I think that woman with the black feather boa is one of the poetry nominees. Ushered through the grand ballroom upstairs to the press pen, the Bookreporter staff arrives early and is rewarded by some books authored by the nominees still on their table, not yet picked over by the other members of the press. Two books are surreptitiously snuck into a bag. Food is served, not the gourmet fare the guests receive below, but slightly stale sandwiches, fruit, and cookies. This was inhaled by the famished press, all ready with pen in hand, to take notes on the impending event.
Heads shake in confusion, the press titters while the din below escalates.
Someone says, A friend of a friend is dating Steve Martin. Several people casually lean in to hear more. But nothing more is offered. Oh, I loved it. I wrote about it in our new feature, Word of Mouth.