I just finalized my hosting assignment for the upcoming Books for Young Readers Symposium in July. It's a fabulous opportunity to mix it up with the always awesome faculty and introduce one of the speakers--a residual benefit of connections I made when I was a bookseller.
It's not hard to imagine that one of my favorite parts of that era was meeting so many interesting and talented people. Some of the highlights include:
Sitting right next to writer James Patterson at the Author Banquet for Literacy during a Mountains and Plains Booksellers Association trade show. I had a hard time reconciling the mind that came up with books like Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider with such a nice dinner companion. (But isn't that how the story always starts out?!)
Driving three-time Newbery honor book author Zilpha Keatley Snyder (The Egypt Game) to the airport after she spoke at a conference at Utah Valley State College (now University). She's led such a fascinating life, and I enjoyed talking with her immensely about all sorts of things. I just wish I could remember now what they were.
Meeting the voice of Blue from Blues Clues at BEA, the big national booksellers' trade show in New York City. And even better? I got to sit in the real thinking chair. Fans of the show will understand just exactly how cool that was.
1 comment:
The thinking chair? That would be cool!
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