Ann was sun-kissed and relaxed (post-holiday) and I was ragged and clenched (pre-holiday) but it was a wonderful night. Thanks to Vicky and her staff.

It's out. It's gorgeous. 

What a treat: I got to moderate Simon Brett, Frances Brody, Ann Granger, and Ruth Ware in a discussion about the Golden Age. I got to watch Claire MacKintosh win the Book of the Year for I LET YOU GO, I got to hug Erin Mitchell and stare back through two pairs of sunglasses at Ali Karim. And I got kneel at the feet of Outstanding Achievement recipient, Val McDermid.

I can report that this so-called "party town" is full of students working in Starbucks and library volunteers raising money for books.

Can't really call this a day's work: getting to listen to hilarious, whip-smart women like Tammy Kaehler, Alison Singh-Gee, Meg Gardiner, Sarah Bird, Lian Dolan and Vicki Croke talking about elephants, rascally uncles, racing cars, Ambien-related-appearances, Oprah, that time Stephen King read your book on a plane . . . The Literary Guild of orange County Festival of Women Authors was a joy.