My Web Site - Decatur Book Festival, 9-2-06

Decatur Book Festival, 9-2-06

After Rick Spears was invited to present at the Decatur Book Festival on September 2 and 3, I was invited to join him. Then Darby Creek decided to sponsor a festival booth. If only Roxy had been there, it would have been complete bliss. You were there in spirit, Roxy. This was the booth. Notice my fellow Darby Creek authors Vicky Shecter (Alexander the Great) and Gail Karwoski (Miracle, Tsunami) inside the booth. They are both amazing women and writers. I'm so glad I got to meet them.

Darby Creek made this great Bigfoot stand-up to support TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS -- I get it soon to take to my school visits. Won't that make for great class pictures? This is 9-year-old Justin from Decatur helping me show the world how the stand up is supposed to work. Isn't he GREAT? Many thanks to Justin and his mom for giving me permission to use his picture.

A few mementoes from the festival. There is an AJC fan that saved my life in the humidity -- a fan I made Rick draw on for me. Sorry I was such a pain, Rick. But I'll cherish it. There is an AUTHOR button we each got for presenting. There is a Decatur Book Festival exhibitor's badge my editor Tanya gave me...she knows I collect them. And there is a sticker from the Little Shop of Stories bookstore that sponsored the children's stage. Thanks Diane. And thanks Darren. It was a joy to be part of the festival.

Here I am with my friend and illustrator Rick Spears the night before I had to fly back to Spokane. I have known Rick for almost 20 years, but I hadn't seen him in person for ten. I cried when he had to leave, as dumb as that is. And I know it's dumb. But he's like a brother to me and suddenly I thought, "What if it IS another ten years?" I'm glad he's not as sappy as I am. But he's really special to me and I couldn't help it. Sorry again Rick. I'll do better in ten years when we meet up again...I promise. My new friend, Hester Bass, took this photo for me. Thanks Hester. I can't wait to hear your new book has sold to Candlewick. : )