I survived the drive home on I-15 to report that the book festival was a success. I found out about halfway through that it was the FIRST Provo Children’s Book Festival, but you’d never know it because the library crew did a great job organizing. All of the book fest staff were easily identified by their purple aprons, there were several different signing spaces, art by the illustrators in attendance hung on the walls, and every kid got a little commemorative autograph book. I loved this because 1) not every kid can afford to buy a book to get signed. I would have been one of those kids. And, 2) having a little something to take home makes the kid feel good about libraries, authors, and book festivals. Good, right? Right! And, it gave the kids something to do while they were wandering around between presentations and provided a fun chance for interaction with readers (and for me, future readers).

Ann Dee and I mixed it up a little for our presentation: I book-talked This Is What I Did: and read a favorite excerpt, and she did the same for Story of a Girl. Then we each talked about our second books, and did some Q&A and hopefully gave some encouragement to aspiring authors by showing that we, too, are crazy and insecure and lazy. It’s not just you. Also, Ann Dee read from her 2009 release, Everything Is Fine, and it was so good. I’m all excited.

Here we are with Mette Harrison, who ran a half marathon this morning, and then drove an hour and a half each way for the fest. Hello, ironwoman! We are all heeding Tyra’s advice and doing our best to not lose our necks. I believe that is Julie Olson’s art hanging behind us.

A fan of The 13th Reality…

And thank God I had my camera with me, because I encountered this a few blocks from my house on the way home:

I have no idea. On that note, enjoy the rest of your weekend!

now playing: Pierce Pettis – God Believes In You