Bevy of Audrey Hepburns take over Greenwich Village
June 9, 2008
Dear Friends and Family,
I had an assistant (for a day)!
Last Thursday, I had my first reading for Holly Would Dream in New York City. Everyone was invited to come in their best little black dresses and they looked fabulous! My friend Joanne Porzio decided to be my assistant, which mainly consisted of sitting on the toilet while I put on my make up. I LOVE having an assistant! George and Scott gave me a genuine Audrey do (tiara and all), while Schuyler worked her liner magic to give me cat eyes. Another friend, Smita Paul came over to film the event, so while we were in the car Joanne and I squeezed together and had several pretend conversations for the camera. This was the first time I ever went to one of my New York City book signings by car instead of subway. I’m moving up in the world!
My Public Awaited me!
When we arrived at the bookstore (Barnes and Noble in Greenwich Village), Smita jumped out first so she could film Joanne and I exiting the limo (really a town car). Then, to my surprise, a big crowd of my friends had gathered in their little black dresses and holding signs that said, “The Karen Quinn Fan Club.” They were screaming with excitement and people on the street gathered to see what was going on. My friend, Juicy Judy, who looked amazing, acted like she was seeing the Beatles (which she kind of was, except that I’m one person and not a band - otherwise, we’re very much alike). Everyone walking by was laughing and smiling and taking pictures of us with their cell phone cameras. Let me tell you, if you can get people’s attention in Greenwich Village, you’ve arrived (they’ve seen it all). It was such a blast! I had to re-exit the car and look surprised a few extra times so we could get it on tape. I’m so happy we filmed this because now it is all a blur.
By the time I got upstairs, people were all lined up and I began to sign. I’ve never had to sign BEFORE an event started. My friend, Penny brought beautiful flowers from her own garden, so my signing space was gorgeous. I signed for forty-five minutes and then began my reading.
My reading
Donna, from Barnes and Noble, introduced me. It was so wonderful looking out on a sea of Audrey Hepburns (really, my friends dressed like her). For those of you who were there, you looked amazing and I thank you for going all out like you did. What fun! I read the prologue from the book, which is inspired by the movie, Sabrina. Then I told some of the many true stories that inspired scenes from the book. One story involved my friend, Julie Nelson, who sang opera on a yacht while sailing in Santorini. So Julie graced us with the same aria she sang on that beautiful day in Greece. People laughed; they cried. No, really, they did. They laughed at what I said and cried when Julie sang (it was that beautiful).
Truth is stranger than fiction!
For those of you who were there, do you know the story I told about the man who died on the cruise ship and his wife who continued the trip and met another man by the end? One of our friends who was at the reading came up to me after and told me that the man who died was her grandfather. I won’t say who it was, because I don’t know if she wants me to, but can you believe that? Apparently the woman was her step-grandmother and she married the guy she took up with on the ship.
There are many more photos to see!
Click here to look at ALL the photos from the reading!(http://karenquinn1.angelfire.com/karen_quinns_holly_w/)
I’m having a bit of trouble getting my photos of the reading into the newsletter (calling all word-press pros — HELP!), so I put the pictures on one of those free display sites and you can take a look at them. It was the most fun evening, as I’m sure you’ll be able to tell from the pics. I’ll be at the Tattered Cover in Denver on June 17 and Barnes and Noble in Wilmington, NC on July 10.
By the way, if you haven’t gotten your copy of Holly Would Dream yet, be sure to order a NEW copy today from Barnesandnoble.com or Amazon.com.
Note received yesterday from a random reader
“I love it.
I want to be Holly.
You’re so amazing, Karen! [note from KQ: ahem, yes, thank you it's true]
I wanna do something I love, you’re so inspiring!
But I LOVE LOVE it, having so much fun reading it.
Only complaint I have is that it’s going to fast.”
Okay, this note actually came from Stacey, my stalker. But she wouldn’t have said she loved it unless she meant it. She’s NOT that kind of stalker.
So go buy your book now if you haven’t already. Remember, the holidays are just around the corner (how often can you get such a fun gift for $11?) And be sure to look at the photos from the first reading. They are gorgeous. Thank you Nancy and Penny for taking them.
xxxoo
Karen
I’m Alicia’s friend who was helping her the Sister Goddess event — it was such a joyous, inspiring experience to meet you and all the women at the event, and of course to spend time with Alicia (who is a Goddess and Sister to all of us).
I was so sorry I couldn’t make it to your book signing, but I ordered Holly Would Dream on June 3 through Amazon and can’t wait to read it when I go to Cape Cod (my only time to actually relax and read more than 3 pages at a time) — it sounds fabulous and I adore the book cover! I’m looking forward to reading your other books too. I’ll email you when I return from vacation (late July).
I was so touched by your story on the website — I had a similar experience with my artwork — I was an art major and then worked as a secretary for about 20 years, thinking “no one makes a living as an artist” — and then I had a chance to write for an arts magazine (inbetween) — I started meeting artists who were really living as artists!
One in particular really made me want to go for it, although she didn’t know it at the time (I had only met her once or twice). I was so overwhlemed by her work and spirit (so down to earth and pure in approach to her work) — I wished that one day I could be in her world. Once I focused thought on it, I started to get opportunities to teach here and there as an artist in residence, and in 2004 I had my first curating opportunity. I left my secretarial job and I’ve been a “working” artist ever since. I work part time for a gallerist I adore (I actually met her while teaching), teach art part time and I’m curating my second exhibit for this September (of course I’ll send you an invitation in case you have time). The most amazing thing is that the artist who inspired all this, by coincidence happens to be respresented by my gallerist, who put us in an exhibit together — it was life changing for me. She is now one of the artists that will be in my upcoming
exhibit (beyond blissful) and I’ve been able to tell her how much she has affected my life as an artist.
Well, now I get to tell you how much you’ve inspired me!
Have an exciting summer…
Tina Fiddle
Tina Fiddle, June 10 2008