What’s the most awkward thing you’ve ever done in front of your favourite author? Have you ever forgot your own name or done a super strange curtsey? Perhaps you’ve misquoted their work or tried to get a book signed that’s already been signed? Whatever your embarrassing story may be, we’ve all been there. Trust us.
We asked our followers on @MaximumPopBooks to share their super awkward meet and greet experiences on Twitter. Loads of bookworms told us some brilliant stories. In fact, they’ll probably have you loling for days. Just take a look at some of these…
Michael Morpurgo doesn’t enjoy selfies 😱 pic.twitter.com/1QRIrms5Eh
— Claire. Sans. Tete. (@clairesanstete) October 5, 2017
went to texas 4 book convetion back in 2006 running around with plastic sword accidently tripped smacked Stephaine meyer with sword oops
— Toni Davis (@tonidavis1983) October 5, 2017
When I met @jk_rowling she said that I looked like the doppelgänger of someone she knew & I swear I actually became a puddle 😂😂😂
— T A S H 🖖🏻 (@NatashaWhearity) October 4, 2017
I met Sally Ride at a signing. I tried to verbalize she’d been my girlhood hero but I broke down, sobbing. She came around table to hug me.
— Aviatrixt ☄ (@Aviatrixt) October 4, 2017
Crying after I met Sarah J Maas with @flickofapage https://t.co/vx24v1KYNI
— Anna 🍁🍂🎃 (@aliterarypotion) October 5, 2017
Bret Easton Ellis blatantly wanted me and my friend to hang out with him after his signing. Convinced myself otherwise. Always regretted it. https://t.co/BCUESBqWf7
— Will Hill (@WillHillauthor) October 4, 2017
That time I met Chris Haughton, monologued about A BIT LOST then shrieked “I’m too excited to talk to you” & ran off. He didn’t say a word. https://t.co/g6LwcmfGbF
— Gobbolinon (@NonPratt) October 4, 2017
I queued for 2 hours in the cold, with flu, to meet Terry Pratchett. When I reached him I nearly passed out & had to sit on his chair. 😳 https://t.co/F5G66VPESS
— Susan (@DuchessStoHelit) October 4, 2017
Waited 2 hours to get my book signed by Laini Taylor and turned out it was already signed 🙄😂 https://t.co/zMpS0K0hF1
— Hollie 🍁🍂 (@hollieeblog) October 4, 2017
I sat behind @malorieblackman at an event and lost my shit on twitter forgetting that she followed me 🙈 https://t.co/44vHYl9Oi1
— Tanya Byrne (@tanyabyrne) October 4, 2017
I just finished the winners trilogy & was meeting Marie Rutkoski &I basically said “you do good words” & grinned. But said nothing else😳😰 https://t.co/yl48ZgqZ1i
— 💙Stephanie V💙 (@bookishlybeauty) October 5, 2017
So many. Almost every interaction I have is a little embarrassing. https://t.co/f05LTT5D2z
— Sam Missingham (@samatlounge) October 5, 2017
I met @jk_rowling when I was a gawky 11-year-old. I was in Germany but had the UK edition of Azkaban for signing. When she picked it up & asked whose it was I blurted ‘MINE I’M ENGLISH HI I LOVE HARRY POTTER’. It was great/mortifying. 🙈 https://t.co/AO3OjR7YIS
— Kes Lupo (@keslupo) October 4, 2017
So many! Lipstick teeth while talking to @veschwab, rushed to @elockhart party & met her red & sweaty, talked about phlegm to @say_shannon 🙈
— Amy (@Burtini) October 4, 2017
I met Sarah J Maas and was so nervous I stood there and said nothing and she just kept repeating my name in a sing song kinda way 😂 https://t.co/PlEazRlUPV
— Amy 🎄❄⛄ (@Amy_Garvie) October 4, 2017
The first time I met @MESalisbury at TSP launch, I didn’t know it was okay to just go up and say hi to Mel. I hovered and only plucked up
— Nicola (@PrythianBworm) October 4, 2017
I met Elizabeth May and was so awkward and embarrassed that @readinghijabsy now has the wrong name signed in her book 😫 sorry gal! https://t.co/R485nL4Acv
— Christine (@weereader) October 4, 2017
I did a weird awkward curtsey as I backed away from meeting Margaret Atwood pic.twitter.com/h3V9pZoYut
— Leanne Wain (@LeanneWain) October 4, 2017
There are too many! Mainly its that the authors can’t hear what I am saying. https://t.co/qBp3ZuE0hb
— Amy (@powisamy) October 4, 2017
The time I finally got to meet Holly Bourne but did nothing besides stare at her because I was too shy to say I loved her work 😂 https://t.co/bw2ReSNjTc
— a. jade 🌙 (@itsamazingamy) October 4, 2017
When I met Rachel Caine I couldn’t form words and literally just stood there grinning at her. She must’ve thought I was weird as hell https://t.co/aWWK4lxtf6
— ash 🌻 (@WILL_HER0NDALE) October 4, 2017
Everyone knows my one: misquoting Neil Gaiman AT actual Neil Gaiman 😔
(He was, as you’d imagine, lovely about it.) https://t.co/X8dQ70I6hc— Maggie Harcourt (@maggieharcourt) October 3, 2017
So next time you’re queueing up to meet your favourite author and mispronounce their name, remember you’re not the only one who’s done it.
Share your embarrassing story in the comments below. You can also follow us @MaximumPopBooks and join in on the bookish convo.