ICRS Tuesday

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.11.2007

I started the day with a great meeting with Al Hsu, an editor at InterVarsity Press. We discussed Asian Americans—fiction, non-fiction, the church, family. He’s been in publishing for many years and is very wise. We had a great discussion. I also met his wife Ellen, who’s totally nice and is also into card-making!

I wandered the floor and happened to meet Robin Jones Gunn. She asked if I’d eaten yet, and since I hadn’t, said to join her for lunch. On the way to lunch, we met Mark Mynheir, and he gave me a copy of his book, got The Void. Isn’t that cool?

Robin has so much wisdom. I loved having lunch with her. She gave me such good advice, both professionally and spiritually. I hope I’ll get a chance to have lunch or dinner with her at the ACFW conference in September.

I met up with agent Steve Laube, and walked with him to his next meeting, but on the way we were hailed by Cec Murphy and agent Jeff Dunn. Jeff had been the first editor to request my manuscript, at Mount Hermon several years ago when he’d been an editor at RiverOak, and he and I have remained friends. It was fun chatting with them, and then Steve went to his meeting and I let Jeff and Cec continue their own talking.

I wandered the floor again and caught up with Sarah Sumpolec. We were at a doll booth and entered the drawing for that afternoon at 3 p.m., and I won a children’s Bible! I gave it to Sarah.

We swung by the Zondervan booth where Karen Kingsbury was signing, and the line was just mega-long so we didn’t get in it. However, I saw my senior editor Sue Brower, Joyce Ondersma (Author Relations), Karwyn Bursma (Marketing Director), and Karen’s kids Kelsey and Tyler. They were all dressed in SF 49ers jerseys with Alex Smith’s number 11 on them to promote her book coming out in November, Between Sundays, which is about a football player and inspired in part by quarterback Alex Smith.

We stood in line for Catherine Palmer’s, The Briton, and FRANCINE RIVERS got into line behind us!!!! I refrained from gushing, but introduced myself. She was with her daughter Shannon, and Shannon and I chatted while Francine chatted with Sarah and Steve Laube, who happened by.


Francine Rivers, her daughter Shannon, and me

While we stood in line to get Melody Carlson’s book, These Boots Weren’t Made for Walking, a guy recognized me and started talking about my book. Stuart McGuiggan is a Key Account Manager for WaterBrook Multnomah, and he loves Christian fiction. We had a great time discussing good books we’ve read lately, and he’s excited to read Sushi for One. I was so thrilled to talk to him!


Melody Carlson and me

I chatted in Starbucks with Sarah, her husband, and also Jennifer Schuchmann, who joined us. Then I had a great dinner with my agent Wendy Lawton, Janet Kobobel Grant, Sue Brower, and ZonderKIDZ senior editor Barbara Scott.

After dinner, I got to talking first with Jeanne Wynn (Wynn-Wynn Media), then with Chip MacGregor (MacGregor Literary), Andy Meisenheimer (Zondervan), and Beth Jusino (Alive Communications). We were joined first by Kathleen Y’Barbo, Cathy Marie Hake, and Kelly Eileen Hake, then by Sigmund Brouwer. I had never met Sigmund and when I found out who he was, I managed not to gush too much, but at least I didn’t gush as much as Andy. ;)

Chip abandoned us to meet with someone at the Westin, so Beth and I went to get a drink at the bar and saw Steve Laube at a table surrounded by his harem, which consisted of Kathleen, Cathy, Kelly, and Tracey Bateman. Andy and Susan May Warren joined us later.

Susie had been waiting on a couple, and when they arrived, she introduced us. It was noisy and I didn’t notice at first when they arrived, but then she introduced me to the guy, I said hi, she said, “This is Ted Dekker and his wife LeeAnn.” Then I really did gush, I’m ashamed to say, but he took it in stride. He then got into an intense discussion with Steve, so I was unable to embarrass myself further.


Sigmund Brouwer and Andy Meisenheimer


Me and Beth Jusino


Me and Chip MacGregor

Continued: ICRS Wednesday