MY LADY JANE premiere
Soooo many photos of fanciness!
This is not an unusually long email for me (you know how I can go on . . . ), but it might be too big to send fully because of the photos! If it cuts off, you can check out the web version. <3
Anyway, let me take you along with me to the premiere of MY LADY JANE. . . .
Sunday morning, my alarm went off at 3:45AM. I fell out of bed, stumbled around for coffee, and took enough of a shower that I wouldn’t offend people who had to be near me. Most of a cup of coffee and half an hour later, I was out the door and in the car that Prime had sent to fetch me. (At the end of my road, I remembered the item I’d forgotten to pack — a cardigan — and instantly felt better because I could stop wondering what I’d forgotten.)
Then I was on my first first-class flight and on my way across the country to LA.12
When I landed, I met up with Agent Lauren (my plus one for the event!) and we hopped in yet another fancy car and headed to the Sunset Tower Hotel, where everyone was staying for the premiere. After freshening up, we met Cynthia and Brodi in the restaurant, because holy moly were some of us hungry after airplanes for seven hours.3
It . . . has been so long since we were all together. When I say we were giddy to see each other again, please imagine squealing, clapping, and lots of hugs. It was so good to finally see them again — and for this! The premiere of the show adaptation of our first book together!
You probably know the story.
We started this journey twelve years ago when we first met on tour, for my and Brodi’s first book and Cynthia’s second. It was an instalove friendship. When you know, you know. And then a year later, Cynthia tirelessly set about getting us to write a book with her — a romantic comedy about a tragedy, and with magic! And after that, we skipped Disneyland in favor of writing the first chapters at the library. I still haven’t been to Disneyland, you know. But no regrets. None at all. 21/10 would skip again.
There was film interest before the book came out. A production company optioned it, but nothing came of it, and eventually the option expired. It was a hard time for YA films, and honestly, we’d known it was a long shot. We’d set aside hope on that front as we moved on to writing our other books.
But two and a half years after the book released, we got an email from our film agent letting us know about serious interest. Soon, we had a phone call with Gemma Burgess and Laurie MacDonald, and Gemma was telling us how she’d seen a young lady reading MY LADY JANE on the subway, the book inches from her face. Gemma ordered her own copy, knew she wanted to make a TV show out of it, and so — once all the appropriate paperwork was signed — she did.
Gemma spent years championing the show. She wrote and rewrote the pilot. They shopped the script around and found more people who loved it. Prime was on board. And still, we knew it was a long shot. We knew so many wonderful shows and films never get made, in spite of the passionate creatives behind them.
But then they said yes again.
Yes, green light.
Yes, make it.
And years later we were in LA, the three of us finally together again to see our first book transformed for the screen.
We spent the afternoon going back and forth to each other’s rooms, hanging out, and playing with the hotel steamers.4
Monday morning, Cynthia, Brodi, and I had breakfast with Gemma. This was my first time meeting her in person. After years of texting and Zooming about the show, I already knew I’d love her, but oh it was so good to get hugs and chitchat like old friends. It truly felt like hanging out with the fourth Lady Janie.
We spent the rest of the morning and afternoon getting ready for the premiere — and watching the afterparty setup from the window in Lauren’s room, like creepers.5
Hair and makeup done, we got dressed and took a few photos together.
Then we were on our way to the Director’s Guild!
I’d never seen a red carpet situation before, so I was really curious how it worked. It actually turned out to be really straightforward!
Our talent handler (wild) coordinated everything as we walked into the lobby, where the wall with all the images and branding was set up. It was super crowded with cast, crew, press, influencers, and other guests, and when it was our turn to walk the red carpet (it was black), we first took photos with the Getty photographer, then scooted down the line of other press. They told us where to look (at them), occasionally offered tips (hold the book up), and (thankfully) seemed interested in catching the best shots of a bunch of red-carpet newbies.
Eventually, we scooted past the final photographer, our handler (hey Salem!) whisked us away and gave us bottles of water (thanks, Salem!), and we chatted and met up with an author friend who’d been able to attend (hi Alexa!). Then, because there was just enough time for solo shots (rather than group shots), we went back to the red carpet and did another quick round.
After that, our handler took us into the theater and found our seats. While we waited for everyone to get in, we chatted, took a bunch more photos, and then, at last, the lights dimmed. Two of the executive producers (Laurie and Sarah) came onto the stage and spoke for a few minutes, introducing everyone. (And yes they gave a shout out to the book and authors!) Then Gemma and Meredith (they are co-showrunners — love that!) came out and spoke (also with a shout out to the book and authors!).
Finally, the lights went out and the show started. And it was wonderful. The theater was full of laughs, incredible energy, and (when a character put his gross foot on the table, or when one tasted “blood”) physical recoiling. The show itself was a delight! The pacing was perfect, the dialogue was spot on, and the characters were fantastic. And the overall look of the sets and wardrobe . . . immaculate. The yarny in me was nearly in tears from how beautiful the costumes were.
By the time the second episode ended, I felt somehow even more confident in this adaptation. It’s a different medium and a different structure, so you expect some changes, but this really stayed true to the heart of the book and characters. I truly think that if you love the book, you’ll love the show, too. And if you love the show, you’ll love the book!
After the show, we went to the afterparty back at the hotel. And hooooly moly was it glam.
Okay, Substack is telling me I should wrap it up because of email size (probably all these photos), so I’ll just say . . . the rest of the night was a ton of fun. Yes, we got to meet several of the actors. Yes, they were all wonderful. Yes, I love them all now.
We took photos at the photo booth that was set up — a throne flanked by two suits of armor, and there were a ton of props you could choose from — and chatted with everyone we could. We got to tell Gemma how much we enjoyed the show. It all felt like a dream, honestly. Like something that happens to other people.
Eventually, though, it was definitely time to call it a night. It was late, and Lauren and I both had early flights out. (Once again, the car was arriving at 4:15AM.) So after saying goodbye and taking one last look around, we headed up. It took me a long time to wind down — and take my hair down and makeup off, hah. I packed. And then I went to sleep for a couple hours.
The alarm went off waaaay too early (exactly at 3:45AM, when I’d set it — insert sobbing emoji), and I dragged myself out for a long day of flying across the continent again. (There were no dogs on my return flight, but there were delays. Bleh.)
Now I’ve had a couple of days to recover from the travel, see most of the show (watching the final episode tonight!), and think about how amazing the entire experience was. I got to see my friends. Meet several of the wonderful, passionate people who put years of their lives into making something so fun — based on a book my friends and I wrote! I got to dress up and walk the red carpet. This is something that doesn’t happen to everyone. I can hardly believe that it happened to me. But I’m so grateful. It was such an amazing and unforgettable experience.
Anyway, I’m really finishing this up now. Hope you love MY LADY JANE. <3
Some fun links:
A fantastic review of the show in Variety.
This excellent review from Collider which mentions the book quite a lot!
The New York Times has a great article about the show (gift link). My favorite line from the article (besides the one that mentions the book and authors, obvs.): “And oh, yes: The show has human characters who turn into horses, dogs, snakes and other animals. (Those didn’t really exist).”
Check out this great reel Alexa made: you can get a lot of the cool details, including the red carpet, hear Laurie shout out to us authors, and see the stunning decorations at the afterparty.
Cosmopolitan has an exclusive excerpt from MY SALTY MARY — the first and second prologues! (Yes, there are two. We do what we want.)
The My Lady Jane on Prime insta has tons of great videos, story highlights of the premieres, and some behind-the-scenes details.
Oh man, did I keep waiting for them to spot me as a first-class fraud and send me back to economy triple minus, but they never bothered.
There was a cute dog on my second flight!
I’d had half a frozen breakfast sandwich before I left, but then got a text that the car had arrived so I shoved it at my husband and chugged my coffee instead. I don’t know if that was a good idea or not. And they did feed us on the one plane — first class! — but those eggs were definitely feeling like a distant memory by the time we got to the hotel!
My dress is gorgeous and shiny and travels poorly. Thank goodness the hotel is obviously used to hosting these types of events. Agent Lauren texted me after she steamed her clothes and asked what I was doing. I said I was thinking about steaming my dress. And suddenly she appeared at my door, ready to steam some more. These are the types of things that thrill us, apparently.
Later we talked with Rob Brydon who said he’d been watching the setup from his window, so if it’s good enough for him. . . .
Congratulations--this was so fun to read about! Your dress looked great (even if it was a bad traveler). And I loved that you brought a copy of the book along. 😊🎉
Eeeek, congratulations!! You are living the dream as an author! 😍🎉