By Cynthia Leitich Smith

Thanks to Candlewick Press, TLA’s YART librarians, Mackin, the Book Festivals of Texas booth, my fellow authors, the other exhibitors, the other attending children’s-YA librarians (and teens!), and everyone else who pitched in to make this year’s TLA convention in Fort Worth such a success!

Spirit of Texas YA author panel with librarian Natasha Benway, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Gail Giles, Jennifer Ziegler & C.C. Hunter

With fellow SPOT author C.C.

Austin public librarians Michelle Beebower & Nichole Chagnon

Candlewick “family” dinner with Deborah Noyes, Sharon Hancock, Tanya Lee Stone, Hilary Van Dusen, Jon Klassen, Jenny Choy & Greg Leitich Smith at Ellerbe Fine Foods in Fort Worth

The next day, I signed in the author area and at the Mackin booth

Greg, E. Kristin Anderson & Rachel Caine signing at the Book Festivals of Texas booth

With librarians Natasha Benway & Tabatha Perry in the Book Festivals of Texas booth

Greg’s Chronal Engine editor Daniel Nayeri (also a YA author & HMH publishing pro)

Greg with librarian Naomi Bates

Kathi Appelt signing ARCs of The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp

Jane Yolen

Kelly Bennett shows of Vampire Baby at the Candlewick booth

Highlights of the convention included meeting Jon Klassen — very personable, nice guy!

Chris Rylander

With Victoria Scott, modeling The Collector

Mari Mancusi models Scorched

Rosemary & Greg model Spirit and Dust

Tim Tingle has his own booth

With Mary E. Pearson in the green room before the Texas Tea

My table with Deb & Round Rock librarians at the Texas Tea (authors rotated from one table to the next)

With Jenni Holm at the Omni

Okay, I’m not a librarian, but I couldn’t resist!

Cynsational Notes

See also TLA Convention Photo Reports from P.J. Hoover and Greg Leitich Smith.