Nothing
could have prepared me for the magnitude and scope of this event. It took up
most of the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson and drew a crowd
between 120,000 – 150,000 thousand people!
The
best part was that the attendees were readers, intent upon meeting authors and
attending their workshops and presentations. I was torn between signing books
at my publisher’s booth (Two Cats Press) and attending some of the incredible
programs.
Highlights
for me included chatting with R.L. Stine (I lucked out because he happened to
be standing next to our booth), watching Lois Lowry mesmerize a crowed of
middle schoolers, and nearly accosting C.J. Box because I needed him to sign
books from the neighbor ladies on my street!
(You were right ladies – he was adorable! Not to mention extremely sweet
and gregarious).
One
of R.L. Stine’s illustrators, Trip Park, was my former student back in Ithaca,
NY. R.L. Stine enjoyed hearing about Trip’s talent way back then.
Authors
Margi Evans, Gale Leach and Beth Cornell shared the Two Cats Press booth and tantalized
readers with tales from our writing, suggestions for meditation ( Beth ) and
non-stop chit-chat.
The
most challenging part of the experience was dealing with the heat and high
winds on Saturday but attendees were undaunted and we were really energized. I’m
making plans to attend next year!!!
PHOTOS: The
handsome dude in the black Stetson is C.J. Box.
The grey haired lady signing books is Lois Lowry. The other grey haired lady talking with a reader is Margi Evans. Other photos include my husband,
James Clapp, in our booth, and me with a wonderful reader.
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