Maggie Stiefvater Signing in Oshawa and Giveaway!

5:55 PM

On Saturday (July 16), I was able to attend the first of three stops on the Canadian stretch of Maggie Stiefvater's author tour promoting the release of Forever, the final novel in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. 

I arrived at Chapters Oshawa just over an hour early, quickly grabbing a seat and settling in for the wait. The stage was already prepared, music was playing, and everyone around me was chatting excitedly! While we were waiting, many people were admiring the Sharpie guitar that Maggie had brought to give away during her Canadian stay and filling out ballots for entry. (I read on Twitter that the guitar has since been won by a teen girl during the last event at Chapters South London... ) And I was excited because I got to meet two fellow book bloggers! After missing them at the Dystopian Tour at Indigo Yorkdale in May, I finally got to meet Mel from He Followed Me Home... Can I Keep Him? and Jackie from My Ever Expanding Library! It was so nice meeting both of them and getting to chat with them in person!

In no time at all, it was 12 p.m. and Maggie Stiefvater was greeted enthusiastically to the front of the stage with plenty of applause! Maggie was all smiles as she began talking about the epic road trip journey she was partaking with her best friend Tessa Gratton, whose debut novel Blood Magic was released only a couple months ago. Maggie then jumped into telling us some stories that had everyone laughing and eyes glued up front as she spoke with lots of animation. She was absolutely hilarious and when I wasn't laughing, I couldn't stop smiling!! She seemed so comfortable on stage speaking to everyone, moving around and gesturing wildly with fun expressions as she talked about past book tour experiences and the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy.

Maggie began telling us about a time when she was in the UK on tour and how students from several schools had come by bus to see her. When the time came for questions, no one would speak up! And when questions did come, they didn't ask about her novels... they asked about more mundane things like how her flight and hotels were... and that she had a cool accent. So she first wanted to point out that she was: a) driving to all the events, b) their hotels were great, and c) she was aware she had a cool accent. She told us not to be afraid to ask questions when the time came!

Next, Maggie told us about the first time she heard Linger, the second novel in the trilogy, had become a New York Times Bestseller. She was boarding a small plane with her family and waiting for any news if the book had made the list via phone from her editor. The flight attendant was telling everyone to turn off their cell phone's but Maggie got the call at the last moment and heard the novel had landed at the #1 spot! She wasn't supposed to be using the phone so she had to contain her excitement... 

Afterwards, Maggie talked about writing Forever and the kind of research she did for the novel. She searched online about wolves and found a website where they talked about the different ways that wolves had died in the past (there are many!), and found a particular one that she thought would be a terrible way to die. So, of course, she thought it would be a good idea to base some of what she read and use it in the novel knowing it would probably shake up some of her readers. She also told us about her cool experience meeting some wolves up close in Hungary where she got to see the pack hierarchy in action for herself.

Continuing to chat about Forever, she said she had submitted Forever two weeks before her deadline but she wasn't satisfied with what she had written.. so she ended up re-writing her draft of Forever and changing the ending. Originally, there had been a scene where Sam woke up to find gasoline on himself and his house was about to be set on fire by Shelby!

Maggie began taking questions from the audience afterwords! A question was asked about the book titles for the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, and we learned that Shiver had originally been called Still Wolf Watching. Scholastic, her publisher, didn't really like the title though so they asked her to change the name and it became Shiver. We also learned an interesting fact about the cover for Forever! The cover used to be a brighter red and featured maple leaves, but Maggie thought it made the book seem like it was set in Canada when it wasn't, so the cover was changed in that regard. She also thought Sam's jeans looked too skinny and he wasn't the type to wear skinny jeans... but they didn't change that though. It's nice to hear that Maggie had some involvement with how the Forever cover came to be! 

Maggie also said that she had always wanted to be a writer since a young age and shared some earlier story ideas that she had. One of the earliest stories she had ever written involved two Scottish terriers who were driving a red Porsche. Another story she wrote as a teenager involved soldiers, bystanders and a dog in place in front of a flag pole. She turned the tables by asking us a question, wanting to hear who we thought the POV was written in. Everyone began shouting answers, with many of them being the dog... but then she quieted the audience and said, "The flag!" It was so unexpected! She remembered how she had ended the story saying how the flag didn't care what was happening to the others because it was, well, a flag. 

A question was also asked about her characters and Maggie said that she liked to write about Cole because he reminded her of herself when she was in college. She talked about how Isabel is the opposite of Grace, and how Shelby (wants to be a wolf) and Cole (bad boyfriend) were opposites of Sam (holds onto humanity, good boyfriend).

Before I knew it, it was time for the book signing! I had barely noticed the time flying by because I was enjoying myself too much listening to Maggie to notice! I wasn't as nervous as I usually am (an improvement!) but I don't think I'll ever get over being rather shy. Maggie was so kind and friendly though when it was my turn to get my books signed! She was also giving away some swag to everyone patiently waiting in line too.


And I couldn't leave without saying "Hi!" to Tessa Gratton! She was incredibly nice and friendly too... and she signed my copy of Blood Magic! I was also able to ask her about The Blood Keeper, the companion novel to Blood Magic, which is set for release next year. She told me that it was set a few years after the events in Blood Magic but it wouldn't center on Nick and Silla this time around. However, some of the characters will be making a return! 


Thanks so much to Maggie Stiefvater and Tessa Gratton for making the journey up North to visit some of your fans in Canada! Also, lots of thanks definitely go out to Chapters Oshawa and Scholastic Canada for hosting such an awesome event!

Here are some other recaps from more Canadian bloggers you can read too! If I see more summaries of the Ontario events pop up, I'll be sure to add them below:
***** 

And I did mention there would be a giveaway, right? I'll be giving away ONE SIGNED COPY OF FOREVER! To enter this giveaway, you must be a FOLLOWER and it will be open INTERNATIONALLY. The last day to enter will be AUGUST 8, 2011 after which point I'll choose a winner using a random number generator. I will send an email to the winner for their mailing address and they'll have 48 hours give or take to respond back. (And yes, you'll get an extra entry just for commenting on this post!)

To enter, PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM and you'll be all set to go! Good luck!

-GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED-
-> Winner has been announced! <-  

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I'm a Canadian girl with a passion for reading! When I'm not escaping reality with a new book, I love to listen to Korean pop music or get addicted to Korean/Chinese dramas.

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52 comments

  1. Literary ChanteuseJuly 18, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    How Cool! I've never been to a book signing.

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  2. michelle sJuly 18, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    You are so lucky to have had the opportunity to see Maggie...I am so jealous right now.
    I have only ever been to 1 book signing, Rachel Caine last year in Bradford UK

    Thanks for holding the giveaway

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  3. AveryJuly 18, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    I was so nervous too (especially because a) it was my first signing and b) I was the first in line)! Glad to hear that you had a great time! Thanks for linking to my post!

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  4. EvieJuly 18, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    What an amazing opportunity!
    And thanks a lot for sharing with us.

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  5. AnonymousJuly 18, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    I'm glad you had an amazing time! I'm glad that you mentioned Tessa would be there or I would have completely regretted not bringing my copy of Blood Magic. Thank you for linking to my recap, Liz!

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  6. Audrey (holes In My brain)July 18, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    Fab recap, it was so much fun to read :) Thanks so much for sharing, and it looked like such a fun event!

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  7. The Crazy BookwormJuly 18, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Another great recap, Liz! Hopefully you and me will be meeting up at one of these signings! So glad you got to meet Tessa Gratton, too. What a great day, glad you had fun!!

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  8. ChrystalJuly 18, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    Mel and Jackie were a lot of fun when I met them too. :)
    Sounds like you had a great experience and that I missed out. I love reading your posts about book signings - you always write them with so much detail and share the greatest parts of them.

    Thanks!

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  9. LlehnJuly 18, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Awesome post. Wish I were there! I hope to meet Maggie and Tessa in person someday.

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  10. Laura (All the Word's a Page)July 19, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    You're so lucky! I wish I could've made one of the events. Hopefully I'll be able to make more author events once I'm living closer to Toronto.

    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  11. UnknownJuly 19, 2011 at 1:09 AM

    Wow, you are so lucky! I am reading the series for the first time and I can tell it is going to be on my favorites shelf. Maggie Stiefvater has such a beautiful writing style. :)

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  12. Carina L. TaiJuly 19, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    Very cool! Maggie Stiefvater is a sensational YA author! I have yet to buy my own copy of Forever, but I'm getting there :)

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  13. TheGirlOnFireJuly 19, 2011 at 2:07 AM

    I would so have loved to go to this. I don't know if I can wait until august to read this though!

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  14. A Canadian GirlJuly 19, 2011 at 2:09 AM

    Lol, I can't believe she wrote from a flag's POV. I think that would be a fun story to read on a bad day.

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  15. DaisyJuly 19, 2011 at 2:36 AM

    You're so lucky! I would love to have authors come here so I can get my books signed!
    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  16. Loony LinhJuly 19, 2011 at 2:48 AM

    Glad you had a such a great time! Why don't authors ever come to sign books near my place?! lol.

    Thanks for the giveaway ;)

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  17. VivienJuly 19, 2011 at 3:59 AM

    You're so lucky! I definitely would have loved to go to this!

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  18. JessJuly 19, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    I can't wait to read this series! Thanks for the giveaway :D

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  19. Mel (He Followed Me Home)July 19, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    Aww, it was so nice to finally meet you too Liz!! What a great recap, I think you covered EVERYTHING :D

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  20. Texas Book LoverJuly 19, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    Wow...I have heard that Maggie is one of the best authors to meet...lucky you!

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  21. JanhviJuly 19, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    thank you so much for this giveaway and for opening it internationally!!

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  22. Jenny N.July 19, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    I knew Maggie Stiefvater was going to be in Ontario but had no idea that Tessa Gratton would be there too. It makes the signing doubly awesome :)

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  23. Reader Unfolded July 19, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    You are so lucky to always be going to these signings. I am so jealous of you! Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  24. BrittanyGaleJuly 19, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    You are so lucky!!! Thanks for the giveaway :D

    quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  25. AnonymousJuly 19, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    Can't wait to read it! You are so lucky to have met her!

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  26. Sarah C.July 19, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    I haven't read this series and I'm dying to read it!! Thanks for the Giveaway!!

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  27. SoniaJuly 19, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    She wrote from the point of view of a FLAG? Ha, I remember a story I wrote in grade five from the POV of a piece of paper. It was crumpled, thrown, tossed in the trash, etc. Poor inanimate objects and their angst-filled lives.

    Thanks for the giveaway! I'm glad you had such a great time at the event :)

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  28. alovelywriterxoJuly 19, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    You are such a lucky duck! :D Thanks for the giveaway!

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  29. IdentitySeekerJuly 19, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    I am sooo envious! I've been dying to get my hands on a copy of Forever and, not only have you managed to do just that (signed, no less), but you MET Maggie in the flesh! Sigh! I could only ever hope to be that lucky. Maggie sounds like such a fun person and I'm amazed that she wrote a story from a flag's POV. That takes a lot of creativity!

    Thanks for the giveaway:)

    Sarah

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  30. LisaJuly 19, 2011 at 11:14 PM

    Thanks so much for the giveaway and making it international! :)

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  31. AnonymousJuly 20, 2011 at 12:53 AM

    Thank you for the great giveaway! I would love this book forever :)~Krystal Larson

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  32. winnieJuly 20, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    Thanks for sharing your experience! I really enjoyed reading your recap because it sounds like it was a great event. Thank you also for the awesome giveaway! :)

    Winnie
    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

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  33. ChelJuly 20, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    You're so lucky you got to see Maggie. She's one of the authors I'd really want to meet.

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  34. Gwenyth LoveJuly 20, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    I was there too! I believe you were in the row right in front of me. What a great event!

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  35. Cassandra @ Book & Movie Dimension a BlogJuly 20, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    Love Maggie. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  36. UnknownJuly 21, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    Picture me jealous, because I absolutely love Maggie and I think her world building and writing style is unique and amazing. I've been a fan of hers for a long time now and I love anything and everything she writes, including the short stories she posts on livejournal with The Merry Sister's of Fate. They are all so wonderful and I think it's fantastic that you're sweet enough to be hosting this giveaway and even more awesome that you got to meet her. :)

    Suz @ A Soul Unsung
    Check out my Third Sentence Thursday!
    What am I waiting on Wednesday for?
    Tweet Me!

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  37. JackieJuly 21, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    I started reading your post the other day but got distracted and have just now had a chance to finish reading it. What a great write-up you did of the event. I'm normally on top of things but made absolutely no notes while I was there! The talk seemed so short but I think this is cause i would love to sit down and chat with Maggie; pick her brain a little, you know? It was great meeting you too! I'm sure we'll be seeing each other at future events :)

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  38. SpavJuly 21, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    I would have loved to meet Maggie. You're so lucky!

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  39. KhylaJuly 23, 2011 at 1:42 AM

    Thank you so much for the giveaway!! :)

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  40. Pokadots1121July 23, 2011 at 2:02 AM

    Thanks for this I really want to read Forever.

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  41. Lisa Richards/alterlisaJuly 25, 2011 at 3:09 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    I'm a follower on GFC-Lisa Richards
    Does it count if I wish I was a Canadian resident :)

    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

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  42. Shyia MaganJuly 25, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway!!! I am in love with this series and I really REALLY want to read the last one!! Thanks

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  43. Hoot aka JessyJuly 26, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    Thank you for the giveaway. The book sounds good.

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

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  44. Kimberly (ksmeza)July 26, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    I have never gone to a book event :( What I would give to go to a Maggie one! Well thanks for offering a signed copy, I truly appreciate it! :)

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  45. Shirley @ My BookshelfJuly 28, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    That would have been amazing to attend. Thank you for sharing this event with us.

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  46. Rave Bunny July 29, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    How cool! Would have loved to been there. :)

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  47. AnonymousJuly 31, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    Sounds like a great event!! Wish I could have been there as well :-)

    Thanks for the chance at the giveaway.

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  48. Laura HartnessAugust 3, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    Wow! Awesome post-- and thanks for the giveaway!

    Laura Hartness

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  49. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 1:14 AM

    This sounds like a book I'd enjoy reading. Thanks for the giveaway!
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  50. KarenAugust 5, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    Thanks so much for this sweet giveaway!

    golfgirl96@gmail.com

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  51. latishajeanAugust 7, 2011 at 5:45 AM

    Thank you so much for the great giveaway!

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  52. PiaAugust 7, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    I'm very interested in Forever, because I only have this as a ebook and I prefer real books. :) I'm so excited how this series will end!

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