Event Report: 2011 Texas Book Festival

What an honor it was to participate in the 2011 Texas Book Festival as a featured author!

Thank you to Clay Smith and the rest of the festival staff, volunteers (many of whom were librarians), donors, hosts, exhibitors, booksellers, fellow book creators, and everyone else who joined in the fun!

A personal highlight was the chance to reconnect with Vermont College of Fine Arts graduates (and former advisees) Michelle Knudsen and Kate Hosford.

The festivities opened with the children’s-YA book creator party on Friday night at the home of David and Amy Roberts. Here’s YA authors Libba Bray and Jill S. Alexander chatting on the lawn.

Austinites Margo Rabb and Liz Garton Scanlon.

VCFA alum Clete Barrett Smith with Barry Lyga and Libba.

The festival itself is held at the State Capitol Building, its bordering streets, and other nearby locations.

Exhibitor tents line the streets.

Texas author (and yet another VCFA alum) Kelly Bennett at the Bright Sky Press booth.

Barry and I meet with Kirkus Reviews editor Vicky Smith in the author tent. Our topic was graphic novels, and Vicky did a great job as moderator. Special thanks to everyone who turned out for our session! Note: my festival book was Tantalize: Kieren’s Story, illustrated by Ming Doyle (Candlewick, 2011).

Festival director AKA Superman Clay Smith.

Author-illustrator Don Tate and Austin SCBWI ARA Carmen Oliver.

Authors Jennifer Ziegler and Jessica Lee Anderson.

Authors P.J. Hoover and David Davis chat at the Saturday evening cocktail party.

I’d love to share photos of the YA author event at the Texas State Cemetery, which was a remarkable setting and great fun. However, the lighting (or rather lack thereof) wasn’t cooperative. Feel free to imagine authors in a graveyard. I was seated between Kathy Reichs and Jessica.