Meeting authors at book events

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The event was lots of fun.  Elizabeth Spann Craig and three other Berkley authors spoke in a panel forum for a group of people who, quite honestly, loved them.  At one point, a reader practically begged Elizabeth to write another Myrtle Clover book--the same woman who had copies of nearly every one of the authors' books in her oversize purse.

And let me tell you, Elizabeth is gorgeous!  She looks so serene and ballet-beautiful in her pictures, but in person she has these fabulous dimples and a life that takes over her face when she talks or smiles.  And she smiles a lot. :)  Her answers were the best of the group, short but direct, and I didn't see any of the shyness she touts.  Great job, Elizabeth.

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The other three authors were Jennifer Stanley (Ellery Adams), Avery Aames, and Krista Davis.  They each have unique, strong voices, and they played off of each other beautifully.  These ladies blog together at Killer Characters, and Avery, Krista, and Elizabeth blog on Mystery Lovers' Kitchen.

There was only one awkward moment, and I mention it only because I was sort of close to the situation and I think there's a lesson for any book events you all might hold.  Let me set it up...

For about an hour, the four authors answered questions posed to them by their media escort--a hard-working, dry-humored woman.  Everything was going fine, laughing audience members and all, but then they took questions from the audience.  There was one silly question (do you all use KGB-style killing methods in your writing?), but most of the inquiries were book-specific.  Near the end, the sweet, old lady next to me asked, "How did you find your first publisher?" and the media escort was all over her! 

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"That's one of my no-no questions," she countered.  "You'll have to ask that elsewhere (or 'later,' I don't remember the last word)."  And the woman deflated.  She looked at me with sad eyes and I immediately told her it was a great question.

This was NOT the fault of the authors, but it definitely insulted a potential buyer.  I believe she left right after the panel while others stuck around to buy books and have them signed.

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Here is the lesson: there is no wrong question at media events and never make someone feel bad for wanting to know something.  Once again, this was no fault of the authors, and I'm sure the media escort didn't mean to insult anyone either.  But a better response would have been, "That is a question that requires a long answer, and I'm sorry, we don't have time."

Have you ever had an awkward question posed to you at a book event?  How did you handle it?
-or, alternatively-
Have you ever met someone in person you knew only through blogging?  How did it go?