 | 17 Jun 09 |
Last weekend I attended the Stoker Awards Banquet in Burbank, California and what an event it was! The Stokers, as some of you might know, is an award given to a writer of dark fiction/literature for outstanding achievement. Because the Stokers involve the horror genre, some people are under the impression that most attendees run around in zombie, vampire, and Freddy Kruger costumes, but nothing could be farther from the truth. You can’t find a more professional group of people, and the panels, workshops, and awards ceremony are second to none. Even the after-hour party costumes were done in great taste. No blood, guts, or gore here folks. And talking about great taste, Heather Graham was at the Stokers, and, as always, she threw one hell of a party that Friday night! There was food, drinks, great music by her band, giveaways, and even a costume contest. Let’s face it, when it comes to throwing a party, no one does it bigger or better than Heather!
Now I’m not a party animal by any means, but I do enjoy them. Where I do go wonky at these events, is when they have a guest of honor I really admire. That’s when I turn into the A-typical fan-girl, hunting autographs and wanting my picture taken with the superstars. And, of course, the Stokers was no exception because one of my favorite authors happened to be a guest of honor–Richard Matheson.
For anyone who may be drawing a blank on the name, Richard Matheson wrote “I Am Legend”, “A Stir of Echoes”, “What Dreams May Come”, and one of his most famous short stories–”Nightmare at 20,000 Feet”– Remember the Twilight Zone episode with William Shatner and the creature he sees on the wing of an airplane that starts ripping through one of the plane’s engines? Classic!
Anyway, I was way pathetic in my scheming to get a moment with the old gentleman (he’s well into his 80s now) and have my picture taken with him and get an autograph. I’d heard he was scheduled to do a limited signing because he tired easily, and that his son, Richard Christian Matheson, along with an event volunteer, planned to stand guard to make sure that as soon as the elder Mr. Matheson tired, he’d be swept away pronto. This news spread like germs in an influenza ward, of course, and people started lining up well ahead of the scheduled signing time, hoping to get in. Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of them. I had an interview scheduled about the same time as the signing, and I was all but frantic that I’d miss this once in a lifetime opportunity. At Mr. Matheson’s age, what were the chances I’d ever get to meet him up close and personal at another event? For all I knew, this might have been his last personal appearance.
But, I’m happy to report, the universe smiled down on me that day. Not only did I get his autograph, I got pictures and even a kiss on the hand! Richard Matheson might be 83 and bound to a wheelchair, but his blue eyes sparkle like those of a thirty-year-old, and that wonderful old gentleman made it his business to sign a book for every person standing in that long, long line. With stars like him, there’s very little chance I’ll ever be cured of this fan-girl affliction—and I’m so damn glad!
Awards banquet. See? No blood, guts, or gore. 
Heather's party
Heather rocking the house!
THE Richard Matheson
I'm such a nerd!
Stoker Burnout
Definitely time to go home . ..
© 2009, Deborah LeBlanc. All rights reserved.
Deborah LeBlanc is an award-winning author and business owner from Lafayette, Louisiana. She's also a licensed death scene investigator and an active member of two national paranormal investigation teams.
She is the president of the Horror Writers Association, president of the Writers' Guild of Acadiana, president of Mystery Writers of America's Southwest Chapter, and an active member of Sisters in Crime, Novelists Inc, and International Thriller Writers Inc. In 2004, she created the LeBlanc Literacy Challenge, an annual national campaign designed to encourage more people to read, and founded Literacy Inc. a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting illiteracy in America’s teens. She also takes her passion for literacy and a powerful ability to motivate to high schools around the country.
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Deb, I love you. I am such a fangirl with certain people. When I went to Reno RWA National and found out Virginia Henley was signing I about fainted. No one told me NAMES would be at this thing. You mean I can talk to her — in person! My knees were shaking when I met her. And she was so sweet. She talked to me for about 5 minutes because no one was in line behind me. I couldn’t understand it, how could the whole room not want to meet Virginia Henley. If the only romance book I had ever read had been The Dragon and the Jewel I would still have wanted to be a romance writer.
by Jill James June 17th, 2009 at 1:54 pmSJ, the hint of that story is just TOOOO juicy! Tell us about the potted tree…
by Deborah LeBlanc June 18th, 2009 at 9:52 amYou know what’s great, Jill? ADMITTING publicly that you’re a fan girl! lol The way I see it, folks can think I’m a nerd till the cows come home, but I’ll have evidence and memories of meeting Mr. or Ms. Superstar for years to come.
by Deborah LeBlanc June 18th, 2009 at 9:54 amMy “embarrassing” fangirl moment came when I met Sam Elliott. I’m sure that potted tree will never be the same.
Mr. Matheson is a legend himself and obviously an old-school gentleman from your description, Deb. Have you washed that hand yet?
by Silver James June 17th, 2009 at 2:26 pmSounds like a wonderful time. It must be so nice to be part of such a group. To be able to meet and talk to someone you admire so much is truly special. Didn’t know Heather Graham was a rocker.
by Patricia Barraclough June 17th, 2009 at 9:12 pmIt was a fabulous time, Patricia. And Heather is SO a rocker! That girl knows how to put on a show and give the audience a performance they won’t soon forget.
by Deborah LeBlanc June 18th, 2009 at 9:55 amDeb, what a terrific story and fabulous pictures!
by Debra Webb June 23rd, 2009 at 5:05 amThanks, Deb.
by Deborah LeBlanc June 23rd, 2009 at 12:28 pm