Tag: autographed books

Deep Valley Book Festival recap

I’m both extremely charged up after yesterday and extremely tired. Somehow, both these feelings can coexist without any contradiction.

I enjoyed myself far more than I expected. I’m not only a committed introvert, but I’m also pretty shy. But I love talking about writing, and I love talking about books, and I got to do both yesterday. My table location in one of the room’s corners was a bonus for me. I felt quite comfortable there.

Some takeaways:

  • I wore some (cute, flowered) compression socks. 10/10 would recommend. My legs and feet felt great at the end of the day. No wonder nurses wear them.
  • My sweater was on point. Or rather, my daughter’s sweater was on point. Even Kate DiCamillo complimented it. In related news, this sweater is now mine.
  • People may not take a chance on a new-to-them author (although some did!), but they will take a chance on a five-dollar blind date with a book.
  • I made back my table fee and then some!

Some pictures:

My festival table setup

My author table setup—one small issue. The author packet said tablecloths were provided, but the festival had to switch venues, and, well, no tablecloths. Next time I’ll know to pack one. On the plus side, this gave me a chance to see what other authors use before I buy anything.

Me at my author table

Me (obviously) at my table (also obviously)

Me with Kate DiCamillo

Me with Kate DiCamillo with the signed collector’s edition of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane for my daughter. I’m hoping this is a fair exchange for the sweater.

Books 2008: Autographs and Ritas

autograph

Somehow during 2008 I managed to collect all these autographed books without really trying. And of course, Andrew and I got to meet John Green last year. I was going to post this earlier, but I was missing a book for the photo I wanted to take. So we ended up looking for … wait for it … Looking For Alaska.

It’s difficult to tell in the photo, but we probably should’ve bought two copiess of Looking for Alaska, one to keep in pristine condition and the other for Andrew to tote around in his backpack.

So. Books. Made of Awesome. Also awesome is when you get free books in the mail. This year, I get to judge the Ritas (and I totally forgot to sign up to judge the Golden Heart, but considering my schedule, it’s probably just as well).

But that’s about all I can say. I don’t think I can even mention the categories I’m judging at this point–it’s all very super secret double probation. But I will say I have an interesting variety.

Some updates:

This year, a new entry will be added to encyclopedias everywhere. When you look up “installation guide factory,” there will be a picture of me huddled over my laptop at work.

I am still managing to write despite this. I’m nobody’s speed demon (but then, I never write that way), but I’m up to 15,000 words in Dating on the Dork Side. Hey, I’ll take it.