The Rollergirl Book Signing

On Tuesday night, I attended the BookPeople event for the ultimate Rollergirl book by TXRG's Melicious. First of all, I simply HAVE to say that I'm a big fan of Mel's. Even though the ARGB is completely non-denominational in our derby LOVE when it comes to Austin Rollergirls & Austin Roller Derby, for me personally...well, I'm a fan of Mel's & what she's accomplished, both on & off the track. It's not everyday a Rollergirl publishes a book. And it doesn't hurt either that she's been very kind to me & a friend of the Blog ever since I 1st started it back in January 2006, even taking time out of her busy days to trade emails w/ me & comment here on the blog several times over the last year. Nope, it doesn't hurt at all. ;o)

The event itself was really cool. There were Texas Rollergirls rolling around for a lite demonstration at the beginning. (Which I'm sorry to say I missed because I was a tad late, so no pics, but my blog-ner in crime tells me it was pretty awesome. Definitely the most action the hardwood 2nd-story floors of BookPeople has seen in years, if ever.) Mel did several readings from her book, including sections about the 2006 Dust Devil, finding her Rollergirl persona, the "sweet" smell of a Rollergirl & her pads, as well as the infamous 1st SxSW bout that fueled the split between the nation's 1st modern day Rollergirl league. The whole reading was very light-hearted & funny, except a bit of nervous quiet during the SxSW reading that was quickly followed by the hilarious insight into the desperate laundering of smelly rollergirl knee pads. Loved it!

The Texas Rollergirls in the audience were introduced, which was neat cause I didn't realize I was actually sitting next one. (My Rollergirl radar isn't quite what it should be, I guess.) Melicious also fielded questions from the audience, which was fun especially cause the audience was a tad shy but threw some interesting ones out nevertheless. I have to admit that I had a question, but wasn't sure how appropriate it was. (Wanted to know what the relationship between the 2 Austin leagues were like now vs 5 years ago. Frankly, I didn't want to put Mel on the spot with a possible highly political question.)

The whole evening was great. I got to meet some very cool-cats, like TXRG Superfan Phil Arnold, Chip Queso, Vendetta von Dutch, and so forth. I got my book signed & got to chat up Mel for a minute. (The book is doing well, as is the book tour. Melicious won't be back ripping up the track until April due to her book commitments.)

Be sure to pick up the book, it's a great read. A MUST if you are a Rollergirl, thinking about becoming one, or just a fan.

Melicious reading from Rollergirl.

Mel signing my book.

Melicious & Skate Bettie :o)

Rollergirl Officially Released Today!

The book Rollergirl: Totally True Tales From the Track is now available in every awesome bookstore near you! So skate to your nearest bookstore & pick up a copy.

The book was written by Melissa Joulwan, aka "Melicious", from the Texas Rollergirls. (She rolls for the Hot Rod Honeys.)

You can order the book through the official site: http://www.rollergirlthebook.com. It's also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, & other book stores.

I've already picked up my copies today from Barnes & Noble during my lunch hour. (You will find it in, where else, the Sports section.) It looks really cool. I kept thumbing through it at stop lights on my way back to work. The people behind me were getting REALLY mad. It's already hard to put down & I haven't even started reading it yet. But as soon as I finish it, I will post a book review here.

Rollergirl Book Available Feb. 6th!

In case you are living under a rock, or perhaps trapped under one, the book Rollergirl: Totally True Tales From the Track will be available, in every awesome bookstore near you, on Tuesday, February 6, 2007! The book was written by Melissa Joulwan, aka "Melicious", from the Texas Rollergirls. (She rolls for the Hot Rod Honeys.)

The book is said to be, (I haven't read it yet, but plan on doing it VERY soon & blogging my book review), both an account of her own experiences in Roller Derby as well as a flat-track "Bible", of sorts, in the art & grassroots craft of starting, managing, & marketing a flat track roller derby. (Check out the interview she gave to the "Rollergirl Blog-father" Wayne Hurlbert radio show on the business behind Roller Derby.)

I, for one, think this book is a fan-fucking-tastic idea! Roller Derby is already growing by leaps & bounds. In the last year alone, the # of Texas based rollergirl leagues has ALMOST doubled. It grew from 8 leagues to 13 from Feb 2006 to Feb 2007. (That includes both banked & flat track Texas leagues...& this is an "unofficial" count & research done by myself, Skate Bettie.)

Yet now, with the publication of Rollergirl, all "any girl" in "anytown, USA" needs to start her own Rollergirl flat track league is a local roller skating rink who is game, a group of kickass ladies, & THIS book. Nice!

You can pre-order the book through the official site: http://www.rollergirlthebook.com. It's also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, & other book stores.

The official Austin book signing is on 2/20/07 at BookPeople, on 6th & Lamar, with Melicious & some of the other Texas Rollergirls. For other appearances, go Here.

Stay Tuned!

Texas Rollergirl Melicious on Internet Radio TODAY!

In just a few more hours, kiddies, one of my favorite Texas Rollergirls Melicious will be on Wayne Hurlbert's Blog Talk Radio show. Of course, you all probably know Wayne, who is truly THE Rollergirl Blogfather, for his awesome all-things-Roller-Derby blog Wayne's Derby World.

At 7pm central time, Melissa "Melicious" Joulwan will spend an hour chatting with Wayne about her new book Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track, the world of Flat Track Roller Derby, & the "owned by the skaters for the skaters" DIY business behind the sport.

If you miss it live, you can also download a podcast from the Archived Segments.