Meeting Augusten: I Better Not Cry

Here's another new thing for me: a book signing.

I have been a big fan of Augusten Burroughs since I serendipitously discovered Running With Scissors back in 2004 as a reading companion on my way to Long Island from NYC through my LIRR commute. I didn't even know that the writer was gay until I read the book. This book only intensified my love for memoirs since I began reading David Sedaris. There's something about this genre that really fascinates me -- the ability of the writer to gratuitously share himself to the world.

I have collected every book by Augusten and has shared him to my boyfriend. I have stalked him through his website and via Twitter, too. When I missed his bookstore appearances last year with A Wolf At The Table, I vowed to myself that I would never miss the next one. And here we are.

The book is called You Better Not Cry, a collection of essays about Christmas. I propped myself up in Barnes & Noble Union Square five hours before the reading and signing time which was scheduled at 7. I know, too early. But it was actually worth it. I sat on the second row knowing full well that my books are guaranteed signed. With that amount of time, I was able to actually finish the book. Every now and then, reps of B&N would remind us on how to go about with the signing (no flash photography, no other items to be signed other than the author's catalog).

Augusten came promptly at 7 and I could almost hug him. Days before the start of the book tour, he tweeted that he had broken up with his long-time partner. Also, the last two stories of the book were totally heart-wrenching. He came up and started reading some parts of the chapter, Ask Again Later. I couldn't stop staring. I knew from his books that he's 6'2" and bald and have seen pictures of him on his website but now, in the flesh, he looks real hot. Q&A was next and by the time I had thought out a question, time was up.

Next was the signing. I bought two copies of the book, one for me and one for my boyfriend. I also brought his other book, Dry, which was a personal favorite. Little did I know that he was gonna sign every book brought to the table. I had enumerated things that I was gonna say to him and had them memorized. Knowing me, I would have stuttered and made a fool out of myself if I wasn't prepared.

When my time came, I literally said my piece like this:

1. I'm wearing a James Anthony shirt. Thank you for that. (Augusten endorses this tee shirt artist and I bought it early in the year. Check out my Twitter page.)

2. You inspired me to write. (He really did. Along with David Sedaris.)

3. I know the title says You Better Not Cry, but the last two stories made me cry. (I didn't really but it's the whole idea of being immensely affected by the essays.)

Then I pointed out to him that the other book was for my boyfriend. He liked my boyfriend's name and I had to explain a little bit about it. We took a quick picture, despite earlier announcements that we weren't supposed to. It was legit though -- the girl who made the announcement offered to take our picture. Only the picture was horrible. I think the girl accidentally changed the settings of my camera plus the 'no flash' rule.

Augusten seemed really sweet and gracious as he was listening to me and offered his responses, which I don't exactly remember now. He said something about getting compliments for his James Anthony shirts as well and we both agreed that the shirts rocked. He also mentioned that "it's actually a trick title," referring to the book and then said "Thank you" about the inspiration thingy. The whole thing was really intense for me. He is one of my personal heroes, although clearly not the perfect role model, and meeting him was just totally incredible. I called my boyfriend and immediately recounted the event. I still couldn't believe it. Oh well. I better not cry.

during the reading

during Q&A

In color, this pic looked horrible. Better this way.

I think he wrote "With Much Love" (?)