. And those trade show booths are always tipping over, and not because someone fell on them....

awesome! Looks like its for industry people, so this cannot count as your only NY/NJ visit on your tour :) Pizza is pizza, unless you're ordering a whole 8 slice pie, and the humidity doesn't really start up until July/August.

NYC is awesome, and a bit overwhelming, but don't be scared... enjoy it like a huge rollercoaster!

Remember that *everyone* fits in here in New York - we've got all types. And make sure whatever shoes you bring are good for walking!

Ok, Friend Gina and I might just have to make a road trip for this. I don't think Gina has seen an actual Southern person. It will be an experience for her.

Is Judy Blume the one to blame for me saying "I must, I must, I must increase my bust" while working out doing arm thingy's? My boyfriend walks away when I get on that machine.... And it never worked, could you just tell Ms. Blume she was wrong. My bust is still small despite many years of trying. But I still love her. Despite my small chest.

Congratulations girlfriend. Have a blast in NYC and enjoy the ride!

Hey getting on just the regular Spanx is a work out. I'm afraid to think what fortitude it will take for the heavy duty. If you can do that, you can pull anything off. You'll probably be that lovely southern lady I've always admired. Good luck.

You will most certainly be a breath of fresh air, and will probably say charmingly inappropriate things that will make them love you all the more...and buying expensive shoes is always a good thing, never feel bad about that! Meeting Judy Blume would be a highlight, but I'll bet she's nowhere near as funny as you are!

Congratulations! Now, I'm near Atlanta, and everyone ends up in Atlanta at some point, so let me know when you'll be there on your tour. I'll definitely visit! And, of course, you and your entouràge are invited for dinner. (Hubby loves cooking big dinners! Aren't I lucky?!) PLUS...I know you're a cat person, but our 4 dogs will make sure you are also a dog person!

OK Laurie, I want to be the first to predict (and maybe I'm not the first, ok, but I don't have time to read ALL the comments you get every day!)
that someday soon you will be guest hosting on The View or some other such TV show.

We all knew you had a book in you, but those of us who have had the privilege of meeting you in person know that you were made to be seen. You are gorgeous, you have a great voice, and no one tells a story like you do.

Thank you so much for sharing your all your adventures with us.

Yesterday when I read the good news, I went on Amazon & pre-ordered your book. Way to go, Laurie!!! I found you sometime in Jan. through another blog, can't remember which though. I then systematically went back to the beginning and worked my way forward. You are a delightful writer! I am not at all surprised you would be published except for the surprise that someone I read every day (or whenever you blog) would write a book, and be published.
Your blog appeals to many ages, I myself am a grandmother. Your writing style, your humor, your love for your cats, family, knitting, your foibles, even your sadness and loneliness, add up to a unique and enjoyable blog. I know your book will be also.
I wish you success, you deserve it.

Laurie? I want you to know that I have never, ever, in my life, laughed as hard as I just did at the phrase "grace and effortless three-stoogery." Mostly because I suffer from that affliction myself (ask my brother! He'll tell y'all some stories!) and did not know there was a name for it. Thank you!

Hee.

Laurie,
I've been sitting back quietly watching all of the news unfold & I have to say I am deeply green with envy - not about the deevorce part. Last night I brought home a print of your books page on Amazon and showed it to Mr. Motorcycle; he wasn't envious but he sure was happy for you. I'm happy too, just a little green about the gills. Not in a sick way. You know what I mean.

--CursingMama

ps. will you tell Judy Blume that I love her and if it weren't for her I wouldn't know a darn thing about my period. Well I would now (obviously)but when I was 10 I was totally in the dark. You know what I mean.

I will be unable to join you as my daughter's ballet recital is that weekend. (Twice.) But I'm sure you will be perfectly wonderful and charming and I wish I could be there to admire your hootchie wear, I mean, er, professional demeanor from afar.

(I tried to come up with a specific example of hootchie wear, and I could not. If LL Bean does not sell it, I do not know it.)

(Does your book include HW patterns? Maybe you should save that for the next one.)

I want to go! but I too am scared of New York and my parents won't go.... hmmm, I ordered your book! you inspire me, make me laugh and bring me so much freakin' JOY!!! brenda from cheesehead land aka Wisconsin

Laurie,
IF you haven't read Jack's book "success Principals" It is quite good and IF said accident should happen I am sure he would emerge gracefully asking what one might be able to glean from mishap. So are you having advanced copies in NY?

Not that I have like this huge readership of my own mind you, but I did put the news of your book up on myspace, livejournal and even my guild's forums for World of Warcraft (hi, I'm a geekling). But SO happy for you!

I just told them that my favorite blogger is being published and get this... she's a 30-something, divorced, silly, knitting obsessed, cat crazy, southern-transplant living on the West Coast named Laurie.. and she's not ME! Even my supermacho 'I only talk about cars and guns' males asked for the URL for your blog - I'm so proud!

As a librarian, I have been encouraged to go to Book Expo. I had originally dismissed the idea but you are making me reconsider.

So what are the Buddha's two little sidekicks called? Those are the ones that hurt the most to crunch away.

When you meet Judy Blume, will you just thank her for all of us?

congratulations!
as a native and current NYer, i can honestly tell you that i have never heard anyone call it "pie" - but if you want to not stand out here, you gotta pick up your pizza and fold it down the middle.
should there be some sort of meet up? a substitute stitch n' bitch for you? will you have any time?
if you'd like, i'll be happy to arrange a meet up (i'm sure countless new yorkers who read your blog would be happy to do so as well).

let us know! we're all so jealous of the LAers who get to hang out with you all the time!

Oh my Goddess! Writing a book and getting it published leads to doing situps???!!!

I'm laughing and crying at the unexpected twists in your path. And I'm never going to write a book--the horror of situps is tooooo much!

You just go on with bad-ass self!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BOOYAH
I wish you all the best

Nervousness ... I am a singer and would have such nerves that I'd have nervous vibration over vibrato! And run out of breath ... not good. I discovered beta-blockers. I highly recommend them! It cuts the edge off without messing up your head!

Just think of all the great yarn you can buy over there....and shoes. They have great shoes there.

Holy Cow! Judy Blume will be there? See, I'd be all worried that I'd make a fool of myself in front of her. I wish I lived closer to NYC so I could come and be supportively awkward. I can out socially awkward anyone! I consider it a talent, but I've been told it's not resume material!

Congratulations! If you and your fabulous Southern family and California friends want a tour guide to the best pizza in all of NYC (native New Yorker knitter here), give me a ring. I'm quite a bit shy, too, but I think I could drag my ass out for you.

I agree with the comments above: wear comfortable shoes!, and also, New Yorkers come in all sizes. You're gorgeous and I promise you'll fit right in.

as the public, i doubt i would be allowed entry, but you'll have fun in NYC. unless they're having some crazy heatwave, it's not too humid in the first week of june so you'll probably not sweat to death.

boston is only 4 hours away by car by the way...

You are so like a Southern-girl version of Bridgit Jones...

And just remember, we're not called crazy in the South - just "eccentric"

Good luck!

Laurie, the Los Angeles Times Book Fair is going on this weekend at UCLA. It's too late to you know, try to schedule a signing or a talk or anything, but maybe you could gate-crash and arrange an Impromptu, unauthorized meet-and-greet for all your West Coast fans? ;)

When I was in NY last fall, it was too hot in the sun for a sweater, but the wind was astonishing! I thought all those buildings would block the wind, but instead they create these massive windtunnels. I'm guessing spring is like fall, so be prepared for humid AND windy.

Phooey on the Not Open to the Public stuff. The Public likes to read. If it weren't for the Public, to whom would the Book Public Trade sell the books?

Seriously, Laurie, this sounds like an incredible opportunity for you. Books, authors, Central Park, and just think of all the yarn stores...

And you get to meet Judy Blume to boot! I totally loved "Forever".

Congrats on your book deal!!!! That is so great and so exciting! You are a hard worker and a funny, funny, person, and I'm so glad it is paying off for you!

So that you don't have to feel regrets if you choose to do no more crunches (though, they are fine for strengthening your "core"), keep in mind that crunches do not make tummies get smaller. There seems to be some prevalent myth that doing abdominal exercises will magically change "insulation" into muscle, or that we can "target" an area for weight reduction just by strengthening the muscles in that area. The reality is that different people gain and lose weight in different ways, but it all comes down to actually losing the fat, which is aided by exercising in general, not necessarily tummy crunches. (I know people who have abdominal "six-packs" stored underneath their insulation, but nobody can see them.....) I am so proud of you (I'm older than you, so I can say that) for just trying to make better food choices for yourself as a lifestyle rather than as a diet, and THAT is what will help in the tummy area ultimately.

Anyway, have fun with your new adventures!!!!! Again, I am sooo excited for you!

Forget the fancy shoes - buy yourself some Crocs http://www.crocs.com/home.jsp . Check it out - comfortable with airholes so your feet won't sweat! (Doesn't help much with the face though)
Have fun in New York - I thought you might be loving the little countdown ticker your event web site has in red. (Ack! NO FEAR!)

Damn it, chances are real good that I will not make it to stand outside the Javits Center being turned away from entering as I am not a literary professional. But, Philadelphia, tell me when you're coming to Philadelphia.

Our pizza sucks. But we are home to cream cheese and the cheesesteak. And if you fry me a chicken I will cook you an amazing baked mac & cheese.

Oh Man Laurie, this is so cool. New York City! I think you remember the Pace salsa commercials about the other salsa made in New York City. I heard a new one yesterday on the radio. A guy pulls into the drive-thru to order a burger with Pace salsa and the burger guy has to transfer him to his supervisor, then the supervisor passes him to a harried-sounding manager, then to the VP of Salsa Sales who is in.... New. York. City.! Haaahahahaha. (I'm maybe a little too easily amused.) Have fun! Go see the dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History!

If you miss playing with your kitties, you can come up to my husband's veterinary practice on the Upper West Side. There are always a herd of cats who live there as permanent residents. They roam the office freely and like lots of attention!

Tell Judy I said hi!

And don't worry--the best part about being a writer is that you're *supposed* to be quirky. The quirkier the better, really. So I say knock stuff over, shout inappropriate things, and generally embrace your writer self.

Tell your editor you want to make Minneapolis part of your Book Tour too.... We want you to come here too.

All right, prolly you aren't sweaty, just shiny, so - your beauty assignment is to go to a Bobbi Brown counter and get some of the oil-blotting papers. Because you will need them, everyone does! They will keep you from being shiny, they are $5 for a pack of 100 so you can use them indiscriminately, and they don't cake up your face like powder does. (The holder is $20, comes with 100 in it, has a nice mirror on it, is refillable and WELL worth it.)

Go to this address and scroll down to BLOTTING PAPERS. :)

http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/templates/products/mp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY2564

If you're like me you'll be horrified at what they take off your face!

You have totally cracked me up today, about the cracker-ass and the crunch. I'm talkin', cackling, laughin-out-loud, crackin' up here.

And I'm STILL bursting with how happy I am for you and how I can't wait for you to be on Oprah and Ellen Degeneres and that I STILL think Renee Zellweiger should play you in the movie, (although, perhaps someone with more comedic timing like Jenny McCarthy).

And I hope that you make a BOAT-load of money, and even if you are all evolved and personal-growthy and helpy now, I can still gloat that while Mr. X. is still looking for his creativity, (Rockabilly? Really?), you are capitalizing on your own. Gotta love America!!!

You rock, Laurie, and I'm so excited for your trip to the Big Apple! The start of something HUGE! Can't wait to hear about all the cool people you meet!

Wow! I'm so impressed! and a tad jealous and, for some reason, nervous for you! Of course the first thing I did was to scan the signing authors list to see if Stephen King would be there... Cause then I would have to bribe you with yarn or something to get his autograph (I'm such a King junkie). Alas, he won't be there. But some interesting trivia for you, one of his son's will be. (Both of his sons have put out books recently) The one that will be there writes under the pen name Joe Hill. I haven't picked up his book yet, but it is on my list, as is a certain Ms. Perry's up-coming book!!! Yay!

PS - the product info says they also absorb PERSPIRATION. Woo!

Congratulations on your new first recipe book!!! I too will be in NYC at this same time for a banking trade show. If you want to have "pie" or a true NYC dog let me know. I would attend your event, but it looks like its only to the book trade. However,I know a local book shop in Huntington New York called the Book Revue - one of the few independent book stores left - they host book signings - come out to Long Island and play!

This is so awsome! God is opening doors for you and your talent. Walk thru & just be yourself. We already love you. And pretend all the strangers are your blogger friends.

Hey now..why didn't we think of this before? Can anyone think of a better Oprah show than one that has both Laurie and maybe the Yarn Harlot?
I sent an email to Oprah Show ideas:

www.oprah.com/email/reach/email_showideas.jhtml

Found on this page^
If anyone wants a copy of what i sent just email and i'll be happy to share. In the meantime lets show our support !!
Wouldn't it just be soooo cool to see our Laurie ( sorry Laurie thats how we feel - i think i can speak for most of us readers :> ) and Steph on Oprah?..and maybe the Panoptican too..damn i should've thought of him before i emailed.
Delores would walk all over Oprah though maybe
:)

BEA is a BIG deal! Congrats on it all! This is so wonderful!!!!! You must try to get yourself over to Cafeteria and have their Mac-n-Cheese while there too!

Wear comfy shoes and walk everywhere!!! And go to Central Park. My favorite pizza is Grimaldi's, right under the Brooklyn Bridge. And they have great cannoli there as well.

And Stella in NYC if I bring my cat and dog to your hubby's vet will I get a CAP discount? I too live on the UWS!

GOING TO NEW YORK SURVIVAL INFORMATION BELOW:

First, I'm so happy for you! Yay for you for making lemon meringue out of that lemon who left you! (Fine, if you want lemonade instead, but why would you when it could be pie?)

I grew up in Jersey and spent time in New York, and it was always "pizza;" if "pie" was used, the "pizza" was understood, as in, "I'd like two pizzas; one pie mushroom, one pie with green peppers." If you go to a diner and ask for "pie," they will figure you want dessert.

Go to a nice Jewish Deli and eat a Blintz! Um, HEY! If you don't already, go to http://www.tomatonation.com The wonderful Sars grew up in Jersey, but lives in New York, and in addition to writing funny stories (with photos! Of her cats!) and good advice, she has bunches of Places to Go and Things to Eat.

And if html doesn't work in this post, some of this will look pretty doofy.

I will also tell you of all places to shop, Go to Daffy's! http://daffys.com Daffy's is a Sale Paradise, and it often has merchandise that will fit those of us who are not a Size Nothing. I will let you google for the best Daffy's to stop and shop in, since all things are not created equal. Not even boobs. Oh! And New York has The Best Place in the U.S. of A. to be fitted for and to buy a bra! What Not To Wear sends people there all the time, and the shop has appeared time after time on Oprah! (go to her site and google Bra Fitting).
Intimacy on Madison
Corner of 90th and Madison
1252 Madison Ave.
New York, New York 10128 USA
Phone (212) 860-8366; www.myintimacy.com
Try to buy at least two, three if you can afford it; you deserve them! Better you should buy good bras there, and skip Daffy's, if you have to. Better yet, buy bras there, and then go to Daffy's and look for the same bras cheaper!
Wear clothes that are comfy when you sit down. I would therefore suggest wearing clothes without Spanx. Truly, if you wore jeans and a black T-shirt, you'd fit in fine. But be comfortable. Capri trousers and a cute shirt, jeans and a T-shirt, a T-shirt dress. I will admit: New Yorkers wear A Lot (A LOT) of black. If you want to blend on the sidewalks with the locals, wear black (shirts, at least). If you don't mind being looked at as tourists, wear colour. Be comfortable!! Including your shoes. Your accent will melt folks. (Try to have something with cat hair on it with you, even if you don't wear it.)

Please don't buy fake purses when you're there. Don't buy counterfeit anything. It supports terrorists and criminals. Buy something that's genuine New York.

Looks like my comments from yesterday were lost, so I will just say again. So happy for you Laurie. You are well overdue all the happiness and great fortune that you deserve. And, I will also be buying your book.

The other thing is that in LA the fashion is very casual, flip flops with everything, everyone is so laid back. Is New York really much more dressed up? I've heard New Yorkers dress more formally.

I don't know that we'll much time to do any sightseeing but I hope so!! My mom wants to see the Statue of Liberty and I want to see anything that involves cheesecake.

Honey, some advice, your most comfortable shoes...an absolute MUST (a friend of mine is in a booth at trade shows all the time, she is a sales manager, not something untoward!) Remember, there are knitters in NY and they will take care of you.

You are charming and personable, grace is not required. We love you.

(Oh, and I get paid to break software, if you broke software at work, it is because someone like me didn't do their job completely.)

I am not sure how many times so far you have read it in your 90+ comments, but that expo is not open to the public... SO SAD!

BTW, you might enjoy Purl Soho... A LYS.

Several things I learned the hard way.

1. Museums are closed on Mondays
2. It's a bad idea to take a shortcut through Harlem
3. Comfortable shoes are a must
4. Carry enough cash to take a cab when you get tired of walking

NYC? Woot woot!!

When are we getting together?? I was born and raised in Queens, and now I live in the Bronx. I will totally show you around.

Can I be in charge of alcoholic beverages?

In NYC, no one bats an eyelash over self-conscious, over-excited, twang-talkin, new authors from LA.

No worries. YOu'll do fine. But I think you should TOTALLY do the hootchie wear.

My friend sent me to your blog because of your book. She was appalled to see i'd never read your blog. I'm starting to though!

Being in publishing, I'm 90% sure that BEA is NOT open to the public. We're a pretty casual group of folk though, so you'll be fine. The last time it was in NYC, I remember a booth giving out booze around 5pm or so, so there are certainly things to look forward to!

Being at BEA is a good thing for your book though. It means your publisher has enough faith in your book that they want to show it off! :)

Yes, New Yorkers (and New Englanders) dress somewhat more formally, partly because it's cold out so much of the time, so flip-flops are out and Hawaiian shirts (for example) look weird. But you don't have to wear a suit: nice-looking pants and blouse are fine. If you have a jacket, so much the better (also better protection from that wind someone mentioned, and it can easily be on the chilly side in NY even in June). I totally agree re comfortable shoes.

My favorite museums in NY are the Cloisters (medieval, lots of mind-blowingly intricate tapestries) and the Museum of Natural History (lots of mind-blowingly enormous bones).

I say you wear DRESS SHORTS!

Go ahead, bite the Big Apple, Laurie! Yee-haw!

New York has ridiculously beautiful fahionable skinny people (RBFSPs) and Everybody Else. Ignore the RBFSPs.

Even the RBFSPs have some sense about their feet and wear sneakers or Crocs until they arrive at their office, at which point they put on their Fancy Work Stilettos.

You can never go wrong with black...

...and the Yarn Harlot wore jeans and her Bohus sweater for her lecture and book signing at the Fashion Institute of technology ...

...but you should probably wear a T-Shirt from Lea's Pies in LeCompte, Louisiana in case anybody gets confused as to what pie is.

But seriously ... Yarn Harlot will be at BEA too. And what you really have to do at BEA, I think, is convince booksellers to stock your book, although the rest of us humble humans can also buy tickets for book signings.

You really, really, need to hook up with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. We all want to see what happens when the two of you are in the same room together. With pie and Spanks and the Chicken Soup Dude.

Seriously, wear Crocs. But black ones.

And your family will be there!!!

1. Best Cupcakes in NYC: Magnolia Bakery (Seriously, you have to have these. Danny Hadaia once complimented me on my tattoo at this bakery. Also, the cupcakes are sublime).

2. Best Pizza in NYC: Grimaldi's (it's totally worth the trip to Brooklyn - it's the Manhattan-est edge of BK anyway, located almost precisely under the Brooklyn Bridge).

3. Best Chocolate in NYC, conveniently around the corner from Grimaldi's: Jacques Torres Chocolate (they have another location on Hudson St. in Manhattan if you're too scared or don't have time to go to Brooklyn).

I have family and friends in NYC, so call me in case of emergency and I will dispatch a rescue squad.

Three things:
1) Consider yourself a smart worker-outer. Apparently we're not supposed to do sit-ups anymore, since they hurt us. Instead we're meant to do crunches! So yay, you did your tummy proud!

2) I definitely want to hear more about your whole writing process! I love your cats too. Perhaps you can combine cats with writing process = a book all about catfood and sunbeams?

3) When faced with a room full of scary unknown folk that you must perform infront of, the Japanese always think to themselves, "kabocha!". Instead of naked folk, they turn everyone into pumpkins.

Don't worry about Jack Canfield. He spoke at a conference I went to and really was the nicest man in the world. PLUS he talked about poo. I kid you not! Everyone in the audience just sorta looked around at each other, all uncomfortable like, and whispered "Is he really talking about what I think he's talking about?" Indeed he was. Poo. Poo poo poo. So really, you're kindred spirits!

hootchiewear!!! hahahahahaha i just added this new phrase to my vocabulary :o)

i'm so glad you're coming to nyc!!! we have plenty of good yarn stores here!

I say we start a pool on how many times CAP mentions "porn" to random booth visitors (kidding!) ;-)

Seriously, tho, Laurie, you are about to live my dream of getting a trip to NYC! I watch that show "What Not to Wear" all the time and am always hoping that they will ambush me and whisk me off to New York for a shopping spree.

Oh, hey, now that I'm thinking about that, you might check it out for wardrobe tips - they do seem to represent quintessential New York style pretty well. They're on TLC at noon on weekdays and Friday nights at 9 pm.

You are going to have a great time. I am completely jealous and happy for you all at the sdame time.
You taking the family estate on wheels or those airflying thingies? Do the cats get to attend?

my friend, Heather, in high school called it "verbal diarrhea" when you had to much to say. Gross but accurate.

good luck with the trip and the reading and pizza and all that. for great food suggestions try the Amateur Gourmet's blog. as a librarian I could get into the show but alas, money for NYC is not in the budget. You'll do great!

my friend, Heather, in high school called it "verbal diarrhea" when you had too much to say. Gross but accurate.

good luck with the trip and the reading and pizza and all that. for great food suggestions try the Amateur Gourmet's blog. as a librarian I could get into the show but alas, money for NYC is not in the budget. You'll do great!

Way to go!! And I love reading through your comments and seeing you responding back---that is so cool! Anyway, yes, congratulations and one more thing that I forgot to say yesterday...please get the book tour thing underway and DEFINATELY plan for an event in Canada! Someone mentioned Lettuce Knit in Toronto?---I could go there, or you could come to Newmarket...smaller, but we have yarn and wine and cats and a few of us have been divorced.
Have fun with this!

Sending happy, calm thoughts your way. You'll do just fine. Remember, when you present, focus on a smiley person in the crowd...

Delurking (why do I lurk, when I wish my lurkers would comment? A question for the ages) to say congratulations on the book; I can't wait to read it.

You know the song, "I like New York in June, how about you?" It's true. Early June in NYC is heavenly.

And I must echo the comments about having comfortable shoes. The streets of Manhattan are hard, and I mean that literally. Shoes that I had thoroughly broken in on Midwest pavement gave me serious blisters when I first moved to NY.

I can recommend some really good, inexpensive food/drink places, if you'd like.

You are amazing - I ordered your book the other day, and may order another one for my Godmother who just got a divorce. I am SO proud of you - I can't believe you have juggled this website, a book, four cats, and a real job all this time! Very impressive. I'd meltdown and like you say, sit in a corner and eat my hair. I'll come see you when you make it up to SF for your book tour! Come on! We have lots of divorced cat lovers in SF! XO

BEA? You are a real author girl!! BEA is the real deal. And listen to the nice people who know NYC. That cute outfit you were wearing last week at SnB seemed totally fine, if it's comfortable enough to be in all day.

And if you go to yarn shops, or really if you walk and breathe while there, take pics! (I should talk--I still haven't posted about anything on my trip but your SnB yet, and have yet to upload the pictures).

OMG what if I say porn to Jack Canfield????

Anna Liza, what did I have on last week? I will have to check the pictures, which I will post tomoorw hopefully :) You looked very cute in them! I do remember that!

Do you think I will even get to meet Jack Canfield, aside from knocking the booth on his head? I hope so. He's like the apex of personal growthy. Ya'll know I love to get my crazy on in the self-help aisle.

I'm think I'm going to wear a lot of black but now ya'll have me questioning my shoe purchases. I tried to find a picture online but no luck!

Laurie, as to what to wear, they have these really great long shorts out now. Very stylish in a country club kinda way, I'm sure they'd be perfect.

hee hee hee!!

I am so happy for you. But one must have to wonder why we are waiting on the edge of our seat buying fancy drinks and food to have all ready for the big day. When Amazon puts the great writing in my mail box. So my dog And I can curl up in our bed for how ever long it takes to read this back to front. Yes, I always read the last few pages of any book first. So if you maybe are signing a few books in June is it? Why do we have to wait until October ? . I don't mean to sound all whiney and such but Aunt Purl "we want it now" If we fly to New York and hang out around the outside of the building being your paparazi can we get a book in advance maybe even signed by you and the kittys of the manor?

OMG! Too exciting for words. Did you look at the photos on the BEA site from last year's expo. Whoa!!!! Congratulations on the book; that's an amazing accomplishment.

MORE IMPORTANTLY: Do not let your parents drive their RV into the city. (Manhattan = the city). Also, Staten Island has the best pizza at DeNino's. Sorry Queens people but it's true.

Sit-ups, crunches...whatevah...my running coach says they are useless and they basically are just taking your fat for a ride. And why is it that pants are always tighter in the front when you are sitting--leaving a gap in the back---and tight in the butt when you are walking. Now that my ever widening menopausal butt is morphing out of control, it is so hard to find comfy pants to sit and work in all day. As for what you should wear to your NY book event...not spandex. You will feel like a sausage in a steamer!

OK, dear, I'm going to toss Miss Vanderbilt aside and shout at you: RELAX!!! Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale! Now, you will leave the Spanx at home. You need to wear something that you feel good in, not something that's going to make you sweat so badly no amount of Certain-Dri is going to save Ms. Cracker from turning to a floury mush. I'm not a native NYC inhabitant, but from the observations I have made on various visits there I can guarantee you that there are plenty of large asses there to offset the tiny ones. Trust me, it can't possibly be scarier than LA! You'll be fabulous just being you! I wish I could be there!

Yep, girls in NYC are skinny and everybody wears black. Just do what I do. I don't care. I weight around 200 lbs but think I am fabulous (most days) with my bodacious body and colors. If you want I can go stand by you to make you look skinnier.

PS--I find that a lot of skinny women my age (57) or older look kind of pinched and unhappy. That does not mean that my weight is healthy, though. I am working on it.

Oh...I used to wear Spanx in NY in the summer and they were comfortable. The reason I stopped wearing them is that I became too, how do I put it?, luscious...

Oh My God! (insert happy teenager squeal here)
Lauri that's FABULOUS!!!
You are going to rock, people are going to LOVE you, and all will be right with the world!
And OMIGOD! Judy BLUME!!!!!
BTW (getting all "helpy" here- move on if you don't wanna see it) I am a first-class act like an ass nervous trip-over-my-tongue girl. My weapons? The vitamins Gaba, Inositol, and Rescue Remedy (yeah, it's LA, trust me to know the hippy stuff). But really- my doc recommended these instead of paxil when I was sweating a big speaking event, and they work like oh-my-god-this-is-legal?!- I was ACTUALLY coherent!!! And calm!! And used less than a million words! (my friends have offered to register this as an official miracle with the Vatican).
Also- go to www.t-tapp.com and try the sample exercises. it's my ultimate pull-my-ass-in last resort before seeing old boyfriends, reunions, etc.

Oh My God! (insert happy teenager squeal here)
Lauri that's FABULOUS!!!
You are going to rock, people are going to LOVE you, and all will be right with the world!
And OMIGOD! Judy BLUME!!!!!
BTW (getting all "helpy" here- move on if you don't wanna see it) I am a first-class act like an ass nervous trip-over-my-tongue girl. My weapons? The vitamins Gaba, Inositol, and Rescue Remedy (yeah, it's LA, trust me to know the hippy stuff). But really- my doc recommended these instead of paxil when I was sweating a big speaking event, and they work like oh-my-god-this-is-legal?!- I was ACTUALLY coherent!!! And calm!! And used less than a million words! (my friends have offered to register this as an official miracle with the Vatican).
Also- go to www.t-tapp.com and try the sample exercises. it's my ultimate pull-my-ass-in last resort before seeing old boyfriends, reunions, etc.

Wow oh wow. I am actually at the Javits Center right now this very minute! At a very boring work tradeshow that is nowhere as exciting as the BookExpo. (That is why I am paying $5.00 per hour for wireless internet access so I can read your blog while I'm supposed to be working the exhibit booth. Please do not tell my boss.) You will love NYC, and if it makes you feel any better I have not heard anyone refer to pizza as pie. It is a great city, you and your entourage will have a wonderful time!

*delurks to say* like woah. you are totally famous now.

p.s. my buddies, theanticraft.com girls, will be there too!

I pre-ordered your book! Yeah!
I am really going to get myself into trouble one of these days. I have 4 pre-orders already floating around out there. It's so easy. You know cause you don't have to pay now, it's an easy decision.
Congrats by the way!
:)

Laurie you will be wonderful! Have a great time!

Intimacy on Madison? Pfffft!!:-) The best bra shop with the best fitters is The Town Shop, (www.townshop.com) on Broadway and 81st. They've been in business for over 100 years and are a unique NYC institution, not a mini-chain. The women who work there will fit you like nobody's business. You will put on a close-fitting shirt over your new bra and say "OMG! I had no idea that my chest could look this good!"

Reply to Laurie in Victoria ... And Crazy Aunt Purl

I think you should be on Oprah too! You rock!

Sue

Javits Center. I have done a bunch of trade shows there. You will probably be sitting at the booth (vs. standing in the booth, which is much, much worse), but here is what to expect:
1) Concrete. The floor is concrete. If the booth coordinator for the publisher has been nice to you, you will have carpeting; if this person has been very, very nice to you, you will have rubber padding underneath the carpeting. If the booth coordinator is a sadist, you will have concrete. Tough on the back.
2) Glass...miles and miles and miles of glass walls and roof. Which can turn the Javits Center into a giant greenhouse, except for the AC, which can be sometimes Frigidaire-like. So, bring a sweater or a jacket or something and wear it over short sleeves or, (hey, it's New York - no one knows you...) sleeveless.
3) Birds. There will be at least two or three birds flying around the greenhouse. Whatever you wear, make sure it's ..ahem..washable.
4) Shoes. I can't emphasize this enough. Wear Comfortable Shoes. Comfortable shoes does NOT mean ballet flats, three-inch heels, etc. Comfort requires padding in the sole. Squishy if you got 'em. Even with padding and carpet, you will be sitting there and your feet just might start to swell (shoot, mine do) and you want comfortable so that when you have to make a run for the ladies' room, you won't fall over.
5) Misc.: Bottled water. With all the heat and AC, you will dry out fast. Drink water. They will want to bring you coffee. Don't do it. Drink bottled water. I know New Yorkers think their water is the best tasting water in the world, but it's chlorinated. Make the assistants bring you bottled water. 5-a) Whatever your pain reliever of choice is, bring that. A whole bottle. Because you KNOW that when you need it, it will be 2 a.m. and finding a drug store in New York open at 2 a.m which is down the street from your hotel just might be tough. So bring your own. 5-b) If you are prone to back issues (yes, I know you are sitting, but still..), bring an electric heating pad.

Laurie, I have a really funny quote for you about being rich and famous, but I keep forgetting it at home... so I'm looking forward to cat pictures and hearing all about The Sneezer, but I might have to randomly insert a book comment, tomorrow.

NYC is wonderful. Try to stay as long as you can and also try to spend half a day going to Ellis Island. You'll cry, but so does everyone else.

Hi Laurie,

Long time blog reader, first time commenter.

Congrats on the book! I can't wait to read it! I'm going to NYC for the first time the weekend before you. I wish our visits coincided because I would so be there! I'm really nervous about NYC too. I keep telling my husband (who has been there before) that I'm just a small town girl. I have no business being around cool city people. I might as well smack a label on my backside that says HICK! I'm gonna be the one walking through Times Square squealing and pointing at everything.

Ooooo....think of the YARN SHOPS in NYC! /drool I'm a firmly-planted Midwestern/Michigan gal, but that would tempt me no end!

Laurie-

This is so wonderful! I am so thrilled for you. So here is a little story for you...One day in the the midst of my divorce trama...I was talking to my therapist about how freaked out I was about being away from my son for an entire weekend...in her best therapist way she asked how I planned to handle things...and in my best sane impersonation-I replied "Two Beers and a Paxil". I thought this was brilliant and very healthy...she did not...anyhow if you would like that for your next book title-it's my gift to you-from one sane southern divorced fabulous female to another!

Just "found" you yesterday...
Threw away prozak today...
Will definetely drop over ever day.

Big smile from São Paulo, Brazil.
PS. Looking forward for your book. Hope they publish you here!

oh, I am so bummed! I leave New York on the 26th of May (for London. ok, maybe I am not SO bummed. And then I am going to Paris. Sadly I only have about two hours in LA)

Just "found" you yesterday...
Threw away prozak today...
Will definetely drop over ever day.

Big smile from São Paulo, Brazil.
PS. Looking forward for your book. Hope they publish you here!

"Two Beers and a Paxil"

OMG... that is THE funniest thing I have heard in forever, I love it!

How exciting!!

But - I have to tell you about something else! My 4th grade daughter is working on her report about Oklahoma for her school's Tour of the U.S. assembly and we found that OK has an official STATE MEAL! We were googling pictures of things like the state flower, state amphibian, etc. and decided to get some pictures of things that are included in the state meal - like FRIED OKRA! Guess what the 3rd picture Google listed was - YOUR FRIED OKRA from July 24, 2006!!!!

Have a great day you famous famous lady!!!!

Just found your blog, and even though I am, ahem, only half a cat person (I've written one book about dogs, one about cats--does that make me bisexual?), I hope you'll accept me...the only knitting I do is in my mind.

And, re: NYC and BEA, they both rock. The big secret of New York is almost everyone here is actually from somewhere else, and within them lives a secret geek.

And take advantage of those roaming masseuses they had two years ago...they really work.

1. Stella is right, The Town Shop, (www.townshop.com) on Broadway and 81st, is a good place to buy bras. I will list it as "also," in addition to Intimacy, since I don't know what your agenda will be.

2. At least a couple of nice folks have suggested "shorts." Word of advice? Don't. Just don't. If you do, and anyone takes pictures, you will cry and ask why your friends let you do that in New York.

Oh my goodness, I am late to the party! Congratulations a million times over, I can’t wait to read it. I am so excited for you. Have fun in New York with the folks, be sure to buy yourself something fabulous and expensive.

La BellaDonna... what about Formal Shorts? heheheheheh

Oh Lord have mercy you know I wouldn't show these legs above the knee. I don't want to show up on that back page of Glamour, with a black bar on my eyes as a FASHION DON'T! ;)

Uhhh, nope. We call it pizza like everyone else. Pie is pie, like as in dessert. ;-)

Congrats on the book Laurie!! I'm so very excited for you.

We visited NY in Jan this year, please make a note to have lobster bisque soup at the soup shop lol... Where Seinfeld was told 'no soup for you', if you need details I can dig it up for ya! They have the bestest soup ever!

Also, make note not to leave your purse/backpack on the ferry to the statue of liberty, it was such a nightmare of me.. omg.. I almost pee-ed my pants but someone (I'm sure it's a tourist) turned in my backpack and all was well in the world.

I wish I could've been there to meet you, have lots of fun and bring your movie star size sunglasses with ya!

Kitty :)

Laurie - You are so amazing. This is absolutely wonderful. I have read your blog for over a year now, and continue to be amazed at how you "put the words together". Such a pleasure to read. Writing comes very hard for me, so I appreciate others who can do it in such a fun, caring way. Enjoy the activities. You will have a ball.

Laurie -
You brighten my day and make me proud to be a southern gal.
If I could I would bake you a real southern pie to take with you to the land of Yankees.
Keep on 'crunching'

Unfortunately, working in the same building as Penguin publishing doesn't make me eligible for entry. But I would have been there if I could! And be yourself! They'll love you.

Laurie -
You brighten my day and make me proud to be a southern gal.
If I could I would bake you a real southern pie to take with you to the land of Yankees.
Keep on 'crunching'

Have been working too hard, so am just reading through your exciting and happy news!!!

Congrats, CAP. We love ya (cat hair and all!)

The news just gets better every hour!

Bring a spare suitcase to BEA. Seriously.
You'll end up w/ a gazillion tons of free books.

Hey-- I agree with some other commentators. I'm a Central Jersey girl, and get the influences of both NYC and Philly. Pizza= Pizza, so nothing to worry about there, and yes, the whole thing can be called a "pie", or better yet, "a whole pizza". Now, there are some old timers that might call a pizza a "tomato pie", but really, they are a little different. They are more like...um...pie. Enjoy the skinny, flat slices!
:-)

Does Judy Blume know she now has a chance to meet YOU?????

And since you'll already be there, see if the Powers That Be can get you on Letterman!

Hootchie wear..... girl, you crack me up!

The world will fall in love with you, Laurie. Even Jack Canfield!

Hooray. My husband goes to this for work, so I'll have him say hi.

New York is awesome. You'll have a great time.

Does this mean that the people that get to go to BEA get to read Laurie's book before the rest of the world??????????

That is so not fair.

black - black is always good in NY -- black jeans, black slacks, can go with a colored top if you must but black is GOOD

Did my part and pre-ordered the book too...

there are too many good, juicy tidbits to comment about!
Judy Blume? SHUT UP!
Oprah? Letterman? The View? Lord yes!
an entourange? now seriously! that is the way to go. Spanks, crunches & dress shorts?
You lead a very intriguing life Ms. Cracker!
Wishing I were free to stalk you in NY that weekened!

Oh, and another thing about Book Expo ... it's got hundreds of publishers sitting around at tables with stacks and stacks of promo copies of their upcoming books. You can just take them, even if you don't have a "professional" reason for doing so ... they assume most people there are in the business, and they want to get copies of these books circulating among reviewers and other industry people before their release dates.

So ... get a few sturdy canvas bags, and just spend some time walking around picking up books that look interesting to you. Really! You may occasionally want to have a little chit-chat with the people at the table, but nobody minds if you take a book and just keep circulating. They don't want to pack up all those copies at the end of the day! And Book Expo has a place in the convention center where you can ship all the books back to your home address, so you don't have to put pounds of books in your luggage (you'll need the space for clothes from NYC).

Have fun!

Laurie! I've been lurking on your blog for several months now (I love it!!)... but lurk no more! I had dinner with my mom today (read: we ordered pizza and sprawled all over her giant bed and watched The Christmas List. Yes, it's April.) and I was (also) reading your blog, and she asked me what I was laughing at, and so I sent her the link to this entry (because along with the pizza, we each had our laptops out, keeping our buddhas warm for the crumbs) and then asked her if she knew what a blog was. And she did, because.. well, she knows. And she loved it! So really there was no comment in pointing this out. Except, I guess, that now laughing along with your blog is something we can add to the (short) list of things we have in common. So... thank you!!

Hi Congrats on the book! I will for sure be ordering it!
You will have a fab time in NYC. I live in New York and you will LOVE IT!!! I agree that pizza is pizza or a "slice" for sure, never "pie". Head to toe black is always a hit and ditch your fancy shoes and get some comfort (I recommend anything Aerosoles and they look good and are comfy). Your feet will thank you in NYC, the land of "walk to get anywhere" and "oh my god my heel is stuck in this subway grate" Have fun!

Crap, I am too damn far away from New York. I would pay to see an entire booth come crashing down at a book fair. Even if no one insanely famous was in there. Although that would make it funnier.

You'll be fine and loved and have writer's cramp in two hours from all the autographing. Will you be getting all Zsa Zsa Gabor on us now? "No picta's dahlink, no pictia's."

Congratulations on the book.... Do we really have to wait until OCTOBER!!! I do have to say that I hope Mr. X is still "looking" for his creativity... ha ha ha

Happy dance and jazz hands for you, Laurie!

You are an amazing lady with such a past and whoo me -- What a future!!!

The impression in my memory is that you were wearing black pants, a black jacket or light sweater, and a pretty print blouse/shirt thing, and that it really suited you. But check the pics--I had been in airports, airplanes, cars and buses all day and I'm not sure I'm reliable. I'm sure about the "suited you well" thing, though, because I do remember thinking I liked the way you dressed.

Oooo. Touring and stuff. You are going to have to come to the Bay Area.

Oh - also: There are many skinny women in NYC, to be sure, but having lived on both coasts I feel comfortable saying the women are skinnier and scarier in LA. NYC allows you to dress up in order to look good, whereas in LA I feel like you're supposed to look like you just rolled out of bed fabulous.

Not trying to offend my friends on either coast, of course.

Having done a few trade shows (not publishing, unfortunately, good gravy there are stacks of books piled everywhere and you can just *take* them? must write book), I might also say: after you talk to the first three or four people you will find yourself developing a standard bit even if you haven't written or rehearsed one, and repeating it verbatim for the rest of the day. This is quite OK and may even help with the shy thing. If necessary you can edit it as you go to add poop and porn references.

the best way to deal with our northeast humidity and still look good? Black linen pants. Yes we wear flip flops... but not if we are going to be on our feet all day. I am a big fan of Keen shoes (http://www.keenfootwear.com/product_wall_page.cfm?catID=2&viewAll=1) my favorite being the Saratoga II in black. I haven't gotten on board with crocs yet. But anyhow.. comfort matters most. I'm so excited for you to go to NYC.. and how awesome is it that your family gets to go also? Have a rockin good time.. YAY!!

OMG, I go on lousy business trip and you up and WRITE A BOOK while I'm gone??

Congratulations x 1 million.

Wear the Spanx. I will wear the Spanx in solidarity. Of course, I wear them every day. Sit-ups? What??

P.S. I go to NY on biz all the time, and with the exception of a very few fashionistas, just like you have in any city, the rest of the New Yorkers look just like the rest of the people in any city.

Except with more leopard print.

(shudder)

Laurie, you are and will be fabulous and NYC will adore you just like we all do! Congratulations, again, and can't wait to read your first book. XOXO

OK, here's all you need to know:

WEAR BLACK CLOTHES.. and you will 'blend right in' with the locals. :D

Oh I am SO JEALOUS! I wanna go to BEA! They have terrific parties. (Get yourself invited to parties. Abby, hook her up!!) And free books (get your publisher to ship them home for you) and famous writers and did I mention parties and books?

I'll just have to comfort myself at TNNA (where there is yarn but not free).

My research in the matter of attire tells me that you shouldn't wear shorts, bikinis, thongs (the type for your feet, not butt floss I didn't find anything saying that butt floss was a no no) or pj's. Black, navy blue, grey or tan are great choices. Hope this helps ;-)

P.S. Thanks for informing me about the spanx!

You are just fine in public and will surely charm the pants off Mr. Canfield and everyone else you meet--although some pants should probably stay on.

I'm a New Yorker and we don't call "pizza" "pie" and we do wear Spanx throughout the summer if we want to look nice in skirts and dresses. At least I do and I do sit-ups too. Buddha doesn't go away just because you do sit-ups but Buddha definitely obeys my Higher Power Spanx and my Hide and Sleek heavy-duty Spanx. I think they're comfortable. And they'll make you feel comfortable because you will know you look good in your clothes and you won't therefore have to dress down when you would really prefer to dress up.

My Higher Power Spanx make my life live-able! Or at least they make my pants live-able.

Which doesn't have a hyphen, I know.

Thank ya'll for all the awesome advice! I have never worn a croc(s), I still am in Uggs Land. And also, Painful High Heels Land.

You are making me re-think le shoe choices!!!!

Don't wear all black! Southern girls don't wear all black! From what I've heard, BEA is a blast. And although most people who go are from publishing/bookselling, but there will be some librarians, too. And we librarians love you!

There should always be pie. And Laurie - I'm pretty sure you will not be speechless. You'll do great!! (And I for one do not blame you at all for including your very own entourage on your first book signing engagement. I don't think I could go to NYC alone either. I guess I'm ten too!)

Oh yeah, and since I'm near the end of my comment, I want to say one last thing. (The perfect ending to all things...)

PIE!!

My two cents reL the footwear situation -- Birkenstocks have an off-shoot called Footprints, which do some very nice looking mary-jane style shoes, with the oh-man-i'm-in-heaven comfy soles. I love me some fancy girly high-heel thingies, but for every day wear I have been completely SOLD on Birkies since I bought my first pair maybe a year ago. I have the thong (hee) ones for summer and the mary-jane ones for winter. Love 'em Love 'em Love 'em. Better than jogging shoes IMO - and you *can* jog in them too, if you have to... Score yourself a nice black suede pair that will match all the black that your other friends have talked you into (and there is no such thing as too much black :) ) and you'll be comfy and smart all day!

Hugs, best of luck there! Hope you have a ball!

How fun is that?!

And, the crunches you can really use to your benefit. You don't even really have to do them right to benefit. You can lie down on the floor in front of the teevee and start upward like if you were doing a crunch. As soon as you feel it's tensing your muscles, you stop moving. Stay in that muscle-tensed position (while breathing) as long as you can hold it. Then, relax a bit and do it again when you can (I mean a few seconds after - not days).

To get the lower part of your pouch, you would just lift your legs off the floor while lying on your back and hold the position the feels most like it's flexing your muscles.

No cheating by propping body parts up into the proper position with pillows!

I actually did this several times in a row a few times a day when I was losing weight once, and it firmed things up nicely without too much effort on my part.

That said, I'm currently chubby and flabby after childbirth, and where can I get one of those Spanx deals for myself??

How incredibly cool! You will be in the same building as Judy Blume?!? AND the same booth as Jack Canfield?!?! That is so cool, you won't even have to worry about breaking a sweat!!!
(I think I may have finally worn out my exclamation point...)

You are absolutely adorable so don't be scared. Just wear what's comfortable for work and you'll be fine. Enjoy every minute of it and hey you may find that your cut out for it.
Have fun!

Well, a little bit late here, but i definitely want to add my most heartfelt congratulations for the book-thing !

Can I make the French translation ?!?

An enthusiastic reader from Paris.

I'm a librarian, so I could get in. My sister-in-law works for Delta, I wonder if they're doing buddy passes now that they're out of Bankruptcy? Hmm. Boy would I love to go to BEA. Also, have a friend who is a book buyer and she goes every year. More possibilities. See the CAP in person! Get books autograhed. Must think seriously about this.
Congratulations, by the way!

How exciting! I'll be in NY that same weekend visiting museums and such. I'll send you some vibes.
My sister used to work for Simon and Schuster. Me misses the free books. Enjoy!

I used to demonstrate computers at trade shows for hours and hours and hours. Trust me, the public never sees your feet. Try Shoebuy.com and look at SoftSpots. I have a shoe fetish and have owned hundreds of pairs. They are the best I've ever owned for comfort without looking dorky. Leave your heels at home. NY is a walking city and it's really the only way to feel it, not just see it. Trade show tip: Put some travel size packages of moist wipes in your purse as well as the water someone else suggested. After two hours, even though you're attached to them, you'll wonder where your hands have been. Are you staying a weekend pre or post show or both? Used to be even the the swankiest hotels went to two thirds or half price on the weekends. I've been fortunate enough to travel a lot and left NY with some of my favorite memories. Your first book and first book event in NYC. What an adventure!

I'm just so damn excited for you. What an amazing adventure. And: JUDY BLUME!!! OMG!!! I bet if you accidentally said "porn" to her it would turn into an intriguing conversation. I'm so glad your family is going with you, I'd be TERRIFIED (big city = scary), but I'd still call for an appt with Nick Arrojo and get my hair cut. And either way it goes, pie will be good.

I'm from the midwest but visit NY as often as possible. I have always thought people were less fat in NY because they have to move more. Most people have to walk to or from the subway to get somewhere so they get a bit more exercise than, say, midwesterners. It will be so much fun!

Hurray, you are coming to my neck of the woods! As others have said, it's a slice, or a pizza a pie is the whole thing. Don't worry about it. NY in June can either be gorgeous or cold, depending on the year... it's crowded and busy and noisy and yes, dirty but I wouldn't live anywhere else. I think you'll like it here. Who is going to watch your furry guys? And can mere mortals like me come to BEA to say Hi? I'll be the one also covered in cat hair.

OMG! Y'all are coming to NYC! I'll be there. As for the spanx and the humidity-y'all are from the South. I thought they taught you girls how to wear a girdle in the drenching hot and still look fresh as a cupcake. And seriously, it is the best pizza PIE you will ever eat. I think it's the water.

Now I'm trying to figure out a way to work a quick trip to NYC into my schedule.... If the BEA is open to 'industry professionals," does it count if I work as a textbook editor? I seriously doubt anyone will be pushing the latest copy of World History for 10th Graders there...

And don't worry about what to wear or how to behave. Just be yourself, because that's what your book is all about!!

Yay, Laurie! Your secret's out at last. I'm glad it worked out (I was worried when you posted you'd had bad news). You'll have a blast at BEA. Maybe you'll be in a booth next to ... (drum roll) ... Dr. Ruth!

I'm serious. I've seen her there. And also Mario Batali. Or however you spell it. Take lots of pictures!

Don't worry about clothes. The general look there is office casual, i.e. dressier than jeans but with an emphasis on comfort. Especially shoes! Like everyone else above, I can't emphasize this enough: Wear comfortable shoes.

You might see about arranging a non-BEA appearance in New York, since a floor pass is at least $100 for the general public.

(Anyone who's thinking of going should register now. The prices go up after May 11: http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/ )

You'll have a blast! Wish I could be there, but if all goes according to plan, I'll be moving into my NEW HOUSE that weekend! Yes, I have taken poor impulse control while shopping to new heights.

Good luck! And remember to *breathe*.

OK, I had to actually click on that link you posted to find out what Spanx is--and my engineering heart went pa-thump pa-thump almost immediately because, man, there's some serious engineering going into these things. Do you really wear them? And if so, how do they feel?

Skip the crunchy sit-ups and get on the treadmill. Walk off the pounds while watching Turner Classic Movies. (no fast food commercials on TCM, you know)

In March I had to travel to San Diego *all by myself* for a conference like a big girl. I was terrified of so many things, but it was really fun.

You're gonna do great in NYC!

Charlotte. Spanx are terrific! They may be serious engineering, but I'm happy to have the engineering. They smoothe you and firm you like a girdle, but they are comfortable enough, IMO, to wear everyday and to wear all day long. They've tripled the size of my wardrobe. Give them a try. I know some women aren't crazy about them, but I know many others who swear by them.

Laurie, I cannot see the booby picture. Why?

Geez, you are so FUNNY! I had to catch up today, and saw "Encyclopedia Britannica of Deevorce"LOL! I can't wait to read your book--I know everyone will love it. Isn't it great to have so many wonderful knitters/others rooting for you? We really are proud; who wouldn't be, 'cause you're so neat!
Ditto: tell Judy Blume we all love her too!

Oh yay! I'M IN NEW YORK CITY! It's not so scary, I promise. I didn't get this excited when the Harlot came to town! I would much rather come see you! I'll see if I can swing it to give you some moral support. Good LUCK!!!

Laurie, you will be fine! Just don't say "porn."

I don't read blogs....didn't even know what one was until a friend of mine found your site and told me to check out your cat. I have two furballs of my own..... I have been reading your "blog" that is really a odd word... for a couple of weeks and I just pre-ordered your book...you go girl! :D) Gayla

You're coming to the City?? Hooray! Hooray! I'm so excited! Happy dance! Brooklyn gal here--and I'm going to make it my business to be at the book expo so I can meet you in person Laurie. And hopefully I can drag you around on a yarn crawl and share the secrets of where to find the best pies in town. Only native NYers know the real deal.
Hugs,
christine
ps--stay away from "Ray's Famous Pizza"; it's crap.

If i werer any closer to NYC I would probably be there and being acting like a stupid, asking for your authograph. I am very shy too. I read/check your blog everyday (sometimes more than twice)and for me you are a super star.
Thank you for your book

Oh man! I was planning on going to Book Expo with my very best friend and get free books, geegaws, aprons (seriously!) and other fun things. But I fell and hurt my knee and so it looks like crutches for me and no trips.

Make sure you get out of the booth and grab yourself some free stuff. There's a lot of fun things. I managed to carry out about 50 pounds worth of books in various bookbags, backpacks, etc.

You will have a great time. Boy, do I wish I could go (I'd get killed on the floor; it's a mob scene!). Have fun!

Oh man! I was planning on going to Book Expo with my very best friend and get free books, geegaws, aprons (seriously!) and other fun things. But I fell and hurt my knee and so it looks like crutches for me and no trips.

Make sure you get out of the booth and grab yourself some free stuff. There's a lot of fun things. I managed to carry out about 50 pounds worth of books in various bookbags, backpacks, etc.

You will have a great time. Boy, do I wish I could go (I'd get killed on the floor; it's a mob scene!). Have fun!

Wooo Hoooo!!! You are sooo about to be famous!!!

Wear black.LOL you can never go wrong with black.

I am a southern Yankee.Born in New York ,half raised in Arkansas.
I haven't been there in decades, but my grown kids tell me New York is awesome!I remember when I was about 5 they had taxi's there that had little round stools on the floor ,in the back seat. My brother and I would sit there on those stools ...no seat belts or anything. Riding around New York ,just feeling all rich and fancy.

Have a blast girl!!!
And get a good cat sitter.:)

Congrats on "making friends with the neighbors" too.

By the way, Laurie, the wife of the owner of Town Shop (the