First: Big congratulations to my homegirl Emily Wing Smith for winning the Utah Book Award for The Way He Lived. It was very fun to share the moment with her and see her get much deserved recognition for her beautiful book. Read it!

Now, Utah People. Do you even know how fantastic your book festival is going to be? Gary Soto. Michael Cunningham. Carlotta Walls LaNier (one of the Little Rock Nine) in conversation with Salt Lake’s own Rev. France Davis. And many other fabulous people. As a reminder:

Shannon Hale and I will be in conversation with each other – Saturday, October 24 – 4:30 p.m. – Main Library auditorium. (1 hour)

The whole schedule is here.

And, as if that were not enough, Isaiah Sheffer is traveling here far, far from his home turf of Symphony Space to produce an episode of Selected Shorts right here in our very own Salt Lake City, for national broadcast. Actors from both coasts are being flown in to make this happen. (Please God, let one of them be Mark Ruffalo.) Do you understand and appreciate how much of a Big Deal this is? For a fan of Selected Shorts, like me, it’s the biggest. Unless you are flying to New York every month, this is a rare, rare opportunity to be part of the live audience. I am so there.

Selected Shorts – Sunday, October 25 – 2 p.m.  – Main Library auditorium (2 hours)