Are you ever recognized when you are out and about? Do you have any funny, interesting stories about being recognized and if I’m ever fortunate enough to see you on an airplane or in an airport how would you like me/others to react? Say hello or leave you alone?
No. Hehe. Writing is the best kind of fame, because while some people know your name, nobody knows what you look like. We had a few times when people recognized us, but I would say probably less than 5 in our entire career.
I do have a funny story but not about me. We were at a convention in an elevator with Beverly Jenkins, who is a legend, and we had all turned our badges around because we were done for the day. A group of women runs into the elevator, look at our badges, and one of them looks at Ms. Beverly, whose amazing career summary you can find here, and asks, “Are you somebody?”
And Ms. Beverly looks her right in the eye and says, “Nope.”
As we were getting ready to board the plane to Austin, we chatted with this lovely woman. A lot of the Austin is techy and geeky, some of it is country, and sometimes both of those happen at the same time, which is what gives Austin its eclectic vibe. This was the other side of Austin, the more conservative wealthier side, house in Westlake, one child in a prestigious college, the other is in a prestigious high school, etc.
We talked politics a bit, and as proper polite Texans, we both tempered our views to meet on the common ground. She asked what we did. We demurred. We asked what she did. She demurred. Then it came out – she is a stay at home wife and mother and we are writers. She asked us if she would have ever heard of us, and I smiled and said, “Probably not.”
This is typical. We are not famous. And if I ever start thinking we’re a big deal, the Universe very quickly checks that by throwing me with some random comment by a well meaning reader who lets us know that so and so’s books and fandom is much bigger. Were you pretty happy with your career? Smack! Hehe.
So if you see us on the plane, feel free to come up, but please remember that you will likely get a non-professional version of us. We are kind of boring.
We may not be famous, but we do have the best readers. One of them, Sarah Sherwood, made a Julie outfit from Blood Heir and it is amazing. You can find her fiber adventure on her blog, Sewing with Music in Mind.
I am so flattered that our work inspired her. To have your books touch off a wave of inspiration that spreads beyond written work is a milestone for a writer. Thank you, Sarah, for this absolute awesomeness.
I dream of cosplaying Caledonia. I haven’t found the right gown pattern yet. But I have found the teeth. I can’t wait until my next convention!
Caldenia. Damn autocorrect! I even looked it up to get it right but …
I saw Jayne Ann Krentz at the Phoenix airport about 2 years ago. I remained calm and did not approach her. This was maybe more for me than her. I really fall apart when I meet a beloved author and I just didn’t think either of us needed that scene on that particular day. I just savored the feeling of seeing her, kind of like a secret but thrilling moment, and continued to wait for my plane.
One of my children is named for Catalina. Her name is Alina since my husband didn’t like the name Catalina. I’m hoping if I ever have another girl to name her Dina Arabella.
I’m also a dahlia breeder and going to name some seedlings after your characters.
I hope you have one named Lynley-Chivers. Not IA, but that Dahlia is one of my favorite characters in UF. It should be a tiny but elegant one.
There will always be those who are more famous, with bigger fandoms, with more achievements under their name than us. But you are loved, as authors and as people, and that’s a huge mark to leave on the world!
There are times when I read about sasaengs, fandoms with demands for
constant interaction, paparazzi, and celebrity stalkers and conclude that fame has a lot of trade offs. It might be nice at first but consistently wondering if someone approaching you is a respectful fan, oblivious to your identity, looking to make money off your fame, or a stalker seems stressful.
I remember you posted an article several years ago when you were researching Magic Breaks and you called Slosburg Hall in Omaha to find out details about the Orpheum Theater, which was integrated into Mishmar. As I recall, the person you were talking with on the phone figured out who you were was was very happy to provide all sorts of details about the theater.
Adorable! I am mostly a college professor. But I am also an actress, model, and stunt woman for film. So, sometimes I do get recognized. I was dating a man between my divorce from an abusive spouse and before meeting my love of my life. Someone came up to us and asked if he had seen me on such and such billboard. I said possibly. My date puffed up like a beta fish. 🙄 Like he had anything to do with it?! Anyway, getting recognized isn’t always good. My face is plastered in a fair number of places, but doesn’t make me special. If only I could write half as well as Ilona and Gordon, it would make me so happy. That would be incredible. I am actually a published author, but non-fiction mostly. They are my heroes. Love them so much! But will not become a stalker.
Love these blog posts!
Love you guys! Taking my “ripper cushions” tote to Dragoncon next week to use as my swag’n’seek bag (and fly the House Andrews flag). Wish you were going to be there! I’m pretty sure I would recognize you, and I would have to tease.
You are famous at least on my mobile phone’s google book and kobo.