Joss Whedon and the ARC
I'm trying to play catch-up after Comic-Con and still slightly dazed by my encounter with Joss, but wanted to share the story. Penguin is publishing an Anthology entitled Many Bloody Returns edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni Kelner. It’s dedicated to Joss. When we found out he would be at Comic-Con, the plot was hatched. Get a copy of the ARC to Joss. Since I have a story in the book, and would be attending as well, the task fell to me.
As expected, Joss' signing was by lottery only and since they were only allowing 75 in line, my odds were pretty high. The numbers were drawn, mine was not among them and I'm standing there wondering if I had enough cash with me to buy my way in when a voice at my shoulder says, "Aren't you Jeanne Stein?"
Well, NO one has ever recognized me in a crowd so I turned around and there was a woman standing there and she got so excited. My first thought was, there's got to be another Jeanne Stein around here that's a famous author. But she actually meant me. Anyway, we started to chat and she had the coveted green wristband that meant she was a winner. She asked me if I got a number, too and I said no and explained that besides being a fan, I also had something to present to him.
Well, Kristine Bochum (that's her name) said, "Oh, you've got to get in. Come
with me."
So off we go to find the manager of the Dark Horse booth, Kristine introduces me as a “well known” author, I explained I had an ARC of an anthology dedicated to Joss, and the guy says, "Of course you can meet Joss. Just get in line with Kristine and if someone questions it, tell them to find Mark."
I couldn't believe it!!! The upshot was, Joss got the ARC, said he was touched and appreciative, I got Buffy Season 8 #1 signed, comics signed for friends Susan and Vicki, a picture taken, and am still glowing!!! Now where is the ARC in the picture, you may ask. Good question. Shows you how completely star struck I was. The ARC is on the table in front of us and out of camera range.
But to me, the mission was still a complete success. Needless to say, I took Kristine to dinner and will remember her forever!!
As a postscript, I was leaving Joss' line and honest to God, another woman taking pictures stuck her hand out to me and said, "Jeanne, I love your books."
What a wonderful feeling. For just a little while, I knew how Charlaine Harris or Mario Acevedo must feel ALL the time. It's so awesome!
I took some notes during the Joss panel-- it was in a ballroom and dark so my handwriting (which is horrible at best) was difficult to decipher. But here are some of the things he said-- you may already know all this stuff but it was new to me.
There's going to be a Ripper movie! Anthony Stewart Head will appear in the BBC TV movie but no further details were given.
There will be a Buffy Season 9 comic and an Angel Season 6.
He’s is finishing the score for a short film he’ll be directing called The Serving Girl starring Summer Glau-- It's a ballet!
Joss and Drew Goddard have written a horror script together called A Cabin in the Woods. He called it a horror film "to end all horror films." Knowing how he abhors the slasher, torture kind of thing (mercifully, Captivity died a quick death in theaters) it should be interesting!
One of the best questions by the audience was which character do you regret most killing off? Tara was one. In fact, there was an episode planned for the last Buffy season where someone (I think it was Buffy but I'm not sure) was granted a wish and at the end of the episode, Willow turns around and Tara is there. Amber's film conflicts made it a no-go.
Anya was mentioned, too, of course, and Wash in Serenity.
But now, of course, it’s back to reality. I’m still on the road, will be for the next week, signing stock at bookstores and signing in San Diego at Mysterious Galaxy this evening (Friday) and Dark Delicacies and Mystery & Imagination tomorrow. If any of you are in the San Diego or LA areas, details are on my website.
I also want to thank my readers in the Denver area. Last week, Blood Drive made the Denver Post PB bestseller list—#4. You guys made it happen.